For the next few weeks “Picture in Time” returns to the Isle of Man for a set of photos taken by Donald Brooks during June 1977.
For the instalment of these photos taken on the Isle of Man we bring you a double helping as we feature the pairing of Winter Saloon 22 and Trailer 47 in and around Derby Castle terminus. This is the original 22, before its body was destroyed by fire in 1990. Built in 1899 by G F Milnes of Birkenhead it was one of four Winter Saloons built (numbered 19-22) and by 1977 had seen extensive use on the Manx Electric Railway between Douglas and Ramsey. After a spell in nationalised green livery by this time it was back in the standard MER colours of red, teak and white. As for the trailer it was paired on this day, 47, this too can trace its history back to 1899 and was also built by G F Milnes. Both cars remain operational in 2022.
This first photo – both of which were taken on 4th June 1977 – shows passengers alighting from the two cars upon arrival back at Derby Castle. In the background is the rebuilt Summerland, which reopened in 1977 after reconstruction on a smaller scale following a catastrophic fire on 2nd August 1973 in which 50 people died. The complex had opened in 1971 and would finally close in the 21st century before demolition in 2005.
Then a little while later and 22+47 are departing Derby Castle terminus on the way to nearby car sheds. Looking in the background are horse cars 32, 37 and 42. The horse cars are underneath the canopy which would be removed three years later in 1980.
Both Photographs by Donald Brooks, 4th June 1977
The building in the background is not the rebuilt Summerland, it’s the Aquadrome which was relatively unscathed in the fire which destroyed the adjacent building.
I have for a long time been pleased that Summerland has gone. I think that it was a great shame that Derby Castle was destroyed to build it. And the horse tram canopy, another sad loss.