Work to relay track on the Snaefell Mountain Railway has been progressing well during the off season with all work due to be completed in time for the Railway to reopen on 4th April for the 2012 season. The work, which was started last winter, will see the track replaced along with the improvement of the drainage below the track.
Tim Crookall MHK, Community, Culture and Leisure Minister, said that the workers from Colas (Isle of Man) Ltd had been working through all weathers to ensure the safety critical work was completed in time with only one day lost due to high winds.
The scheme to replace the tracks is to cost £3 million and should help ensure the future of the Snaefell Mountain Railway for the foreseeable future.
The railway has seen an 11,000 increase in passenger numbers over the past two years with 49,000 passengers being carried in 2011 (compared to 38,000 as recently as 2009).