Registered Building Status is being sought for seven significant structures currently or once part of the Island's Heritage Railway network. These include three major viaducts on the M.E.R., two iconic buildings still part of the Douglas Steam Railway station, and two former station buildings on now-closed sections of the I.M.R. The public have until 15th August 2025 to submit comments to the Department regarding the proposed registration.
Proposals for listing on the M.E.R. include Groudle viaduct, Laxey viaduct, and the recently refurbished Ballure Bridge on the outskirts of Ramsey. On the steam railway, the Douglas Station workshops are up for registration, along with the signal box. The latter was threatened with demolition as recently as 1998 as part of the Bank's Circus bus scheme, only to be saved by efforts of, amongst others, Capt. Stephen Carter MBE, who organised moving the structure on a concrete raft to its present location in order to accommodate the new bus workshop and head offices.
Elsewhere, the former I.M.R. Peel terminus building, now part of the Manx Museum's 'House of Manannan' complex, is proposed for Registered Building status, as well as the former Ballaugh Railway Station, which now serves as a fire station.
Over two hundred and fifty buildings of all kinds are currently on the Department's register. Registration is designed to protect a building from demolition and unsympathetic alteration.
Details of these new listings, including some very well-put-together historical notes and photos likely to be of great interest to transport enthusiasts, can be found on the recently revamped DEFA website, where information about many other already registered strictures around the Island can also be found (recommended).