Mill Road Crossing
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One of many level crossings along the line, all of which were automated 2001-2002 during I.R.I.S. Scheme works; prior to this it was manned by a gatekeeper, who was provided with a timber-built lodge which remains on site today. Falling into disrepair latterly, it was fully restored by the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association in 2015 as the last surviving example of its type, with similar structures also existing at Ballalonna, Ballastrang, Ballahick and Kentraugh elsewhere on the line.
Today the crossing is automated, being activated by the stationmaster for southbound trains and via a treadle in the other direction. It stands beside Alexandra Road and is a popular location for photographers. Several other stone-built lodges survive along the line, notably at The Level, Ballagawne and Four Roads, all further south and similar to those provided for the Peel Line. The road it serves accesses the mill (Golden Meadow) in the adjacent field and therefore classes as an occupational crossing.
The traditional timber lodge was installed in the earliest days of the railway to protect the occupational crossing which served Golden Meadow Mill, the structure which can be seen in the distance of this archive scene.
A characterful scene with two lads posing on the crossing gates also showing the hut to good advantage with its stovepipe just seen protruding from the roof, the solitary form of heat for the gate keeper.
During stripping down for restoration the structure was relocated to the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station in early 2017 where the poor conditon can be seen, a full restoration was undertaken prior to reinstatement.
The fully restored lodge with No.4 Loch light engine on an evening run also sporting a commemorative wreath in honour of Mickey Venn, father of the regular driver Eddie, on the date of the funeral.
Lady gate keeper posed outside the hut in the summer of 1969 showing the rather overgrown line stretching out towards Pumphouse Curve, Silverburn Bridge and the station beyond; green and white or cream was the traditional scheme.
Latterly the structure was in a poor state of repair, having fallen out of use with the installation of automatic crossing barriers and removal of gates in 2001, the addition of unattractive warning signs doing little for the appeal!
The restored crossing lodge also illustrating the modern crossing barriers which are operated from the station for southbound trains, and activated via a rail-=mounted tredle for those arriving from the south; the modern plastic fencing is also somewhat at odds with the historic restored structure.
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