For obvious reasons a lot of attention has gone towards the September events for the 125th Anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway this year but let’s not forget that the annual Manx Heritage Transport Festival also takes place with the dates this year being 25th to 29th July. With the MER celebrating such a major milestone it will feature heavily throughout all five days of the event along with the other railways and tramways on the island.
Highlights of the event on the MER will include parallel runs, unusual combinations, Motorman Taster lessons, a photography tour, behind the scenes tours at Derby Castle sheds and enhanced services at times on the line.
On the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway the main highlight will be a Meet the Trammers open afternoon at Summerhill stables along with a parallel run using 36 and 45 from Broadway lights to Victoria Pier – probably the last opportunity for this to take place.
Of course. the Isle of Man Steam Railway isn’t to be left out either with the 50th anniversary of the last train on the Northern line being commemorated with a loco positioned on track outside the old station building at Kirk Michael. Locomotive Caledonia will also be returned to steam on the second day of the event starting with the 0950 from Douglas. There will be a staged photography evening at Douglas on Saturday 28th July.
The full listing of events throughout the five day spectacular – including all railways not just the tramways we usually report on – is given below but please check before the event in case of late changes.
Day One: Wednesday 25th July 2018
Manx Electric Railway
Timetable F will be in operation
Parallel Run
1 and 2+51 will depart Derby Castle at 0910 travelling as far as Laxey. 2+51 will remain in service throughout the day departing Derby Castle at 1040 and 1410.
Unusual Combinations
32+48 will depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240, 1610
33+60 departing Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340.
Motorman Taster
Using car 1 between Laxey and Ballamenaugh departing at 1015, 1115, 1240, 1415 and 1515. Pre-booking recommended.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Snaefell Sunset Dinner
Isle of Man Steam Railway
50th Anniversary of last train on Northern Line
A locomotive will be positioned on a section of track outside an original Manx Northern Station building at Kirk Michael.
Vintage bus tour of closed line from Ramsey
Departs Douglas Railway Station at 1000 travelling to Ramsey and then following the former route to St John’s.
Groudle Glen Railway in operation 1100 to 2100
Day Two: Thursday 26th July 2018
Manx Electric Railway
Timetable F in operation
Enhanced service between Douglas and Laxey:
33+56 departs Derby Castle 0925 and Laxey at 1010
16+60 departs Derby Castle at 1125 and Laxey at 1210
Photography Tour
Using 19+42 between Derby Castle and Ramsey. Departs Derby Castle at 1350 and returning at 1800. Cost £20.
Unusual MER combinations
1+43 depart Derby Castle at 0840, 1140 and 1510
7+51 depart Derby Castle at 0910, 1040, 1410
2+48 depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240, 1610
22+62 depart Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340
Isle of Man Steam Railway
The Manx Northerner
Return to service of Calendonia starting with 0950 from Douglas.
Pie and Mash Supper on Dining Car/Evening Talking Train
A Night at the Museum:
Late night opening at Port Erin Railway Museum
Day Three: Friday 27th July 2018
Manx Electric Railway
Timetable F in operation
Unusual Combinations:
19+51 depart Derby Castle 0910, 1040, 1410
22+60 depart Derby Castle 1010, 1340
20+61 depart Derby Castle 1110, 1440, 1740
21+62 depart Derby Castle 1540, 1840
Derby Castle Workshop Tours
At 1015, 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515 – cost £6. Limited availability to 10 per tour. Pre-booking recommended.
MER Museum Open
Stamps on the MER
Special postal service operating from Derby Castle to Ramsey using Mail Van 4. Departs Derby Castle at 0840, Ramsey at 1010 and arrives at Laxey at 1055. The Mail Van will then be stabled in Laxey Station siding and used for sorting mail.
Enhanced Evening Service between Derby Castle and Dhoon Quarry
6+43+mail van 16 departing Derby Castle at 1810 and 2020, Dhoon Quarry at 1920 and 2120.
Vintage bus tour of closed lines departing Douglas Station at 1000. Cost £20.
Day Four: Saturday 28th July 2018
Manx Electric Railway
Timetable F in operation
Unusual Combinations
1+42 depart Derby Castle at 0840, 1140 and 1510
32+57 depart Derby Castle at 0910, 1040, 1410
2+60 depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240 and 1610
33+58 depart Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
Open Afternoon
Opportunity to Meet the Trammers at Summer Hill stables
Parallel Run
For probably the last time a parallel run from Broadway Lights to Victoria Pier using trams 36 and 45. Departs at 1600.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Snaefell Sunset Dinner
Isle of Man Steam Railway
Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours
Tours at 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 with Junior Tours at 1030, 1130.
Travelling Post Office
1000 from Port Erin and 1120 from Douglas.
Staged Photography Event and talk at Douglas Station
Shunting starts at 1900 including short train journeys to Peel line siding. Two locos will carry special event headboards and final movement into station will be double header.
Great Laxey Mine Railway will be in operation between 1100 and 1630
Groudle Glen Railway will be in operation for a Victorian Day
Day Five: Sunday 29th July 2018
Manx Electric Railway
Intensive Service
Timetable to be announced closer to date
Isle of Man Steam Railway
Manxman Sunday Lunch
Illustrated Talk & Social Evening in Tickethall, Douglas Station at 2000
Vintage Transport Running Day at Jurby Transport Museum including circular bus service
Guided walk from St Johns to Kirk Michael
Great Laxey Mine Railway will be in operation between 1100 and 1630
Groudle Glen Railway will be in operation with every type of motive power in action (steam, battery, diesel) between 1100 and 1630
* Full details of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival can be downloaded in this leaflet from the Isle of Man Railway website.