Isle of Man Railway level crossings and points of interest
Encyclopedia
One of the characteristics of the Isle of Man Railway
are the numerous level crossings and farm crossings along the various routes; many smaller crossing places are marked only by gates the criss-cross farm land and provide access to individual private roads which connect the farms to the main roads. Being largely rural in nature the railway has many of these scattered along the existing South Line, and there were, as one might expect, many more on the closed sections of the railway. These can be summarised as follows, along with other points of interest along the line not covered in the Isle of Man Railway stations
section:-
and can be found on the south side of Santon station; it serves an adjoining farm of the same name. The crossing was provided with a small hut similar in style to the one at Mill Road further along the line and this is retained though out of use, being constructed of slatted timber with corrugated iron roof.
. It has been unmanned since automation in 2002 when the traditional level crossing gates were replaced with modern lifting barrier controls. This crossing, despite only serving a nearby farm, is typical of the rural community and features a large (now derelict) gatekeeper's two storey house, once alleged to have been home to "Blackcurrant Jack", somewhat of a local legend who was once employed as crossing keeper and used to walk the line collecting blackberries for making jam between the train services.
, which was automated in 2002; prior to this the crossing was manned, and featured traditional crossing gates. The road it carries over the railway line leads only to a private dwelling. 54.100°N 4.612°W
railway station and consisting of a basic wooden hut for the gatekeeper to the side of the line. Being located close by the town it was never "fully manned" but merely attended at the relevant train times in latter years. By 2002 the crossing was automated but the small hut remains in place today, though is now unused. The crossing serves a private dwelling which is clearly visible from the passing train, and is a large mill (now defunct) and farmhouse. 54.078°N 4.652°W
and Level
on the southern portion of the line. 54.092°N 4.715°W
and Port St Mary
on south line of the railway which remains open today. It consists of a crossing keepers' lodge which is now disused since the introduction of automatic crossing barriers in 2002 and provides access to the farm of the same name through means of through road which connects the "back" Colby
road to the main coast road. The crossing lodge is larger than many others on the railway and was substantial enough to have provided residential accommodation for the keeper in the past, effectively being twice the size of the original structure. This is clear upon viewing the building from a passing train. 54.088°N 4.730°W
and was crossed by means of a lattice work frame by the passing trains. Today the stanchions remain but the framework was removed in 1975, the railway having closed in 1968. 54.271°N 4.598°W
operated the line to Ramsey
in 1968. Prior to this it had been nothing more than a farm crossing which boasted its own lodge, still in existence today; the "Wild Life Park" was established here in late 1967 and the railway installed an ad-hoc halt here the following year, with temporary platform area and fencing. Today, you cross over the remaining rails in the macadam on the way into the park, and the trackbed stretches out virtually straight either side of you, but the rails are the only hint of the line's existence. At one time there was a siding laid here but little is known of its use and it did not last long. The embankment on which it sat is sometimes visible in a nearby field however.54.315°N 4.517°W
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
are the numerous level crossings and farm crossings along the various routes; many smaller crossing places are marked only by gates the criss-cross farm land and provide access to individual private roads which connect the farms to the main roads. Being largely rural in nature the railway has many of these scattered along the existing South Line, and there were, as one might expect, many more on the closed sections of the railway. These can be summarised as follows, along with other points of interest along the line not covered in the Isle of Man Railway stations
Isle of Man Railway stations
This article details each of the lines operated by the Isle of Man Railway, including the original line to Peel in the west, opened in 1873, followed by the Port Erin line the following year , as well as the Manx Northern Railway's line between St John's and Ramsey and the Foxdale Railway's line...
section:-
BallonnaBalley Lonna
This is the first "proper" level crossing on the south line of the Isle of Man RailwayIsle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
and can be found on the south side of Santon station; it serves an adjoining farm of the same name. The crossing was provided with a small hut similar in style to the one at Mill Road further along the line and this is retained though out of use, being constructed of slatted timber with corrugated iron roof.
BallastrangBalley Strang
This crossing is complete with its own (now privately owned) crossing lodge which was sold off and replaced with a common or garden shed in more recent years. The crossing was the subject of controversy in 2002 when all crossings on the railway were automated. The local farmer who utilises the crossing refused to allow the railway to install the automatic barriers as it had elsewhere and so therefore this remains the final surviving manned occupational level crossing on the railway, and indeed on the island.BallawoodsBalley Wood
A farm crossing on the approach to the station at BallasallaBallasalla railway station
Ballasalla Railway Station is located in the village of Ballasalla in the south of the Isle of Man, close to the airport, and is served on a seasonal basis by the Isle of Man Railway...
. It has been unmanned since automation in 2002 when the traditional level crossing gates were replaced with modern lifting barrier controls. This crossing, despite only serving a nearby farm, is typical of the rural community and features a large (now derelict) gatekeeper's two storey house, once alleged to have been home to "Blackcurrant Jack", somewhat of a local legend who was once employed as crossing keeper and used to walk the line collecting blackberries for making jam between the train services.
BallahickBalley Hick
A level crossing the northerly side of Ballasalla stationBallasalla railway station
Ballasalla Railway Station is located in the village of Ballasalla in the south of the Isle of Man, close to the airport, and is served on a seasonal basis by the Isle of Man Railway...
