Replica Cattle Dock Completed!
Replica Cattle Dock Completed!
Monday, 9th March 2026
Just in time for the start of the railway season the Friends Of... volunteer group are delighted to announce that one of their long-term projects has reached fruition; a replica of the long lost cattle dock has been reinstated on the goods platform in the station yard.
As part of the group's ongoing commitment to enhance the historic site and reinstate original features, the dock, which is based on drawings provided by member Ed More and limited photographic reference material, was erected by A.H. Contractors in early March.
Volunteers are to complete the structure by the application of preservative and the addition of one of the familiar Swan Vesta advertisement signs, featured on many of the dock across the network; the final piece will be an interpretive information panel.
The Friends Of... volunteers are extremely grateful to the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association, who, in their sixtieth anniversary year have funded this project which has been on the wish list for a number of years. It has been entirely funded by them.
The group are now investigating the possibility of applying stone cladding to the replacement water tower at the station which is due to be erected shortly. This will hopefully be achieved so that the modern structure closely resembles the original, demolished several years ago.
Working on the site ahead of the first trains of the season on 19th March continues, with volunteers erecting the period signage, putting out and painting the platform furniture which has been stored over the winter, and smartening up the site for the busy season ahead.