Full schedule announced for Manx Summer Transport Festival

Its under three months until the Summer Transport Festival takes place on the Isle of Man and the full schedule of events across all the island’s heritage railways and tramways has now been revealed. The Manx Electric Railway will again take centre stage for much of the event but the Steam Railway is not left out with the Groudle Glen Railway and Great Laxey Mines Railway both also due to operate during the five day spectacular.

On the Manx Electric Railway highlights look set to include the ever popular parallel runs, unusual combinations running in service plus the return to service of Trailer 19 for the first time in over 50 years!

Let’s not delay things anymore, here it is, the full schedule of events across the island’s railways and tramways!

Day 1: Wednesday 27^th July 2022

Manx Electric Railway

• Parallel Run – 1 and 2 will depart Derby Castle at 0840 for Groudle. They will both remain in service for the rest of the day.
• Tram & Trailer Unusual combinations – 2+54 (departing Derby Castle at 0840, 1140, 1510), 16+49 (departing Derby Castle at 0940, 1240 & 1610), 32+37 (departing Derby Castle at 1010, 1340 & 1640)
• Two Times 19 Tour – Featuring the official relaunch of trailer 19 into service which will be paired with Winter Saloon 19. Departs Derby Castle at 1250 and will return by 1745. Tickets £12. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.

Bus Tour

• Closed Lines Bus Tour – leaves Douglas at 1000 with a commentary along the way as the tour takes you to many of the closed railway lines on the island. Costs £25. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.

Groudle Glen Railway

• Running all day from 1100 to 2100

Welcome Evening

• At Douglas Station’s Tickethall with Rob Jones from the Wirral Transport Museum giving a talk on the history of tram manufacturer George F Milnes and Company. Doors open 1915 for 1930 start. Tickets £3 – available on the door.

Day 2: Thursday 28^th July 2022

Manx Electric Railway

• Parallel Run – 20 and 22 will depart Derby Castle at 0910 for Groudle.
• Laxey Car Shed Tours – An opportunity to view items of stored rolling stock. Tours begin at 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330 and 1430. Tickets £6. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Tram & Trailer Unusual combinations – 6+49 (depart Derby Castle 0840, 1140, 1510), 22+62 (departs Derby Castle 0910, 1040, 1410), 21+59 (departs Derby Castle 0940, 1240, 1610), 20+51 (departs Derby Castle 1010, 1340, 1640)
• Dual Mail – Evening parallel run from Ramsey Station with 9 and mail van 4 alongside 21 and mail van 16. 21+16 will leave Derby Castle at 1900, 9+4 at 1915 before Dual Mail leaves Ramsey at 2110. Photographic opportunities available.

Isle of Man Steam Railway

• 11 Maitland will be in service and will carry a special headboard all day
• Pie & Mash Supper on the Dining Car – £32. Either email steamdining@gov.im or phone 01624 697 457 to book a place.
• A Night at the Museum – Port Erin Railway Museum will be open 1930-2100 with the chance to see cosmetically restored no. 1 Sutherland

Day 3: Friday 29^th July 2022

Manx Electric Railway

• Parallel Run – 1 and 14 will depart Derby Castle at 0910 for Laxey.
• Derby Castle Workshop and Yard Tours – A chance to see behind the scenes at Derby Castle including items of rolling stock not currently serviceable. Tours start at 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515. Tickets £6. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Motorman Taster Lessons – Using 32 these taster lessons will leave Laxey at 0850, 1050, 1350 ad 1550. Costs £30. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Dhoon Quarryman – Ratchet Car 14 will run Laxey to Dhoon Quarry shuttles including a photography stop at Bulgham Bay platform. Leaves Laxey at 0950, 1050, 1150, 1350, 1450.
• Stamps on the MER & Snaefell – Special Railway Letter Service will operate between Derby Castle, Laxey and Ramsey and from the Summit to Laxey on the SMR. Car 16 with Mail Vans 4 and 16 will leave Derby Castle at 0840 with the two mail vans stabled in the siding the rest of the day.
• Tram & Trailer unusual combinations – 16+mail vans 4+16 (departing Derby Castle 0840), 16+37 (departing Derby Castle 1140, 1510), 1+60 (departing Derby Castle 0910, 1040, 1410), 21+49 (departing Derby Castle 0940, 1240, 1510), 20+19 (departing Derby Castle 1010, 1340, 1640)

Snaefell Mountain Railway

• Sunset Dining – take the tram to the summit for a three course meal. Cost £39. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.

