The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association hopes to repatriate an original Manx Northern Railway six-wheel carriage that is currently in outdoor storage in Norfolk.
The carriage dates from the railway's opening in 1879, and was moved from the island in 2012.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association has discussed with the Three Foot Gauge Society the feasibility of repatriating the carriage, and has held initial discussions with various organisations regarding where the carriage could be kept in covered storage as there is no space available on the railway itself.
So far, these discussions have had no results, so the association is appealing for help to accommodate the historic vehicle and ensure its retention on the island.
The carriage cannot be used operationally, although some remedial work has been carried out.
The carriage, which will need to be transported on a road trailer, is just over 30-feet long and around seven-feet wide without the overhang of couplings which can be removed if necessary.
Any potential accommodation will need to be sufficient to allow road access to a trailer and articulated unit. Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Association Chairman Mr. William P. Cubbon, “Thornhill, Bayrauyr Road, Ballamodha, Isle Of Man, IM9 4AT.
Originally one of a fleet of fourteen built by the Swansea Carriage & Wagon Co., to the unusual six-wheel “Cleminson” patent, only three other carriages from that order remain.
One has been completely restored by Association members and is back on the railway, the body of another is used for storage, and the third is part of a private collection off the island.
All of these are historically significant and rare three-foot gauge survivors.
The Association's website has full details of the carriage and its history, as well as details of its previous projects, including funding new locomotive boilers to the upkeep of wayside stations.
The Supporters' Association was instrumental in campaigning for the government to take over the railway in 1978.
Since then it has seen the return to service of 1874 locomotive No.4 Loch, new water tanks for Caledonia, three railway wagons, cosmetic restoration of locomotives, No.5 Mona, No.6 Peveril and No.9 Douglas.
Last year, the Isle of Man Treasury launched a consultation into the future of all railways on the island. The Groudle Glen Railway on the island has diversified by holding concerts to increase revenue.
Chairman Bill Cubbon said: “This represents a final throw of the dice to attempt to have this carriage returned home; we have been working closely with Robert Hendry to achieve this aim but thus far have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable home for the carriage, so we are now opening our appeal up to the general public in the hope that we can find a home for it.”
Has there been any discussion with the Southwold Railway Trust who have been looking after it at their Steamworks site in Southwold Suffolk.