The Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust and their volunteers have done it again! The latest product of their hard work – the restoration of Manx Electric Railway Van 11 – has returned to action on the line with its first significant use being a charter on Friday 2nd May 2025.
When the Manx Electric Railway was first conceived, passengers were not the only consideration with it also used to convey freight and for that latter purpose a number of wagons and vans were ordered. 11 was one of the vans for the line with it being built by G F Milnes in 1898-99 and initially used for the conveyance of parcels along the line between Douglas and Ramsey.
It managed to remain serviceable for almost a century with it the last fully operational good stock when it was finally withdrawn by 1997. It was moved into storage at Homefield Bus Garage in 2001 and then in 2009 went to the Jurby Transport Museum, although would be confined to outside storage there.
An upturn in fortunes came in March 2015 when it was moved to Laxey where the Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust started a full restoration in their base at the Blacksmiths Siding just on the outskirts of the station area. May 2024 saw it move back onto MER metals with Laxey Car Shed used to finish the work. And now May 2025 has seen it return to action for the first time in around 28 years.
Its first use was on a charter which saw motor 2 provide power and wagon 8 also along for the ride. 11 is also expected to be used during July’s Manx Heritage Transport Festival.
11 stands in the Groudle Siding at Derby Castle terminus with Wagon 8 and motor 2 in front of it.
It was a busy time at Derby Castle whilst 11 was waiting for the off. Winter Saloon 19 and trailer 42 wait to be called forward as Winter Saloon 21 with trailer 47 are about to set-off with the next departure up the line. (Photographs x2 by Paul Hudd, 2nd May 2025)
During the Photo Charter itself that 11 was out for we see 2, 8 and 11 sitting in the siding at Laxey Car Sheds. (Photograph by David Mee, 2nd May 2025)
- Lots more photos featuring 11 to come in a future Photo Gallery on British Trams Online!