The Manx Electric Railway is now open for the 2014 season with the first public services of the year running on Friday 4th April. Winter Saloon 21 had the honour of operating the first journey, the 0940 Derby Castle-Ramsey, as another season for the MER got underway.
Timetable B was in operation for the first day which means that three diagrams are in use and all three were in the hands of motors only throughout the day, although it wasn’t a completely predictable affair on the trams used. As mentioned above the first Douglas diagram was in the hands of 21 whilst the diagram starting from Ramsey was another Winter Saloon, 22. It was the second Douglas diagram which provided the most interest for the enthusiast though as this started off the day with 1893 built 2, before Crossbench 33 took over with both trams running one round trip each.
All the required maintenance works have been completed allowing a full length service between Derby Castle and Ramsey to operate from the start of the planned service for 2014. Work undertaken over the winter has included the much talked about relay at Laxey Station, track replacement at Howstrake and the repairs at Ballaglass, which despite fears to the contrary were able to be completed in time.
The winter period has also seen a number of trams undergoing maintenance at Derby Castle. This has included full or partial repaints for 6, 19 and 20 whilst both 1 (roof) and 2 (wheels reprofiled) have also been under attention.
There will be three major special events taking place on the Manx Electric Railway this year with the first of these just a few short weeks away. Rush Hour on the Railways will see an intensive service on Sunday 20th April alongside Derby Castle shed tours before a day later there is the chance to have a Motorman taster session. This is part of a wider event across the Island including the Steam Railway, which takes place Friday 18th-Monday 21st April.
The big event of the year is, as always, the Manx Heritage Transport Festival which takes place between Wednesday 30th July and Sunday 3rd August. Exact details of what will be happening and when have yet to be revealed but the Manx Electric Railway is likely to feature extensively on at least one day with the Steam Railway also heavily involved.
The final major event of the year for the MER comes as the very end of the season with the third annual Winter Photography session on Saturday 1st November. Again details have yet to be released as to what will feature on this day but it will include photographic opportunities and historical commentary.
Unfortunately British Trams Online will be unable to visit the Isle of Man in 2014 so if anyone does any photographs are always gratefully received!
Thanks to manxelectricrailway.co.uk for their (unwitting) help in the completion of this article.
Operating the Ramsey diagram on the first day of services was Winter Saloon 22. It is seen here on 15th August 2013 whilst undertaking a run round maneouvre within Laxey Station, something which has now been consigned to the record books following the winter redevelopment works. (Photo: Gareth Prior)
I can strongly. recommend a visit to the island for those who have never been. The transport is fascinating, the trams yes and the railway. Last time I visited you could buy a ticket which covered all trams, train and buses. A visit to the Groudle Glen Railway is good as well (its off the main Douglas to Ramsey road at the Douglas end). Suggest flying as from personal experience the Ben-My:-Chree from Heysham is not the best of ships (I have done at least ten round trips so I fly now) end of trip.
I quite like the Ben as far as modern ships go, but it is a choice of a very long day trip or overnight stay due to sailing schedules.
I have been visiting the Isle of Man and its railways since the late 1950s (though not very much in recent years) and fully endorse Roger’s comments. The Groudle Glen railway is definitely worth a visit, but has very restricted running days, basically Sunday afternoons with Wednesday evening operations in the summer, so careful planning is required if intending to visit this railway. On Sundays of course Groudle glen can be accessed from Douglas via the Manx Electric Railway!
I was on the first tram from Douglas to Ramsey and was surprised to run both ways on normal track as the day before the wires were not connected to the poles. I was told the day before that single line working on the sea ward side would be in operation and I was hoping to get a couple of crossovers in.
Laxey station is in a mess as they have run out of money and laid chippings instead of tarmac and the surface is loose under foot. Every day the staff have to brush the rails clear.
The Snaffell Railway opened on time but unfortunately I was Working and could not get there.
Despite breakdowns due to worn out equipment the whole of the Railway system is well worth a visit.