Culdee Fell Railway

The Culdee Fell Railway is the only rack railway on Sodor. The chairman is Lord Harry Barrane and the manager is Mr. Walter Richards.



History
The line was a brainchild to the Mid Sodor Railway, which was planned to extend to Kirk Machan so passengers could change trains with the mountain trains. These plans were cancelled by Lord Peter Barrane, the landowner of the railway.

The Skarloey Railway seized the opportunity to gain more renevue by providing a shorter route up the mountain. The Railway eventually lost their tourist attraction to make Lord Peter change his mind. On February 1897, the first sod of the railway was cut by Lord Elaine Barrane, Lord Peter's oldest daughter.

When the Railway opened, Culdee was used as the test engine, to which everything went well. Everything went well until one day on a return journey, N0. 1, Godred fell off the mountain and was found to be far beyond the repairs they could afford, so they put him at the back of the sheds. As time grew on, the drivers used Godred's parts to mend the other engines.

When a stone was believed to have been lodged between two teeth and the rack rail that caused the accident, they found nothing proven. The railway was closed for the rest of the summer to make sure they made the railway was safe and prevent accidents like this. The line reopended Easter Monday 1901, and and has been running ever since, with occasional minor accidents like Lord Harry once had.

In the 1960's, Culdee and Shane Dooiney were sent to Switzerland to be overhauled, so Mr. Walter Richards bought three new engines to help out, Lord Harry, Alaric, and Eric. When the two came back, Lord Peter and Mr. Richards announced all repairs will be done at Crovan's Gate. The railway is open from Spring to Fall as because the line is under repair in Winter.

Engines and Rolling Stock
The Railway's first five engines were Godred, Ernest, Wilfred, Culdee, and Shane Dooiney. When Culdee and Shane Dooiney were sent away for overhauls, Mr. Richards bought Lord Harry (later renamed Patrick), Alaric, and Eric.

The rolling stock includes Catherine, The Truck, and other coaches, there is even an open-topped carriage for sunny days.

Map
The Railway starts at Kirk Machan and climbs to Shiloh. The line then runs pass the wildlife Sanctuary at Poll-ny-Chrink, then it continues to Skarloey Road, climbs Devil's Back, and ends at Summit Station on Culdee Fell.