Maurice Faragher, Isle of Man Railway’s former Engineering
Superintendent (1983-1995), has recently been interviewed by current MER motorman
Chris Callow on behalf of Culture Vannin. Maurice recalls his life including employment
with the MER over many years.
“Maurice Faragher tells the story of his life, from his early childhood in Laxey through to his long-term connection with the Manx Electric Railway.
Starting with stories of his family, Maurice begins with tales of his maternal and paternal grandfathers whose backgrounds were in mining and milling in Lonan, Maughold and beyond. He also recounts stories of his great-grandfather John Faragher who was a miller at Ballacregga Mill and other mills and later worked on charabancs from the Bungalow to Tholt y Will. Maurice's father worked for the Knox family on South Quay Douglas before working on the MER, and then spent some time in the USA before returning to help his father with a coal business on Laxey promenade.
Maurice was born on 12 May 1935 in Old Laxey, and he here recollects a village very different to how some might think of it today. After school, he was apprenticed to Jack Faragher Electrical Engineer in Well Road Hill, Douglas, where a fellow apprentice was Alan Wilcox.
Maurice followed a friend to sea, working as an electrical engineer in the merchant navy, travelling to West Africa, Angola and the USA. After 7 years away, Maurice came ashore and married Moira Clague in 1962.
His first work on the MER was seasonal but, after a time at Ramsey Shipyard, he returned to a full-time post. His first role was on the overhead gang but later progressed to be an electrician responsible for poles, wires and substations. The family connection had continued, his uncle Jonny Corkill was a driver on the Snaefell Line, in the day when a driver kept his own tram for the whole season.
Maurice rose through the ranks to become yard foreman, and then deputy chief-engineer. During his time at the MER, he saw it join with the steam railway, creating interesting new challenges and experiences.
Away from the Railway he also served on the Board of Laxey and Onchan Commissioners and had a long and influential association with Laxey Football Club.”
The full interview can be listened to HERE