The dodgy diesel loco has been fully operational for just 219 days since it arrived at the end of 2013, it was claimed in Tynwald.

But it has been out of service for 1,107 days. Latest repairs are being carried out under warranty.

In a written reply to a House of Keys question from Lawrie Hooper (LibVan, Ramsey), Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said the 219 days when the machine had been fully operational did not include its availability out of season.

He said the 1,107 days when it was out of service included a number of periods of training, testing and commissioning when it was operational but not used for service, as ’confidence was gained in its operation’.

Mr Harmer said the diesel was inoperable awaiting repairs from May 2015 to April 2019 and from October 2019 to the end of the 2019 season.

Curiously that adds up to rather more than 1,107 days.

The green machine was purchased at a cost of £420,000 to pull commuter, dining and maintenance trains as well as acting as a shunter and recovery loco.

Some £246,800 has been spent on getting the diesel fixed so far.

Last month, diesel no.21 was lifted off its bogies ready for them to be sent off, for a second time, to the UK for repairs.

Mr Harmer said in his written reply that the previous department identified the benefit of a new build locomotive but was unable to secure adequate funding.

As a result, a refurbished industrial locomotive was procured, he said.

Of the major units, the engine and alternator were new whereas the bogies and motors were original items.

Early problems concerned the engine, which was replaced under warranty.

Problems with the bogies were identified in May 2015.

’The bogies were overhauled in the UK but were found to be faulty when put back into service necessitating further work in the UK under warranty,’ Mr Harmer said.

Public transport director Longworth has described the diesel as ’our thunderbird’.