The Isle of Man had an extensive network of three foot gauge railways, built by two companies. Today the Douglas to Port Erin line is still in operation with much of the original stock.
Our kits are made in etched brass with whitemetal castings and preformed roofs. They are all available in 4mm scale to run on 009 track or the correct 12mm gauge. Some are also available in 7mm scale with brass roofs and run on 16.5mm or 21mm gauge.
4NGC1 THE FOXDALE COACH
Manx Northern No. 17
Isle of Man Railway F39
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4NGC2 M.N.R. 6wheel CLEMINSON THIRD
Manx Northern 5-14/Isle of Man Railway N44-N51
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Also available in 7mm scale as 7NGC1
Built in 1886 by Oldburys for the Manx Northern as a Brake Third. The independant Foxdale Railway was worked by the MNR and
No. 17 provided the passenger accomodation until it closed.
In 1887 one compartment was upgraded to first class, possibly to placate the Foxdale mine manager Captain Kitto since it is
sometimes refered to as Kitto's coach. In 1900 it was renumbered 15 to make way for two new coaches from Hurst Nelson.
When the Isle of Man Railway took over the MNR No.15 was renumbered again as F39. It can still be ridden in today, running between Douglas and Port Erin, although extra windows have been added in the duckets and van doors. |
Also available in 7mm scale as 7NGC2
Ten coaches were built in 1879 by the Swansea Wagon Company for the opening of the Manx Northern Railway. They had Cleminson
patent six wheeled underframes where each axle ran in a separate pivoted frame. Each frame was interconnected in such a way
that they 'steered' around curves in the track.
There was no form of continuous braking on the MNR so Nos 5 and 6 were fitted with a brakemans compartment, No.8 was similarly converted at a later date. Partitions and glazing were changed over me years and are allowed for in the kit.
Unlike the Foxdale Coach none of the Cleminson six wheelers are running today on the Isle of Man, but two of these thirds have been privately preserved. |
4NGC3 M.N.R. 6 wheeled CLEMINSON COMPOSITE
Manx Northen Railway Nos 3 & 4/Isle of Man Railway N42-N43 |
4NGC4 M.N.R. 6wheeled CLEMINSON FIRST
Manx Northern 1 & 2/Isle of Man Railway N40 & N41 |
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Also available in 7mm scale as 7NGC3
Two composites were built in 1879 in the same style as the thirds. The bodies were divided into four compartments. Two large
first class compartments in the centre were flanked by two tiny third class compartments. In 1880 the Ramsey end compartment of each coach was converted to a guards compartment with a brake wheel. They were then frequently used on the through services to Douglas.
Both vehicles were later downgraded to third, numbered N42 and N43, and survived until 1975. N42 was purchased by the IOM Railway Society and in 1976 it was restored and is now displayed in the Port Erin Railway Museum. |
Also available in 7mm scale as 7NGC4
Two firsts were built in 1879 and on takeover by the Isle of Man Railway were renumbered N40 and N41. No.1 was largely
unmodified, although reduced to third class in 1920. It is now privately preserved.
No.2 was rebuilt internally in 1902 and reclassified as a third saloon. In 1964 the body was brought to Douglas and mounted on a concrete base as the engine shed mess room. Originally painted a dull green (as a mess hut), it was repainted in the later MNR livery in 1992 and the following year regained its number N41. It has now been removed for private preservation. |
4NGC5 I.O.M.R. Guard/Third of 1876
Isle of Man Railway F1-F6
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4NGC6 I.O.M.R. Guard/Third or Guard/Composite of 1881
I.O.M.R. No.s F7-F8
I.O.M.R. Third of 1881
I.O.M.R. No.s F9-F12
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The first bogie coaches for the IOMR, built by Brown Marshall. At one end was a brakemans compartment, which was also used by
passengers at peak periods. Some of the compartments only had seatback height partitions. Unfortunately all these carriages
were scrapped before nationalization. |
F7 and F8 were built by Ashbury as Guard/Thirds, with a brakemans compartment at one end. Later the two central compartments
were upgraded to first class. These coaches were built for service all over the IOMR system but in later years were more
common on the Ramsey and Peel lines, along with the other wooden framed coaches. None of these coaches have survived on the Island.
F9-F12 were built by Brown Marshall and had identical sides to F7-F8.They differed in not having the brakemans compartment
F9-F11 have all survived and are still running, F9 having been rebuilt in 1994. |
4NGC7 I.O.M.R. Guard/Composite of 1894
I.O.M.R. No.s F13-F14 |
4NGC8 I.O.M.R. Guard/Third of 1894/96
I.O.M.R. No.s F16-F18 and F25-F26 |
These two coaches were built by Brown Marshall. As before they had timber underframes with the body panels covering the solebars but the lower panels were curved in a tumblehome. There were two first class compartments in the centre of the coach. Neither of these vehicles has survived. |
F16-F18 were built by Brown Marshall and F24-F25 were built by their successors Metropolitan. They followed FI3-F14 with tumblehome to the bodyside but reverted to the Guard/Third layout. F18 is still in service. F25 and F26 await restoration, while F21 is at Cavan in Eire, condition unknown. |
4NGC9 LO.M.R Brake Third
I.O.M.R. No.s F19-F20
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4NGC10 The 'Empress Vans' Bogie Full Brakes of 1897
I.O.M.R No.s F27-F28 |
F19 was built by Brown Marshall in 1894 and F20 by their successors Metropolitan in 1896. Although following the style of the previous batches of stock they differed by being three compartment brake thirds. Half the body was given over to luggage and a guard’s compartment. In addition to end windows the guard had projecting duckets. Both these vehicles have been scrapped. |
Both were built by Metropolitan for the carriage of luggage and parcels traffic. They were very similar in style to FI 9-F20, with end duckets, but the whole body was given over to luggage space. F27 languishes in Douglas carriage shed awaiting repair while F28 is running (2000). |
4NGC11 I.O.M.R. Third Class Saloons I.O.M.R No.s F29-F32 |
4NGC12 I.O.M.R Composite Saloons I.O.M.R No.s F35-F36 |
These saloon coaches were supplied in 1905 by Metropolitan as part of modernisation scheme following takeover of the Manx Northern. When delivered they were considered the best stock the company had. All have been modified internally over the years, F31 and F32 were part of the gangwayed 'Bar Set’. All are still running however.
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Built by Metropolitan at the same time as F29-F32 these two saloons were the most luxurious on the Island. The first class sections were sumptuously upholstered and paneled in wood. The third class was more basic, having reversible tram type seats. They were used singly, or as a complete train for special occasions such as Tynwald day or the Bradden open air services.
Both coaches survive. F35 has been heavily modified as part of the bar set with gangways at either end to connect it to two third class saloons. F36 was frequently used on special visits such as the Queen Mother, It now spends most of its time in the Post Erin Museum, but has been seen out on the line for enthusiast parties & is now the only saloon substantially as built. It now has plate bogies which are available as an extra. |
