Did the Isle of Man once have a railway line that crossed another? At Foxdale Heritage Centre, the answer awaits, etched in the remnants of a unique past. Foxdale Heritage Centre itself stands as a testament to this history. The building was once the terminus of the Foxdale Railway. This railway line, which opened in 1886, had the distinction of crossing over the Isle of Man Railway’s Douglas line via an overbridge. This was the only place on the Isle of Man where two railway lines intersected at different levels. The Foxdale Railway served the local mining industry. It transported lead ore out of Foxdale and brought in coal and supplies. The line ran from St. John’s, climbing steadily uphill through a small request stop called Waterfall or Waterfalls, before reaching its final destination in Upper Foxdale. Imagine the chugging of the little train as it made its way up the incline, carrying its precious cargo. The Foxdale Railway even extended beyond the passenger terminus further into the mine workings. This extension allowed for the transport of spoils, particularly during World War II when material was needed for the construction of the RAF base at Andreas. The Foxdale Heritage Centre stands on the site of the former Foxdale terminus building. This building survived the closure of the line and even served as a youth club for a time. Today, it houses the Heritage Centre, preserving the memories of this intriguing chapter in Foxdale’s history.
The Curragh Nature Reserve
Wallabies in the Isle of Man? The Curragh Nature Reserve is full of surprises. This wetland area has a rich