The Manx Summer Transport Festival is nearly upon us with the eight day event taking place between Sunday 23rd and Sunday 30th July and in the immediate lead-up to the event a few changes to what is happening have been announced. Inevitably, since the original programme was announced earlier this year there have had to be some changes with vehicle availability and other circumstances having changed – but those changes and not a negative as its also been announced that MER Freight Trailer 26 has been restored back to use!
26 was last used in 1993 (for the centenary of the Manx Electric Railway) but after hard work behind the scenes but both MER engineering staff and volunteers it will now return to use in time for the Transport Festival.
Built in 1895 as no. 10, the vehicle started off as a motor but would only run until 1902 in this condition before being withdrawn. Rebuilt in 1918 as a freight trailer (when it was renumbered 26) it remained in use until 1930 when a downturn in freight on the line saw it no longer required. It would be used again in 1979 having been purchased by the Three Foot Gauge Railway Society the year before. After the Centenary of Electric Traction cavalcade it was then moved to the museum at Ramsey Car Shed, until that closed in 1991.
It was then used during the 1993 Year of the Railway Cavalcade when it was hauled by Winter Saloon 19. That was the last time that it had seen use and since then it has been stored at Ramsey Car Shed, Homefield Bus Garage, Ramsey Car Shed (once more!) and finally Laxey Car Shed. That is where it has been since November 2014 and there had been little prospect of it running again – until now that is!
A significant amount of work has taken place to the bodywork and there has been an underframe overhaul. Its had its steps reinstated, been fully repainted into its grey livery and the numbers and lettering are accurate to its 1920s condition.
26 has undergone test runs out on the line to make sure all is OK and it will now make appearances during a Freight Tour on Thursday 27th July and the MER Cavalcade on Saturday 29th July.
Speaking of the Cavalcade and with Snaefell Mountain Railway cars due to take part, it has been confirmed that the SMR service suspended between 1215 and 1515 (last departure back down from the Summit will be 1250).
Its also been confirmed that Crossbench 33 won’t be available for passenger service and so it will be replaced by Tunnel Car 5 hauling restored trailer 19 in service on Wednesday 26th July. 33 should still be taking part in the Cavalcade though.
Also, a new addition to the programme on Friday 28th July will be “A Tribute to the late Alan Corlett” which will see his headboard carried on the 1240 Derby Castle-Laxey, 1345 Laxey-Snaefell, 1420 Snaefell-Laxey and 1510 Laxey-Ramsey.
On the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway a second Toastrack is due to be in service on Tuesday 25th July with 42 now being joined by 21.
There have also been a few changes to event on the Isle of Man Steam Railway – the revised programme of events is provided below. For up-to-date updates on what is happening each day head to Facebook and the Manx Electric Railway Online page – https://www.facebook.com/manxelectricrailway.
Day 1 – Sunday 23rd July
Manx Electric Railway
* Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle using 1 and 2. Departs at 0850 and both cars are scheduled to remain in service for the rest of the day.
* GF Milnes Bulkhead Trailers in service. Combinations to include 1+49, 5+51, 6+54, 9+37, 16+60.
* Motorman Taster Lessons using Winter Saloon 22 between Laxey and Lewaigue. Departs at 0850, 1050, 1350, 1550.
* Relaunch of Trailer 19. Partnered with 7 the tour will depart Derby Castle at 1250 and return by 1745 including numerous photo opportunities.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Winter Saloons in service. 27 will depart Derby Castle at 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205, 29 will depart Derby Castle at 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* MNR no. 4 Caledonia at Knockaloe and IMR no. 8 Fenella at Peel
* Welcome Evening at Port Erin Station with Beyer Line-up (featuring no. 4 Loch, no. 5 Mona, no. 6 Peveril and no. 8 Fenella).
Also today
* Groudle Glen Railway operating 1100-1600
* Great Laxey Mines Railway operating 1100-1630
Day 2 – Monday 24th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle using 14 and 16. Departs at 0850 and both cars are scheduled to remain in service for the rest of the day.
* Tram and Trailer Matching Combinations. To include 7+48, 20+57, 32+62, 1+51.
* No. 34 Diesel Shuttles. For the first time since 2010 Engineering Car 34 “Maria” will run shuttles from Laxey to Dhoon Quarry, with Trailer 49. Departs 0950, 1050, 1150, 1350, 1450 and includes a photostop at Bulgham Bay.
* 14+Mail Van 4 will run from Derby Castle to Ramsey at 1200, returning at 1350. The Ramsey Philatelic Services will be on board and offer a selection of Special Commemorative Covers.
* Steam on the MER Film Evening at the British Hotel, Douglas.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Toastrack Sunshades in service. 36 will depart Derby Castle at 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205, 45 will depart Derby Castle at 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* No. 4 Caledonia at Knockaloe
* Unadvertised rolling stock movement: After daytime services finish no. 4 Loch will undertake rolling stock movements. No. 6 Peveril and the “H” wagon and “M” wagon will be moved from Port Erin to Douglas.
Also today
* Closed Lines Bus Tour. A bus tour to look at some of the closed lines on the Isle of Man departing from Douglas Station at 0900.
Day 3 – Tuesday 25th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle using 21 and 32. Departs at 0850 and 32 will remain in service for the rest of the day with Trailer 62.
* Motorman Taster Lessons using 2 between Laxey and Lewaigue. Departs at 0850, 1050, 1350, 1550.