, which was automated in 2002; prior to this the crossing was manned, and featured traditional crossing gates. The road it carries over the railway line leads only to a private dwelling. 54.100°N 4.612°W
Mill RoadRaad Mwyllin
A small level-crossing situated on the southerly side of CastletownCastletown
Castletown is a town geographically within the Malew parish of the Isle of Man but administered separately. Lying at the south of the island, it is the former Manx capital. The centre of town is dominated by Castle Rushen, a well-preserved castle.-History:...
railway station and consisting of a basic wooden hut for the gatekeeper to the side of the line. Being located close by the town it was never "fully manned" but merely attended at the relevant train times in latter years. By 2002 the crossing was automated but the small hut remains in place today, though is now unused. The crossing serves a private dwelling which is clearly visible from the passing train, and is a large mill (now defunct) and farmhouse. 54.078°N 4.652°W
KentraughKentraugh
A small farm track which had, until 2002, a seasonally manned level crossing. Until automation there was a creosoted shed for the crossing keeper, but the crossing was rarely manned between trains and staff usually attended at the relevant train times on the timetable. The crossing is located between the stations at ColbyColby railway station
Colby Station is a small station on the southern edge of the village of Colby in the south of the Isle of Man served by the Isle of Man Railway; it forms part of the sole remaining section of the network which once covered over 46 miles island-wide.-Origins:...
and Level
Level railway station
The Level is a request stop on the Isle of Man Railway located in the sheading of Rushen on the Isle of Man. This is the sole remaining section of the railway which once spanned over 46 miles.-Locale:...
on the southern portion of the line. 54.092°N 4.715°W
BallagawneBalley Gawne
A level crossing situated between the stations of LevelLevel railway station
The Level is a request stop on the Isle of Man Railway located in the sheading of Rushen on the Isle of Man. This is the sole remaining section of the railway which once spanned over 46 miles.-Locale:...
and Port St Mary
Port St Mary railway station
Port St. Mary Railway Station is a station in Port St Mary in the south of the Isle of Man and is served by the Isle of Man Railway, having first opened in 1874 when the line to nearby Port Erin was completed...
on south line of the railway which remains open today. It consists of a crossing keepers' lodge which is now disused since the introduction of automatic crossing barriers in 2002 and provides access to the farm of the same name through means of through road which connects the "back" Colby
Colby
- People :As a surname:* Anita Colby , actress* Anthony Colby , Governor of New Hampshire* Bainbridge Colby * Barbara Colby , actress* C.B...
road to the main coast road. The crossing lodge is larger than many others on the railway and was substantial enough to have provided residential accommodation for the keeper in the past, effectively being twice the size of the original structure. This is clear upon viewing the building from a passing train. 54.088°N 4.730°W
Four RoadsKiare Raaidyn
Bissecting the main coastal road between Castletown and Port Erin, this crossing still boasts its own stone-built gatekeepers' hut and the gatekeepers' house remains extant on the southern side of the line although this is now a private residence. A roundabout further up the highway has also gained this title, taken from the railway's crossing.54.084°N 4.736°WThe Peel Line
- QuarterbridgeQuarterbridgeQuarterbridge Crossing was the first major crossing point of the Isle of Man Railway's first line to Peel and was opened in 1873, closing in 1968 with the rest of the line.-History:...
- BallacraineBallacraine railway station-Origins:Originally opened in 1876 the halt provided a stopping place for the short walk to Glen Helen until 1879. Later in 1927 the halt was used again mainly by spectators attending the TT Races at Ballacraine.-Closure:...
- Glenfaba Mill
- Knockaloe Branch
Glen Mooar Viaduct
The first and smaller of two viaducts on the Manx Northern RailwayManx Northern Railway
The Manx Northern Railway was the second common carrier railway built in the Isle of Man. It operated as an independent concern only from 1879 to 1905.- History :...
and was crossed by means of a lattice work frame by the passing trains. Today the stanchions remain but the framework was removed in 1975, the railway having closed in 1968. 54.271°N 4.598°W
- Orrisdale №1 54.304°N 4.569°W
- Orrisdale №2 54.305°N 4.564°W
- West BerkWest Berk railway stationWest Berk was a station on the Manx Northern Railway, later owned and operated by the Isle of Man Railway; it served a small areas near Kirk Michael in the Isle of Man and was an intermediate stopping place on a line that ran between St...
Ballavolley HaltStaad Balley Vollagh
Only operational in the last year that the Isle of Man RailwayIsle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
operated the line to Ramsey
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
in 1968. Prior to this it had been nothing more than a farm crossing which boasted its own lodge, still in existence today; the "Wild Life Park" was established here in late 1967 and the railway installed an ad-hoc halt here the following year, with temporary platform area and fencing. Today, you cross over the remaining rails in the macadam on the way into the park, and the trackbed stretches out virtually straight either side of you, but the rails are the only hint of the line's existence. At one time there was a siding laid here but little is known of its use and it did not last long. The embankment on which it sat is sometimes visible in a nearby field however.54.315°N 4.517°W
- Milntown 54.323°N 4.402°W
- Quayside Extension