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 Car 28 and Trailer 36 are seen at Lag Birragh on an obviously grey and chilly day judging by the number of roller shutters pulled down on the tram to protect the passengers from the wind at this exposed location. 28 has been stored out of service for many years, it is believed that 28 was the first Ratchet to be withdrawn and probably last saw use in 1967 as a works car in connection with the rebuilding of the retaining wall at Ballaragh. Today 28 presents a poor sight being heavily stripped of electrical equipment including controllers and trolley. Photo R.F. Mack |
 Car 29 was the only Ratchet Car to receive nationalisation green livery, traces of which can still be seen poking through its current red coat of paint. 29 has been stored out of use since 1979 and in this view taken during October 1997 is enduring a period of open storage on the Goods Siding at Laxey. 29 appears to be in relatively good condition and seems to be only missing a trolley. 29 is currently stored at Derby Castle Depot. Photo: A. Spencer |
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 After withdrawal from use in the late 1970s and a spell as Wire Car, 31 spent over a decade in storage at Laxey Car Sheds alongside other disused stock. 31 was subsequently transferred to Derby Castle Works for overhaul and a repaint in 1992 (its first since 1973) in time to celebrate the Centenary of the MER during 1993. Unfortunately 31 saw little use as it was continually dogged with electrical faults. 31 is shown here keeping MER Loco 23 company on the headshunt at Laxey Car Sheds on the morning of 7th September 1993, the 100th anniversary of the coastal tramway opening as far as Groudle Glen. Photo: A. Spencer |
 A very smart looking Car 31 is pictured again on 7th September 1993 as it runs off Glen Roy viaduct to make its way through Laxey Sation to assemble with the other cars which were to form the Centenary Procession. Once the event was over, Car 31 returned to Douglas in service, just one of a number of unusual passenger workings to be noted throughout the day, even Locomotive 23 returned South carrying a limited number of passengers who had to scramble aboard. In an effort to improve reliability 31 later received the trucks from Car 17 (which included the last set of ancient ECC motors to be fully rewound) which had been utilised under Loco 23 during the Year of Railways celebrations. Following the demise of Car 18, 31 was the last operational Ratchet Car, it has been stored out of use since late 2002 having only operated a handful of times since being retrucked earlier in the year. Photo: A. Spencer |
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