No.5 Mona Project

The frames of the locomotive were delivered back to the railway today and are now stored in the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station to allow volunteer work to commence.  A visit has been made by Association representatives to ascertain what will be required. Our volunteers will be on site to begin work in de-greasing and de-scaling the inside of the frames prior to applying the paint.  It must be stressed that our volunteer activities will not include the final painting which will be done professionally. Can you help us? Donations to the No.5 project or any of the other various schemes currently ongoing can be made at our website   HERE  where full details are also available

Thanks to Fred Quaye for this selection of views from 26th January 2022 showing the frames of No,.5 being lifted at Balthane and returning to the railway at Port St. Mary. The boiler is presently stored at Port Erin on the well wagon.

16th November 2021  The frames of No.5 at J.C.K. in Balthane following preparation and return to the railway illustrating the condition of the bunker and rear buffer beam.  The frames of No.5 at J.C.K. in Balthane with the driving wheels still in spring green and the condition of the drivers' side water tanks to good effect. The frames of No.5 at J.C.K. in Balthane showing front end detail and cylinders with cladding condition and front buffer beam. The frames of No.5 at J.C.K. in Balthane showing drivers' side tanks with their patches and the uniquely shaped rear handrail on the bunker.

The boiler at Port Erin Station prior to preparation and paintin  31st July 2021 On the small well-wagon after the application of red oxide paint  22nd August 2021 The iconic brass chimney numeral after top-coating the smokebox 4th September 2021.

 18th July 2020 The painted numeral on the bunker which was stencilled and dimensions taken prior to any work; this was applied in 1967 and will be replicated. Work ongoing stripped ancillary parts from the locomotive ahead of being moved to Port St. Mary for decontamination of asbestos. On the loop line at Port Erin when being shunted to allow work to take place on stripping smaller parts before the removal of asbestos. The familar outline of a Beyer showing the condition of the locomotive prior to being taken to Port St. Mary for removal of asbestos.

The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association's latest conservation project and Fundraising Appeal are t o help restore e ngine No.5 Mona to public display condition after nearly 50 years in storage and partial dismantlement. Our fundraising target for the cosmetic restoration is £12,000.00. The cosmetic restoration involves: sourcing a number of fittings "borrowed" for service locos re-assembly of the locomotive a full clean painting and lining out fitting of brass nameplates and a brass numeral to the side tanks. The Association has secured an agreement to purchase one of the original name plates for re-fitting to No.5 Mona and from which a copy will be made and also fitted. B oth of the original name plates were sold with the engine into private ownership back in 1978. Working in partnership with Isle of Man Railways, the aim is to complete the cosmetic restoration in time for the 150th anniversary of the Railway in July 2023.

  No.5 on arrival at Port St. Mary with No.9  Douglas and No.18 Ailsa 2nd June 2020 Paused briefly at Colby Station on the way south for asbestos decontamination 2nd June 2020 Checking all is in order at Ballasalla Station on the way south 2nd June 2020

  No.5 shortly after removal from the old carriage shed prior to its demolition in 1999, the first time the locomotive had seen the light of day for nearly twenty years. In the carriage shed in 1994 shortly after No.6 Peveril had been removed for cosmetic restoration by the Supporters' Association; No.6 had been stored directly in front of No5.

Courtesy of Stephen Harris, these views from the summer of 1968 show No.5 in service on the south line at Ballasalla, Colby and Douglas.  

  Some views of No.5 in and around Douglas Station captured by the well known photographer the late H.C. Casserley showing her at the coaling stage; at this time the locomotive was carrying the then-standard post-war Indian Red livery with black/yellow lining detail.