Isle of Man Steam Railway

• Steam Legendary Drivers – Special headboards will be carried commemorating former drivers David ‘Davey’ Dow (who had charge of Caledonia in the Manx Northern Railways days) and Arthur ‘AJ’ Caine (who drove the Queen Mother in 1963).
• Staged Photography Evening at Douglas Railway Station – Exciting photographic opportunities with the Cleminson Coach and goods stocks. Evening photography starts at 1900. Platform ticket for photography including BBQ £14. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525

Day 4: Saturday 30^th July 2022

Manx Electric Railway

• MER Motorman Tasters – Car 16 will be used between Laxey and Lewaigue. Departs 0850, 1050, 1350, 1550. Costs £30. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Royal Run to Ramsey – Winter Saloon 19 and Royal Trailer 59 will re-enact the visit in 1902 by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Departs Derby Castle at 1250 with the tram decorated with bunting and accompanied by the King and Queen! Includes photo stops. Costs £12. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Tram & Trailer Unusual combinations – 2+51 (departs Derby Castle 0840, 1140, 1510), 21+57 (departs Derby Castle 0910, 1040, 1410), 32+56 (departs Derby Castle 0940, 1240, 1610), 7+60 (departs Derby Castle 1010, 1340, 1640).

Snaefell Mountain Railway

• Workshop Tours – guided tours of the workshop and depot starting at 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400. Costs £6. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Four Cars at the Summit – Unique photographic opportunities with trams leaving Laxey at 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830. Photographic opportunities will be available at various locations and near the Summit with all four cars between 1900 and 2000. Trams will then descend in parallel to Laxey.

Isle of Man Steam Railway

• Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours – start at 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600. Costs £6. Tickets can be booked at http://www.rail.im or by phone on 01624 662 525.
• Travelling Post Office – 0950 departure from Douglas and 1130 from Port Erin will include a Travelling Post Office transporting special commemorative stamp covers.
• Marrakesh Express – North African seasonal flavours with a three course authentic dining experience. Costs £39. Tickets can be booked by calling 01624 697 457 or emailing steamdining@gov.im.
• Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters Association Annual Meeting – doors open at Columba Catholic Club at 1930 for 2000 start. All are welcome with a film and slide show following including an update on cosmetic restoration of no. 5 Mona at Port St Mary Goods Shed.

Groudle Glen Railway

• Sea Lion will be hauling her original 4 wheeled coaches dating from 1896

Great Laxey Mines Railway

• Operating between 1100 and 1630

Day 5: Sunday 31^st July 2022

Manx Electric Railway

• Intensive MER service – Special timetable will be published closer to the date with a large selection of combinations in service.

Isle of Man Steam Railway

• Manxman Sunday Lunch – Luxury three course meal on board the train. £33 per adult, £16.50 for children. Call 01624 697457 or email steamdining@gov.im for reservations.
• Royal Jubilee Double Header – Maitland and Kissack will haul the 0950 as far as Castletown as part of the Isle of Man’s special Platinum Jubilee special events to commemorate the longstanding association with royal visits.

Groudle Glen Railway

• Gala day with all of the railways locomotives in service between 1100 and 1630

Jurby Transport Museum

• Vintage Transport Running Day – The annual running day in the north of the island centred around Jurby Transport Museum which is home to cars, buses, lorries, fire engines and the preserved Douglas Cable Tram. Additional bus services on route 19 will operate from Ramsey Tram Station to meet MER arrivals and direct service to Douglas via the mountain road will also run (weather permitting).

Looks like plenty to keep everyone occupied! The Festival takes place from Wednesday 27^th until Sunday 31^st July 2022.

• Full details of all events – in a much better format than we can ever hope to manage! – is available in the event leaflet which can be downloaded at https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2433/summer-transport-festival-2022.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2t8NERCOX1ZhIXd0zKOn_3_pdyHN0FMghfMq65QSWBhvKEnrcFu4Zoww0