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THE WINDOW GAZER’S GUIDEto the Isle of Man Steam Railway

Douglas Station was built in 1873 for the opening of the Peel line. It was a wooden structure built on land reclaimed from the

River Douglas. The present red brick building was constructed between 1887 and 1913 and in its heyday accommodated passengers for up to 100 trains a day. Note the signal box built in 1892 on the left of the platform. As you depart you will pass railway workshops and carriage sheds on the right. The line runs adjacent to the formation of the former Peel line, passes a trading estate then crosses the River Douglas on the steel Nunnery Bridge. By the 2nd milepost you will have climbed 200ft and can enjoy fine sea views running along the cliffs at Keristal for half a mile before curving sharply into

Port Soderick Station. Originally the stationmaster and his family would have occupied the upper floor but the building

is now in private ownership. You have travelled just over 3 miles and your journey continues through coniferous woodland then on past Crogga House set in beautiful gardens including an ornamental lake and its own miniature Crogga Valley Railway, which you can follow on facebook. Shortly after passing under Ballacostain Bridge and along an embankment there is a sign on your right marking the ‘summit’ of the line. The highest point is 209 feet (63.7 metres). The line curves to the right, crossing a small glen, Glen Vurleigh, then plunges deep into a cutting from which it emerges to travel onto a low embankment, under the Old Castletown Road on its high stone bridge and into

Santon Station. This is the sole remaining example of the original design of wooden station constructed for the start of

services in 1874. It was initially intended to name the station Ballavale but management decided Santon better reflected the district served. Up to the 1960s much of the station’s revenue was generated from the carriage of farm animals and produce. Few passengers now use the station and

Welcome aboard the Isle of Man Steam Railway. Here is some information about the journey from Douglas to Port Erin that we hope will enhance your trip.

it is a request stop. On leaving Santon the train passes under the New Castletown Road beneath the Valley Crest Bridge. The train traverses a short deep cutting before emerging onto a high curved embankment over the Santon Burn. A few hundred yards further on the line crosses a farm road which leads up from Fairy Bridge. There is an automated crossing here but a little further along is Ballastrang Crossing, the last manually operated crossing on the Island.

As we continue to Ballasalla the main road crosses over the railway at Blackboards Bridge. It was so named because tall, vertical black painted wooden panels were originally attached to the bridge parapet in order that steam trains did not frighten horses on the road. As the line emerges into farmland you will see across to Langness and Ronaldsway Airport, which in 1275 was the site of a battle fought between the Manx and the Scots. Next is

Ballasalla Station, rebuilt in 1986. This is where steam trains often cross. You will see the drivers hand over a staff via the

stationmaster before continuing, either here or at Castletown. On leaving Ballasalla the train crosses the main Douglas to Castletown Road, passes through a housing estate then under a bridge with no connecting road at one end. On the right you can see the Silverburn River, which follows the track as it snakes towards Castletown. In times gone by crews would draw water out of the Silverburn for the steam locomotives. The building with the clock tower in the distance is King William’s College. Then we come to

Ronaldsway Halt, a request stop serving the airport, opened in 1967. Next we pass Great Meadow,

a one-time race course and on to

Castletown Station, a fine twin-gabled building constructed out of limestone quarried at Scarlett. The Isle of Man Steam

Railway was the inspiration for the Reverend W Awdry to pen the Thomas the Tank Engine stories and in 2000 the motion picture Thomas And The Magic Railroad was filmed on location here.

On leaving Castletown you will see the town dominated by the well preserved medieval fortress Castle Rushen. The train heads over Mill Road crossing then runs near to the Southern 100 motorcycle course. Next it

DOUGLASDoolish

PORT SODERICKPurt Soderick

SANTONSkylley Stondane

BALLASALLABalley Sallagh

CASTLETOWNBalley Chashtal

RONALDSWAY HALTStad Roonysvaie

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Locos in service

Year built 1874

Withdrawn from service 1995

Returned to service 2002

Seen (place):

Date:

Year built 1908

Withdrawn from service 2001

Returned to service 2009

Seen (place):

Date:

No.4 Loch

No.12 Hutchinson

Year built 1894

Withdrawn from service 1967

Returned to service 1998

Seen (place):

Date:

No.8 Fenella

Year built 1885

Withdrawn from service 1968, 2009

Returned to service 1995, 2013

Seen (place):

Date:

No.15 Caledonia

Year built 1905

Withdrawn from service 1977

Returned to service 1993

Seen (place):

Date:

No.10 G.H. Wood

Year built 2013

Entered service July 2014

Seen (place):

Date:

No. 21 diesel electric

passes through a deep cutting to emerge into a rural landscape dotted with farms and villages. To your right are the peaks of Cronk ny Arrey Laa (Hill of the Rising Day), reputed to have been a place of sacrifice 2000 years ago. The railway crosses a narrow stream known as Dumb River simply because it makes no sound. It was dug by the monks of Rushen Abbey to drain farmland. Next is

Ballabeg, a request stop at some distance from the village. The Ballabeg Women’s Institute looks after the flowers.

