Isle of Man Railway level crossings and points of interest

One of the characteristics of the Isle of Man Railway are the numerous level crossings and farm crossings along the various routes; many smaller crossing places are marked only by gates the criss-cross farm land and provide access to individual private roads which connect the farms to the main roads. Being largely rural in nature the railway has many of these scattered along the existing South Line, and there were, as one might expect, many more on the closed sections of the railway. These can be summarised as follows, along with other points of interest along the line not covered in the Isle of Man Railway stations section:-

The South Line

Ballonna & Ballastrang

Ballonna and Ballastrang are the first two "proper" level crossings on the south line of the Isle of Man Railway and are on the south side of Santon station; they serve two adjoining farms of the same names. Ballonna was provided with a small hut similar in style to the one at Mill Road further along the line.

Ballastrang is complete with its own (now privately owned) crossing lodge which was sold off and replaced with a common or garden shed in more recent years. The latter crossing was the subject of controversy in 2002 when all crossings on the railway were automated. The local farmer who utilises the crossing refused to allow the railway to install the automatic barriers as it had elsewhere and so therefore this remains the final surviving manned level crossing on the railway, and indeed on the island.

Ballawoods

A farm crossing on the approach to the station at Ballasalla. It has been unmanned since automation in 2002 when the traditional level crossing gates were replaced with modern lifting barrier controls. This crossing, despite only serving a nearby farm, is typical of the rural community and features a large (now derelict) gatekeeper's two storey house, once alleged to have been home to "Blackcurrant Jack", somewhat of a local legend who was once employed as crossing keeper and used to walk the line collecting blackberries for making jam between the train services.

Ballahick

A level crossing the northerly side of Ballasalla station, which was automated in 2002; prior to this the crossing was manned, and featured traditional crossing gates. The road it carries over the railway line leads only to a private dwelling. coord|54.100|-4.612|display=inline|name=Ballahick|region:IM_type:landmark

Mill Road

A small level-crossing situated on the southerly side of Castletown railway station and consisting of a basic wooden hut for the gatekeeper to the side of the line. Being located close by the town it was never "fully manned" but merely attended at the relevant train times in latter years. By 2002 the crossing was automated but the small hut remains in place today, though is now unused. The crossing serves a private dwelling which is clearly visible from the passing train, and is a large mill (now defunct) and farmhouse. coord|54.078|-4.652|display=inline|name=Mill Road|region:IM_type:landmark

Kentraugh

A small farm track which had, until 2002, a seasonally manned level crossing.

Until automation there was a creosoted shed for the crossing keeper, but the crossing was rarely manned between trains and staff usually attended at the relevant train times on the timetable. The crossing is located between the stations at Colby and Level on the southern portion of the line. coord|54.092|-4.715|display=inline|name=Kentraugh|region:IM_type:landmark

Ballagawne

A level crossing situated between the stations of Level and Port St Mary on south line of the railway which remains open today. It consists of a crossing keepers' lodge which is now disused since the introduction of automatic crossing barriers in 2002 and provides access to the farm of the same name through means of through road which connects the "back" Colby road to the main coast road. The crossing lodge is larger than many others on the railway and was substantial enough to have provided residential accommodation for the keeper in the past, effectively being twice the size of the original structure. This is clear upon viewing the building from a passing train. coord|54.088|-4.730|display=inline|name=Ballagawne|region:IM_type:landmark

Four Roads

The Peel Line

*Quarterbridge
* Ballacraine
* Glenfaba Mill
* Knockaloe Branch

The North Line

* Gob-y-Deigan
* Devil's Elbow

Glen Mooar Viaduct

The first and smaller of two viaducts on the Manx Northern Railway and was crossed by means of a lattice work frame by the passing trains. Today the stanchions remain but the framework was removed in 1975, the railway having closed in 1968. coord|54.271|-4.598|display=inline|region:IM_type:landmark

* Orrisdale №1 coord|54.304|-4.569|display=inline|name=Orrisdale №1|region:IM_type:landmark
* Orrisdale №2 coord|54.305|-4.564|display=inline|name=Orrisdale №2|region:IM_type:landmark
* West Berk

Ballavolley Halt

Only operational in the last year that the Isle of Man Railway operated the line to Ramsey in 1968. Prior to this it had been nothing more than a farm crossing which boasted its own lodge, still in existence today; the "Wild Life Park" was established here in late 1967 and the railway installed an ad-hoc halt here the following year, with temporary platform area and fencing. Today, you cross over the remaining rails in the macadam on the way into the park, and the trackbed stretches out virtually straight either side of you, but the rails are the only hint of the line's existence. At one time there was a siding laid here but little is known of its use and it did not last long. The embankment on which it sat is sometimes visible in a nearby field however.coord|54.315|-4.517|display=inline|name=Ballavolley Halt|region:IM_type:landmark
* Milntown coord|54.323|-4.402|display=inline|name=Milntown |region:IM_type:landmark
* Quayside Extension

ee also

* Isle of Man Railway stations
* Isle of Man Railway