It has been announced that a Ratchet Car is to be restored back to working order on the Manx Electric Railway with no. 14 having recently been moved back to the Derby Castle Sheds where the work will be undertaken. No Ratchet Car has been in operation on the MER since the early part of the 21st century so this restoration will fill in a gap in the operational fleet when the work has been completed.
The Ratchet Cars are so-called because they were not fitted with air brakes which meant that the drivers had to rely o the ratchet hand braking system but this contributed to their downfall. There are only eight Ratchets of which no. 14 was the first delivered to the Isle of Man in 1898 (the others are 15, 17, 18 and 28–31). This car last carried passengers in 1978 when it was withdrawn from passenger service but it did remain operational until 1982 being used by the Overhead Line Department.
Initially stored at Derby Castle Sheds some electrical work was undertaken in the mid-1980s with a view to returning it to service but this did not progress far and the tram remained stored in Douglas until 1996 when it was moved for further storage at Laxey. A further move followed in 2002 when it left MER metals for storage at Homefield Bus Garage but in 2009 it was moved again, this time to Ramsey Car Sheds. But then at the end of last year with Ramsey Car Sheds due for demolition it was moved back to Laxey.
There were rumours last year that a Ratchet Car would be returned to use and after discussions it was decided that no. 14 was in the best condition for a return to service – despite the shunting accident damage on one end panel suffered in 1997. So in March this year the car received a truck and was moved back to Derby Castle Sheds for the restoration to take place.
It is planned that 14 will be restored to 1920s condition including the correct trucks, traction motors, controllers and livery for this period.
The enthusiast website Manx Electric Railway.co.uk are assisting in the restoration – full details can be found at http://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/latest-news/ratchet-restoration/.
I find it incredible that 14 is in better condition than either
18 or 31. I suspect these two will be robbed for parts.
However its very welcome news.
Hi Andy, I’m afraid the report is slightly wrong. 14 wasn’t in as good condition as 18/31 however, with the overhaul of No.14 mainly contributing to the training of M.E.R. apprentices on heavy repair and overhaul of trams, a car with both a more historical precident (Being the first Crossbench car delivered to the island in 1898 ) as well as requiring more comprehensive work was chosen.
No.31 has donated its milnes S3 trucks (which have previously been under car no.17 as well as locomotive no.23) which have had little use since their overhaul in 1973 however both 18/31 will donate any further parts. No.14, although cosmetically poor, is surprisingly structurally sound and complete which will assist with restoration.
Cheers,
Dave
ManxElectricRailway.co.uk
( sorry, 18/31 will NOT be used for any further parts!)
Dave
Dave, how can you be certain that 14 was the first of its type to be built or even delivered? Numerically 14 is the first Ratchet Car, do we know if the 14 -18 batch were delivered in one go or in dribbs and drabs. On this basis there is nothing to siggest
that 18 is any less historically significant than 14.