Foxdale Railway

At Foxdale the line was extended beyond the limits to serve the mine workings with temporary track, notably for use transporting spoils for use in creating the Royal Air Force base at Andreas in 1940.

Shortly after the line had opened, the lead mining industry started to decline and in July 1891 (1891-07) the Foxdale company went into liquidation.

The fortunes of the Manx Northern Railway were closely tied to the Foxdale line due to the terms of the lease being favourable to the smaller concern.

The line saw troop specials during World War II as well as spoil trains and the occasional passenger service, run due to bus shortages.

The station at the other end of the line is extant; it was used as a youth club for local children for a number of years before becoming the home of the Foxdale Heritage Centre; it also served for a period as the headquarters of the Manx Flux Co., Ltd.

The famous "scissors" crossing behind the station is still said to be in situ, although unknown to most people as it is buried underneath a bank of hardcore from the mines.

For several years after trains ceased the area was surrounded with mines "deads" leading it to gain the nickname "the back of the moon".

The Manx Northern Railway purchased a more powerful locomotive to work goods services over the branch and its steep gradients which was given the name Caledonia owing to the company chairman's Scottish ancestry.

The abandoned station at St. John's which served the line; today this remains as a private residence and is similar to that at the other end.
Share Certificate, 1888
Station Road in Foxdale, the line bisected the road in the dip at the bottom serving the mine workings beyond the passenger station limits, especially for spoils workings in 1940.
Recent view from the former trackbed of the line which is mostly a footpath save for the removed bridges where alternative access must be made by pedestrians; the gradient on the route is predominantly 1 in 46
M.N.Ry. No.4 Caledonia which was purchased to operate the line from its opening and remains in use today; seen displayed at Douglas Station prior to entering the Isle of Man Railway Museum in 1975.