Headland Station ( Manx: ''Stashoon Howe'') was the temporary terminus of the

Groudle Glen Railway The Groudle Glen Railway ( Manx: ''Raad Yiarn Glion Ghroudal'') is a narrow gauge railway near Onchan in the Isle of Man, on the boundary of Onchan and Lonan, which is owned and operated by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers and oper ...

in the

Isle of Man ) , anthem = "O Land of Our Birth" , image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg , image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg , mapsize = , map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe , map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green) in Europe ...

between 1983 and 1991, after which time the line was reinstated to its original terminus at . It also served as the terminus between 1950 and 1962.

Origins

The station was created as the terminus of the line from the end of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

until closure in 1962. A landslide on the section following it ensured that the line was impassable upon reopening after the war and a run-round loop installed here to facilitate the locomotive

Polar Bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a hypercarnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the largest extant bear specie ...

running around its rake of coaches. At this time steps installed to serve the headland cafe which overlooked the picturesque beach below. The loop utilised a shortened section of what had originally been an extra long passing loop installed in the early years of the twentieth century, facilitating the passing of two trains without the need for either to draw to a halt. Upon closure the lines were lifted and the site became part of a footpath.

Reopening

Albeit slightly further along the line, from 1983 until the "extension" to Sea Lion Rocks opened in 1992, the area provided the outer terminus for the line, when resurrected by volunteers. The site was also the first workshop area until the line reached Lhen Coan in the spring of 1986 and the cleared site can be seen today from the passing train. At this time proposals were put forward for the erection of a stone-build hut based on the design of

level crossing A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, Trail, path, or (in rare situations) airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using an Overpass#Railway, overpass ...

keepers' huts on the

Isle of Man Railway The Isle of Man Railway (IMR) ( gv, Raad Yiarn Vannin) is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin on the Isle of Man. The line is narrow gauge and long. It is the remainder of what was a much ...

but ultimately the work was concentrated on the lower portion of the line. At the end of the 1991 season the loop was removed and the extension laid.

Resurrection

Once the line was reinstated to its full length in 1992, the line only had one rake of coaches and locomotive so there was no need for a passing loop here. It wasn't until 1994 when a second locomotive "Jack" arrived, that a smaller (three coach length) passing loop was installed on the site of the original (later) terminus to enable the restored line to operate two or three train operations. A siding, for the loading and unloading of locomotives and stock, spurs off the loop line and has been dubbed the "ski jump" owing to its steep gradient. This "ski jump" siding was removed in 2011, when the loop was relaid and doubled in length towards Sea Lion Rocks. A new siding is due to be laid in future years further around the corner towards Sea Lion Rocks on the site of the early 1980s siding that was laid during reconstruction of the line. This area of the line is ear-marked for a special halt by arrangement in the future for people with disabilities, as access to the railway is improved.

Route

References

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Sources

Railway's Official Website
(2009) I.o.M.S.R.S.A.
Island Island Images: Groudle Glen Railway Pages
(2003) Jon Wornham
Official Official Tourist Department Page
(2009) Isle Of Man Heritage Railways {{DEFAULTSORT:Headland Railway Station Groudle Glen Railway Railway stations in the Isle of Man Railway stations opened in 1951 Railway stations closed in 1991