Details released for Rush Hour on the Railways

The first special event of 2018 on the Isle of Man will once again be Rush Hour on the Railways which takes place over the Easter weekend between Friday 30th March and Monday 2nd April. This four day “celebration of Isle of Man Railways” will have events mainly across the Manx Electric Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway with the highlight for tram enthusiasts likely to be an intensive service on the MER on 1st April.

For the Manx Electric Railway main events will be taking place on Friday 30th March, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd April. The Friday will see workshop tours at Derby Castle alongside the allocation of motors 1 and 2 on a special timetable throughout the day. Then on Sunday 1st April an intensive service will run between Laxey and Douglas with 28 departures from Derby Castle throughout the day (10 of which will run all the way through to Ramsey). Services will start from Derby Castle at 0840 with the last departure being at 1610. There will also be a Photography Evening at Derby Castle Yard plus an illuminated tram shuttle to Far End between 1900 and 2100. The days activities on the MER are concluded by the usual Stamps on the MER.

Finally for the MER, on Sunday 2nd April there will be a parallel run between Laxey and Dhoon Glen at 0910. This will include Winter Saloon 19, which will be newly repainted in the 1899 Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey Electric Tramway livery, which will depart Derby Castle at 0825 (this car will parallel the actual 0910 departure from Laxey). There will also be the chance for a motorman taster lesson, again using 19, between Laxey and Dhoon Quarry.

The full list of events throughout the long weekend are as follows:

Good Friday 30th March

* MER Derby Castle Workshop Tours: Tours at 1015, 1115, 1215, 1415 and 1515. Tickets £6 – pre-booking recommended (each tour limited to 10 people)

* MER cars 1 & 2 – 125th Anniversary Year: Both will be used on a special timetable with 1 departing Derby Castle at 0910 and 2 at 0950

* MER Museum Open

Easter Saturday 31st March

* The Manxman Special: On the Isle of Man Steam Railway the 0950 departure from Douglas will carry a special headboard supplied during the first years of the Government takeover, together with special shield and flag display.

* Stamps on the Steam Railway: 0950 from Douglas to Port Erin and 1130 return will include a TPO

* Junior Treasure Trail: At Port Erin Museum.

* Great Laxey Mine Railway: Open from 1100 to 1630.

* Pie and Mash Supper on the Dining Car: Two course meal departing Douglas at 1900 to Port Erin, returning to Douglas by 2230.

* Meet the Trammers: Guided tours of the Summer Hill Stables.

* A Night at the Museum: At Port Erin Museum from 1930 to 2100.

Easter Sunday 1st April

* Intensive MER service between Douglas and Laxey: 28 departures from Derby Castle

* Stamps on the MER: Mail Van 4 will be in use on the 0910 from Derby Castle and after visiting Ramsey will be stabled at Laxey.

* Dining Car Easter Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea: Departs Douglas at 1230 for Castletown, returning to Douglas for 1440.

* Great Laxey Mine Railway: Open from 1100 to 1630.

* Victoria Adventure Tour: A tour of the various railways on the Isle of Man starting off at Douglas Station at 0950 before including vintage bus, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Groudle Glen Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Great Laxey Mine Railway and Manx Electric Railway again.

* Manx Electric Railway Photography Evening at Derby Castle Yard: Specially posed vehicles, cameo scenes and photographic opportunities. Also an illuminated shuttle to Far End. 1900 to 2100.

* Groudle Glen Railway Easter Bunny Trains: Operating 1000 to 1600.

Easter Monday 2nd April

* Manx Electric Railway Parallel Run: Car 19 – newly repainted in 1899 Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey Electric Tramway livery will parallel the 0910 service from Laxey to Dhoon Glen. On the return trip 19 will pause at Bulgham Bay for photographic opportunities. 19 will initially depart from Derby Castle at 0825.

* Manx Electric Railway Motorman Taster lessons: Using 19 these trips will run between Laxey and Dhoon Quarry. Pre-booking highly recommended. Trips from Laxey at 1030, 1130, 1330, 1430 and 1530.

* Photographer’s Special: On the Isle of Man Steam Railway featuring no. 8 Fenella with the Foxdale Coach and two open Goods wagons. Departs Douglas at 1015.

* Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours: Tours at 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1400 with special family tours at 1030 and 1130. £6 for adults, £3 for under 16s on family tours – pre booking recommended.

* Groudle Glen Railway Easter Bunny Trains: Operating 1000 to 1600

Full details of the weekend’s events can be viewed on the Rush Hour on the Railways leaflet (downloadable from the Isle of Man Railways website).

 

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