* No. 34 and Two Trailers. Engineering Car 34 “Maria” will haul trailers 54 and 60 from Derby Castle to Ramsey, departing at 1200 with a return at 1350.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Toastracks 21 & 42 in service (weather permitting). Departs Derby Castle at 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205, 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
* Snaefell Mountain Railway Workshop Tours. Tours at 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours
* Double Header Day
* Steam Legendary Drivers – special headboards on services
* Evening Steam – photography bus follows a freight train hauled by no. 4 Caledonia
Day 4 – Wednesday 26th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle using 5 and 20. Departs at 0850.
* Open All Hours Crossbench Car Day. 14, 16 and 32 will be in service all day including evening use of 16 along with trailer 59. 33 is unfortunately unavailable and will be replaced in service by Tunnel Car 5 with restored trailer 19.
* Derby Castle Workshop & Yard Tours. Tours at 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515.
* Manx Electric Railway A Hidden History. Winter Saloon 20 and trailer 56 depart Derby Castle at 1755 for Ramsey with Manx Electric Railway Volunteers on board to give an insight into lost and unknown histories of the area. Returns from Ramsey at 2055.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Double decker 18 in service. Departing Derby Castle at 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205, 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* IMR Saloon Coaches in service
* Evening Steam with Cleminson & Foxdale Coach. Due to damage to the Cleminson coach’s axle box it will not be able to carry passengers with the event now due to take place in the grounds of Douglas Station.
* Unadvertised rolling stock movement: No. 5 Mona will be moved from Port Erin to Douglas.
Also today
* Groudle Glen Railway in operation 1100-2100.
Day 5 – Thursday 27th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle using 1 and 34. Departs at 0850. Please note 34 replaces 33 which is unavailable.
* Laxey Car Shed Tours. Tours at 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430.
* Wickham Rides using railcar 22 linking Laxey Station and Laxey Car Sheds
* MER Freight Tour. Please note change to advertised tour. Tunnel Car 6 will haul returning Freight Trailer 26 on a special tour departing Derby Castle at 1200 and returning from Ramsey at 1350. Tickets are sold out.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
* NATS4 at Laxey Station. The 1991 built National Air Traffic Services vehicle will be on display in the dual gauge siding from 0900-1600.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* Steam Headboards
* Legendary Boat Trains departing Douglas at 0950, 1430 and returning from Port Erin at 1130, 1615
* Double Headed Pie and Mash Train
Also today
* Ultimate Railway Experience Tour – A day on the island’s railways and tramway including bus connections. Will feature trips on Steam Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway.
Day 6 – Friday 28th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Victoria and Edwardian Tram and Trailer Combinations. To include 6+42, 7+60, 2+36, 20+59.
* Motorman Tasters using Crossbench 16 between Laxey and Lewaigue. Departs Laxey at 0850, 1050, 1350, 1550.
* Car 14 and Trailer 51. A special tour will depart Derby Castle at 1200 and travel to Ramsey with a return commencing at 1350.
* Powering the Manx Electric Railway. Another special tour this time using Engineering Car 34 “Maria” and Trailer 61 from Derby Castle to Ramsey stopping outside current and former substations. Departs Derby Castle at 1755, returning from Ramsey at 2055.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Douglas Bay Horse Tramway Cavalcade. A stunning Cavalcade of trams to celebrate 147 years of operation running in numerical order. To feature 18, 21, 29, 36, 42.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* Goods Train – a rare chance to ride on board a goods train
Also today
* A tribute to the late Alan Corlett. A special headboard will traverse all of the Isle of Man Railways network to pay tribute to Alan Corlett who was instrumental in the organisation of events throughout the 1990s. 1000 Port Erin-Douglas, 1205 Broadway-Strathallan (horse tramway), 1240 Derby Castle-Laxey, 1345 Laxey-Snaefell, 1420 Snaefell-Laxey, 1510 Laxey-Ramsey.
Day 7 – Saturday 29th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Cavalcade. Due to get underway at 1400 this spectacular Cavalcade will feature motors, trailers and wagons from both the MER and SMR including commentary. Trams will process through Laxey Station towards Douglas in numerical order before returning to service to either Derby Castle or Ramsey. There will also be commemorative covers available from the Ramsey Philatelic Services.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
* Snaefell Mountain Railway Workshop Tours. Guided tours of the Snaefell sheds at 0930, 1030, 1130.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours – at 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200
* Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association Annual Meeting
Also today
* Groudle Glen Railway in operation with “Sea Lion” due to be running
* Great Laxey Mines Railway in operation 1100-1630
Day 8 – Sunday 30th July
Manx Electric Railway
* Manx Electric Railway intensive service including a large selection of combinations in service throughout the day
* MER Derby Castle Workshop and Yard Tours. Tours will depart at 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
* Tram & Two Horses. Double decker 18 will depart from Derby Castle at 1230 hauled by two horses.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
* Steam Extravaganza at Douglas Railway Station. All available locomotives will be showcased in an evening spectacular. Gates open at 1800 with access to platform available until 2030.
Also today
* Groudle Glen Railway Gala Day from 1100-1630
* Vintage Transport Running Day at Jurby Transport Museum including a bus link from Ramsey Station with extra service on route 19
A number of the above events require additional tickets which can be purchased online at http://www.rail.im or by phoning the Welcome Centre on 01624 662 525. More details on the leaflet which can be downloaded at https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2711/iom-year-of-the-railways-2023-event-program.pdf.