Plaque for island's only original railway station

Castletown is the only original steam railway station that remains on the island

The 150th anniversary of the only original steam railway station that remains on the Isle of Man is to be celebrated with the unveiling of a special plaque.

Friday's event at Castletown Station is being held during the Isle of Man annual Heritage Transport Festival.

The celebrations from 15:30 BST include rides on a vintage carriage and the display of a restored 1874 locomotive, with the unveiling at 18:45 BST by president of the Friends of Castletown Railway Station Tony Brown.

Secretary of the friends group and stationmaster Grant Taylor said it was the "sole remaining original building" along the railway from 1874.

The station opened in 1874

The southern line, which runs from Douglas to Port Erin, was the only remaining part of the formerly 46-mile (74km) railway network on the island, and the only surviving steam railway that has remained in use in Europe, Mr Taylor said.

Castletown Station had remained "mostly untouched" since it opened, which was "unique", he said.

The building featured in the live action Thomas the Tank Engine film, called Thomas and the Magic Railroad, as well as Channel Four's live version of Cinderella.

The station also has a royal connection - on a visit to the island in August 1972, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip boarded the train there for a trip into Douglas.

The plaque was funded by Castletown Heritage, and organised by the Friends of Castletown Railway Station.

The event, which will be attended by the island's lieutenant governor, will include Manx dances from Perree Bane and music from Balley Cashtal Brass.

Mr Taylor said that eventually the friends charity, which works to enhance the site, including preserving the original platform furniture, and signs, would like to use the old goods shed as a visitors centre.