Single line staff from the Manx Northern Railway
Date made: early 20th century
Maker: unknown
Description: This is a single line staff from the Manx Northern Railway, for use on a stretch of line between Ramsey and Sulby Bridge.
It is made from a single piece of hardwood, shaped like a batton and with an inset brass strip, crudely hand stamped 'RAMSEY & SULBY BRIDGE'.
The single line staff was a safety device. An engine driver could not proceed on to a stretch of single line track unless he had the staff from the signalman at the junction. The Manx Northern Railway opened in 1879, linking Ramsey with the Isle of Man Railway network at St Johns. The terrain of the Island meant that the railway had to run out towards Kirk Michael before reaching Peel and St Johns. In 1905 the MNR was absorbed by the Isle of Man Railway.
Materials: metal: brass, wood
Object name: single line staff
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2006-0084