This is another edition of “Picture in Time” and it again features a photo of the Manx Electric Railway in 2004.
We’re at Laxey Station for this image as we see Paddlebox 26 and a trailer. There aren’t any passengers on board as it stands on the northbound line so it may possibly have terminated here or be on a tour which is now enjoying a break for photos.
26 was built in 1898 as trailer 21 and after its number doubled to 42 in 1899 it would become a motor in 1903. This is when it received the number 26 for the first time and aside from a few special renumberings for enthusiast events has remained as 26 ever since.
It would run for the last time in 2009 and since then has flitted between Derby Castle and Laxey Car Sheds for storage. It currently calls Laxey Car Sheds home, as it has since 2024.
Photograph by David Mee, 30th July 2004