For the next few weeks “Picture in Time” will be coming from the Isle of Man and we start this batch off in 2002 with a shot of Crossbench 31 – its last year of passenger use.
Built in 1904 by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works Ltd in Preston, 31 was one of four trams built in this batch entering service that same year. It was used regularly during the summer month up until the mid-1970s after which its use became more sporadic and it was even offered for sale in 1978 but this never happened and it remained on the island, albeit passenger service was few and far between. It was returned to service in 1993 but it continued to suffer with faults and so its use was still not common, its last passenger use came in 2002 after which time it was withdrawn and is currently stored at Laxey Car Shed. The tram is a ratchet only car.
The photo below shows 31 during its “last ever” tour which was for the Isle of Man 50 Group on 3rd August 2002. Taking the car along the line to Ramsey as is expected with Isle of Man 50 Group tours it also featured a number of photostops. With low cloud on the hills we see the tram during one of these stops.
Photograph by David Mee, 3rd August 2002