No.9 Douglas Project

 FOR ALL FURTHER UPDATES ON PROGRESS WITH THE LOCOMOTIVE PLEASE VISIT THE SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.iomsrsa.org

  Work on the cosmetic restoration of No.9 in the running shed at Douglas Station is progressing with attention currently being focused on the pony truck which has been removed from the frames and has been pressure washed ahead of preparing for painting.  Once this is complete it will be returned to the locomotive and volunteers' attention will turn to the frames prior to the boiler being refitted.

Following the success and excellent progress made on similar cosmetic works carried out on No.5 Mona , the Supporters' Association are now commencing similar cosmetic work to No.9 Douglas with an aim to the locomotive being able to participate in the 150th anniversary celebrations of Peel Line in July of this year.  While work continues on No.5 at Port St. Mary, as it nears completion volunteers will also focus on similar treatment for No.9. The Association has a long history with the locomotive dating back to an ill-fated attempt to restore her to steam back in 1977 which was aborted, but the funds from which eventually used to commence work on the flagship project in restoring the Groudle Glen Railway. Decades later our attention returns to the locomotive, albeit with less ambition in the short term, so she can hopefully take part in the July celebrations. A further more detailed announcement will be made to members in the forthcoming edition of our official journal Manx Steam Ra

Whilst working on the cosmetic restoration of sister No.5 Mona at Port St. Mary, volunteers from the Association took the fledgling step of working on the chimney from No.9 as a first initial step toward cosmetic restoration, the first piece of the jigsaw complete!

The locomotive frames were returned to Douglas from Port Erin by road in November 2022 and took up residence in the running shed, also seen in the process of having a different pony truck fitted in the workshops, and bearing a yuletide message, perhaps a late present was to be gifted...? sghsdfgh

Following the removal of asbestos, the frames were stored in the carriage shed at Port Erin Station having been treated to a preparatory coat of red oxide paint; the boiler was stored under a tarpaulin on the bogie well wagon on the "Peel East" siding at Douglas Station for the duration.

Some views of No.9 Douglas before and during removal of asbestos which was undertaken by contractors in the former goods shed at Port St. Mary Station in the summer of 2020