A troublesome diesel loco dubbed the Cabbage is out of action again.

In scenes straight out of Thomas the Tank Engine, no.21 had to be abandoned on a siding at Castletown a week last Friday after one of its motors was beset by a power problem.

It was then left to languish in the goods shed at Castletown.

The green machine had only recently re-entered passenger service following major repairs, having previously been out of action since June 2015.

A spokesman for Isle of Man Transport said it had been taken out of service as a ’precautionary measure’.

She said: ’After a successful introduction to service, diesel loco 21 experienced abnormally high power consumption on one of the traction motors on Friday, October 25.

’It was decided to withdraw the loco from service as a precautionary measure.

’The loco will be brought back into service as soon as possible.’

The loco 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.

But it has been dogged with technical problems ever since it was first delivered in 2013.

Early tests revealed a number of teething problems including overheating, and its engine was replaced by the manufacturers under warranty.

Issues were subsequently with the bogies, which are over 40 years old and not covered by the warranty. They were sent to the UK for tests and repair.

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

It finally returned to traffic in September and Isle of Man Newspapers were given a ride in the cab to see it action.

No.21 was originally due to be named Vignoles after the pioneering British railway engineer. It never carried that name in service.

A new name is being kept under wraps until an official naming ceremony due to take place later this year.