Sodor Ironworks

The **Sodor Ironworks**, also known as the **Peel Godred Electric Company, the Foundry** and **the Smelter's Yard**, is a large metal foundry, where scrap metal is delivered, melted down and repurposed.

## History

In 1923, the Peel Godred Electric Company, a subsidiary of the British Aluminium Company, was formed to build a dam and hydro-electric power station utilising the waters of the three lakes, Corloey, Dubbyn Moar and Loey Machan. A standard gauge railway was needed to transport their bulky equipment as the line clearance on the Mid-Sodor Railway was too narrow, so the company negotiated with the North Western Railway to build a branch line from Killdane to Peel Godred, for which the company paid half the costs. The Electric Company initially considered using the Mid-Sodor Railway, and while port facilities at Arlesburgh were adequate, the slim clearances on the Mountain Road proved an insuperable obstacle. When the line opened, the Mid-Sodor would face closure later on.

The Peel Godred Electric Company was formed, and also the Ironworks that was being built at Peel Godred. Beyond the town station and goods yard, the line continues for a mile or so before fanning out into the sidings at the Ironworks. Scrap metal is brought from Crocks Scrap Yard to here, where it is processed into ingots before being sent to the Mainland via Barrow-in-Furness.

In 1938, the company bought Falcon and Stuart from the closed Mid-Sodor Railway to assist in an expansion project at the Ironworks, and the two engines, after standing sheeted under tarpaulins for the better part of a year, were sold in 1958 to Mr. Percival for the Skarloey Railway at the knockdown price of £25 each. (£942.56 in today's money)

The main building on the site is a large warehouse known as the Smelter's Shed. Inside the shed are a number of different tracks, a turntable, the manager's office, and a large claw known as the "Grabber".

The outside of the Ironworks is littered with twisted pieces of scrap metal, including those of old steam locomotives. Because of this, many of the engines find the Ironworks to be rather spooky, especially so during the night, when falling sparks illuminate scary shadows inside the Smelter's shed.

When Stepney from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex accidentally lost his way in the mist, he wound up at the Ironworks. 'Arry and Bert, the Ironworks' resident diesel shunters, attempted to scrap him using the "Grabber" but were fortunately stopped just in time by Sir Bertram Topham Hatt and told them off that he was a visitor to his railway and the fact that he came from a heritage railway on the Mainland in which they were unaware of.

Donald once accidentally backed through a set of buffers and into a pit there. Thankfully, Douglas came to his rescue.

While working at the Sodor Cement Works, Diesel tricked Fergus into going to the Ironworks, with the little engine being scared off. After Thomas found Fergus, Sir Bertram Topham Hatt sent Diesel to work at the Ironworks as punishment.

One Halloween, Thomas and Emily had to collect some iron from here, where 'Arry and Bert played tricks to scare them. While on the turntable inside the smelting shed, Emily was covered by a tarpaulin, scaring Thomas, 'Arry and Bert into thinking she was a ghost engine.