Mark V, nicknamed "Ivo's Flying Bedstead" by the railway staff, is a petrol driven trolley that the Thin Controller and Mr. Hugh use to get around the Skarloey Railway.
Mr. Ivo Hugh built the first trolley shortly after 1953 in the Railway's own workshops. By 1987, after three other trolleys, he was using Mark V. It is parked at the siding near Cros-ny-Cuirn station and Mr. Hugh uses it to patrol the line and travels on it to and from Crovan's Gate every day. It is commonly known as "Ivo’s Flying Bedstead". [1]
Technical Details
Basis
Ivo's Flying Bedstead is based on the Talyllyn Railway's "Toby", a small four-wheeled personal carrier that can pull a couple of wagons if required.
It was built by John Bate from a second hand Austin 7 engine and gearbox, mounted on a custom-made chassis. It entered service in 1955, and was predominantly used by engineers for transportation to worksites. "Toby" was named after Toby the Tram Engine, a character created by the Rev. W. Awdry.
