It’s a surreal sight for us to see an official leaflet publicising a major event celebrating the fact that the Manx Electric Railway won the British Trams Online Tramway of the Year for 2018 but that is exactly what greets you when you look at the details for the Rush Hour on the Railways event which takes place across the Isle of Man’s heritage railways over the Easter weekend. As always with this early season event there will be a mix of events mainly on the MER and Steam Railway which should have plenty to occupy enthusiasts.
The Manx Electric Railway takes centre stage on both days one and three of the four day event (although that’s not to say it isn’t involved at other times!) with the opening gambit on Good Friday, 19th April, seeing a parallel run between Derby Castle and Laxey. Tunnel Car 9 will parallel the 0940 departure all the way to Laxey for this event which will see standard tram fares apply. Two other Tunnel Cars will also feature on this day with open wagons 8 and 10 being hauled by the motors. 5 will be paired with wagon 8 and departs Derby Castle at 0840, 1140 and 1340 with 7 coupled to wagon 10 and operating from Derby Castle at 1040 and 1410. And if that wasn’t enough to keep you occupied the MER Museum will be open and there will be Motorman Taster lessons using car 9 between Laxey and Lewaigue (pre-booking required with a cost of £25).
Although Day 2 is mainly concentrated on the Steam Railway there will a special bus tour which will take in behind the scenes tours of the Bus Vannin, Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway workshops. With special tickets available for £25 the tour will use a vintage bus and departs Douglas Railway Station at 0930.
The third day of the event – Easter Sunday 21st April – will see a special intensive timetable in service on the MER between 0840 and 1755 which will see 28 departures from Derby Castle throughout the day (in the event of poor weather the timetable will change to a standard timetable C operation). The evening will then see a photography event at Derby Castle Yard with specially posed vehicles, cameo scenes and plenty of photographic opportunities between 1900 and 2100. And if that wasn’t enough there will a special postal service between Derby Castle and Ramsey using Mail Van 4 departing from Derby Castle at 0910.
The final day will see behind the scenes tours at Derby Castle Yard. Each tour will include a brief history of the yard, a look at different types of trams, ow they work and are maintained. Items of rolling stock currently out of service will be on display and just so the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway isn’t left out some of the newly refurbished horse cars will also be displayed. Tours cost £6 each and take place at 1115, 1215, 1415 and 1515.
Rush Hour on the Railways will take place between Friday 19th and Monday 22nd April. Full details of all events due to take place can be found in the leaflet.