The line crosses farmland for another mile until

Colby Station. Alight here to visit Colby Glen and the nearby pub named after it. From Colby it is only ¾ mile to the next station,

The Level, a request stop popular with walkers, with a platform only 15 feet long. Normally the driver will stop the train with

the rear half of the carriages by the platform. The train continues to

Port St Mary Station, a large red brick building built on a grand scale that reflects what a major resort it was in Victorian times.

As you leave the station you’ll see a standing stone in the field, and it’s only another ¾ mile to go before arriving at

Port Erin Station. The spacious station facilities built in 1903 retain their Edwardian splendour. The line opened in 1874 and

proved so popular that at one time there was another platform and siding where the bus parking is today. Adjacent to the station is the Railway Museum in what was the goods shed and bus garage.

COLBY

THE LEVELYn Laare

PORT St.MARYPurt Le Moirrey

BALLABEGBalley Beg

PORT ERINPurt Chiarn

Map of line and places to visit

RAMSEY

DHOON GLEN

BALLAGLASS

BALLAJORA

LEWAIGUE

BELLE VUE

BUNGALOW

SNAEFELL

Snaefell Mountain Railway

Manx Electric Railway

1. Douglas – the Island’s capital, with shops, art galleries and the Gaiety Theatre and Villa Marina in the middle of Douglas promenade. The Manx Museum is a 10 minute walk from the station building which houses the booking office for special events, regular services and Dining Car specials plus The Tickethall café serving hot and cold refreshments and its famous fireman’s breakfasts.

2. Port Soderick – Alight here to visit a small glen near the station that leads down to a shingle beach, popular for barbecues.

3. Ballasalla – just past the halfway point at 83/8 miles from Douglas. A short distance from the station are Rushen Abbey and the 14th century Monks Bridge plus Silverdale Glen with its craft centre, boating lake and children’s playground.

4. Castletown – alight here to visit Castle Rushen, one of the world’s best preserved medieval fortresses. The Island’s ancient capital has retained its period charm and the Old House of Keys, the Old Grammar School and the Nautical Museum. Scarlett Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve nature trail is within walking distance.

5. Port St Mary – alight here to visit the harbour, golf course, shops, cafés and sheltered Chapel Beach. The section of coastal path between Port St Mary and Port Erin is arguably the most spectacular section and a good place to see nesting choughs or basking shark in the sea below, depending on the time of year.

6. Port Erin – the end of the line, some 151/2 miles south, gives access to a golden beach, Bradda Glen, numerous walks and boat trips to the Calf and coast. There are regular buses to Cregneash and The Sound. Before you leave, enjoy hot or cold drinks, cakes and snacks at the station’s Whistle Stop Coffee Shop.

7. Steam Railway Museum – Adjacent to Port Erin Station, the museum houses the royal train, out of service locomotives and displays of handbills, posters and tickets from the early days of the railway. Admission is £1 for adults, 50p per child.

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Flags and whistlesThe guard holds up his flags to indicate to the driver when the train is ready to depart. Sometimes he will show more than one flag conveying the following messages:

The train whistle serves as a warning that it is about to depart and also when approaching a station or level crossing plus at blind corners.

Green - Caution - proceed slowlyOn board the train: no-one has requested the next request stop

Red - Danger - stopOn board the train: stop at the next request stop

Yellow - Line clear - proceedOn board the train: the guard is on board

DOUGLAS 1

2

PORT SODERICK 31/8 miles

Kewaigue Bridge

Ballacostain

SUMMIT 209FT

SANTON 55/8 miles

BALLASALLA 83/8 miles

CALF OF MAN

CASTLETOWN97/8 miles

BALLABEG 111/2 miles

COLBY 123/4 miles

PORT ST MARY 143/4 miles

PORT ERIN151/2 miles

The Level 3

4

56&7

The Sound

Cregneash

R Ronaldsway Halt R R = Request Stop

R

R