Last Manx steam engine restored and returned home

The return of the last steam locomotive built on the Isle of Man has highlighted the importance of preserving industrial heritage for future generations, according to an engineer.

Annie was built by Groudle Glen superindendent Richard Booth in his garage in Laxey in 1998, and has now undergone a £100,000 restoration.

The locomotive became a familiar sight hauling trains along the Victorian seaside railway, carrying visitors from Onchan to Groudle Glen.

Alex Sharphouse, whose team at John Fowler Engineering in Cumbria spent two years restoring Annie, said preserving steam locomotives was increasingly important to preserve history for future generations.

He said: "The world's a funny place at the moment. It moves forward really quickly and all of a sudden there will become generations where people don't even understand what these things are about."

"This is our history," he added.

The restoration was funded through a legacy from the Williamson family and fundraising by volunteers and supporters.

Annie's homecoming was marked by an unusual journey behind another steam engine Talisman, a recreation of a 1925 Fowler "Big Lion" steam road locomotive built by Sharphouse and his team from original drawings.

"We decided it was really a fitting thing to bring her back to the Isle of Man by steam," he said.

He recalled the drive from the Lake District to Heysham to catch the ferry was met by warm receptions at the roadsides, at one stage met by a "group of people clapping on the side of the road".

For Sharphouse, restoring steam engines was more than a job.

He said: "I'm passionate about steam and anything traditional. I love the old techniques and the methods.

"I think it just becomes second nature to want to know how things work, to want to mend things, to want to save things."

Groudle Glen Railway volunteer James Quirk said Annie's return carried particular significance because of its role in Manx heritage.

"It's a privilege to be here today and be part of such a special day in bringing Annie back to the Isle of Man," he said.

Quirk said railways remained an important part of the island's identity.

"We've all got to work together and want to get the best out of the island, bring people in and make sure tourism's thriving still.

"Annie's part of that."

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.