A small but dedicated band of people has been diligently working away improving Castletown railway station since March 2012.
And now they want to officially set up the friends of the station and invite more to join them at a meeting at 11am at the station on Saturday.
Since they first joined forces to enhance this very picturesque station, they have carried out many projects. A number of items – such as old photographs and ephemera – have been donated, many of which are on display in the waiting room.
The original station clock has been reinstated, as are the original benches and the porter’s trolley; a fireside rug replaces the modern carpet and a fireside chair is in the waiting room; the original 1874 ticket hatch has been re-opened; and the concrete triskellion on the platform has been restored.
Last year, both coal fires were in use (one for the first time since the 1950s) and were alight thanks to donations from members of the public. Although not in use at present, they hope to reinstate them.
Group founder Carol Quine thanked all those who have helped, including Douglas Robinson of Bolton, Iain MacKinley of Andreas and The Signmann of Laxey. She also thanked local politicians and government departments for their support.