The disgraced diesel loco dubbed ’the Cabbage’ has been on the move - albeit upwards rather than along the tracks.

This picture, sent in by a reader, shows diesel no.21 being lifted off its bogies and placed back in the bus yard at Bank’s Circus.

Some £246,800 has been spent on fixing the trouble-plagued loco so far - that’s on top of the £420,000 spent on its purchase from the States.

In April its bogies arrived back in the island after repairs in the UK.

Last month it went on a test run but it’s understood it didn’t get far before it had to be towed back to the depot.

And on Tuesday this week, the diesel was craned off its chassis so its wheels could be sent back to the UK for further adjustments.

Public transport director Ian Longworth said the overhauled bogies had been tested and found to require some modifications.

He said: ’We have agreed that they are better done at the contractors premises and so returned the bogies to them.

’We are expecting them back in around six weeks including time for transport.’

Asked to elaborate on what modifications are required, Mr Longworth replied: ’With no railway easily available to test the overhauled bogies in the UK we opted not to ship the whole loco and to have the bogies shipped back here for testing.

’We expected them to need adjustments to be made after the trial fit which will now take place.

’Only when the loco is together can you acutely set suspension heights and test bearings etc. As you would expect some adjustments are necessary.’

He added: ’There are no extra costs and the loco should operate on its return as we have tested all the systems in this process.’

No.21 arrived in the island in December 2013.

But various teething problems were soon identified including a problem with overheating.

The engine was subsequently replaced.

Then issues were identified with the bogies, and the diesel has not turned a wheel since June 2015.

Ironically, a simulator in Port Erin museum based on no.21 has likely completed more virtual miles than the real thing.