David Mee reports from the Isle of Man summarising the main activities on the Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell during private hires by the ‘Isle of Man 50 Group’ and the following Manx Heritage Transport event in 2014. 11 days of transport delights awaited…
With its three steam railways (the Isle of Man Railway, Great Laxey Mines Railway and Groudle Glen Railway) and three tramways (Douglas Horse Trams, Manx Electric and Snaefell Mountain), plus a supporting cast of miniature railways and transport museum the Isle of Man is truly a delight for any transport enthusiast. For the tram fan the unique 120 year old Manx Electric Railway must be the highlight linking the urban areas of Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey via stunning coastal and glen sections along the east coast of the island.
I arrived on the Island late on Thursday 24th July at the start of an eleven day visit, initially as part of the ‘Isle of Man 50 group’, now in its 14th year and having grown out of the great anniversary events of the 1990’s planned by Alan Corlett; and then as an individual to enjoy the annual Manx Heritage Transport Festival which this year celebrated 140 years of steam on the south line to Port Erin, although there was also plenty of action on the MER with a private hire by the Isle of Man 50 group and two intensive service days.
The following takes the form of a diary highlighting the main events, operations and yes a few mishaps during my time on the Island!
Friday 25th July
A normal operating day using peak timetables D and G which includes an evening service with two trains to Ramsey. This service comprises fourteen daytime and five evening departures from Douglas.
After a horse car trip at 9am with ‘Jack’ and car 45 to the Sea Terminal I took Car 20+47 to Laxey at 9.40 and transferred to Snaefell Mountain Railway car 5 for a trip to the summit at 10.15 and return at 11.10. Car 5 is a rebuild after the original was destroyed by fire at the summit many years ago and is easily recognised due to its lack of clerestory. It also sported bus windows for many years before these were replaced with more appropriate wooden sliders. A bright and sunny day at the top for once! Then MER Car 20+47 back to Derby Castle at 11.55.
A steamy interlude on the IMR then followed, although not all went to plan due to a line side fire at Ballawoods causing a one hour and twenty minute delay to services!
A further horse car trip with ‘Anne’ and car 45 to Derby Castle followed at 17.15. I am trying to have a number of trips on the system this year as it is likely to be the last over the traditional route. No horse trams will run at all next year as the promenade rebuilding works commence and then there will be up to nine years of short or ‘amended’ running until the works are finished and the new predominantly single line horse tramway at the sea side of the roadway emerges.
Time to round the day off by sampling the evening service with Car 19 single motor to Ramsey at 17.40. Timetable G only operates on six occasions during the peak summer and features two full round trips to Ramsey plus three to Laxey only from Derby Castle, the last not returning to Douglas until 22.55! Not wanting to spend the best part of two hours in Ramsey before the return tram a short bus ride to Laxey followed and an opportunity to view the MER vehicles being restored by the Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust in the old Blacksmiths yard at the station. Wagon 10 has already been completed and is due to be used during the festival. Van 16 is the current centre of attention and starting to look very smart.
Car 19 single motor back to Derby Castle at 21.25 at the end of an enjoyable introductory day.
The service was running well with allocated cars as follows:
D1 – 20+47
D2 – 19+44
D3 – 7+48
L – 6+41
R – 2+40
Special – 22 (Permanent Way department)
Some single car working later in day as loadings were light
A quick note about diagramming of service cars: On a normal summer service day there is one car based on Laxey Car Shed (diagram L), one at Ramsey (diagram R), and up to three from Douglas (diagram D1, D2 etc). A clever timetable causes the D1 diagram to normally become the R diagram next day and the D2 next days L diagram ensuring that all cars return to Derby Castle frequently for servicing.
Saturday 26th – Wednesday 30th July
Isle of Man 50 Group Private Charters
During this period I took part in activities organised by this group which has been visiting the island annually for fourteen years. I also did a fair bit of personal travel. The MER was operating the peak season service D with a total of 14 departures a day from Douglas, augmented by five evening departures on Wednesday (timetable E Douglas – Laxey only) and Friday (timetable G) throughout my stay.
Saturday 26th July
The group hired an Open Top Bus today for a tour round the island, although I personally opted out and as the weather was fine joined a party walking the old Manx Northern Railway route from St. Johns to Kirk Michael with stunning views along the west coast of the island, much recommended to those who enjoy a good walk! I did manage some travel on the MER after the walk as follows:
With Car 19+47 from Ramsey to Laxey at 14.40 , and with Car 6+41 to Derby Castle at 15.55.
Tram allocations noted:
D1 – 19+47
D2 – 22+40
D3 – 6+41
L – 7+48
R – 20+44
Special – 5 (driver experience)
Sunday 27th July
Today is the actual 120th anniversary of the opening of the MER from Douglas through to Laxey and in celebration of that fact original cars 1 and 2 were rostered for service today.
The group enjoyed a private hire at the Groudle Glen Railway featuring their unique Steamplex locomotive and I managed to fit the following trips in around it:
With Car 1+46 to Laxey at 11.10 on the special 120th Anniversary trip with the motorman in full original uniform. Back with car 20+44 to Groudle at 11.55. Car 6+41 to Laxey at 15.52 and Car 2+40 to Derby Castle at 16.55. Both original vehicles sampled on anniversary day!
Tram allocations:
D1 – 20+44
D2 – 2+40
D3 – 1+46
L – 6+41
R – 19+47
The whole of Monday was taken up by a group private hire on the Isle of Man Steam Railway.
Tuesday 29th July
This was the Isle of Man 50 Group main charter day on the MER and featured two unusual combinations:
Day time photo charter with car 7 and trailer 51 with stops at: Howstrake, Groudle, Ballabeg where we were passed by the railways newly refurbished Wickham rail car. Laxey Car sheds sidings. Quick look inside the shed – all as per last year. Refreshment stop at Laxey before on to Ramsey with one photo stop at Murrays Road. Arrived Ramsey at 12.30.
I left charter here and after a quick trip round the north of the island returned to Laxey for car 33+46 to Ramsey at 14.25, and back through to Derby Castle at 15.10.
After dinner at the infamous Port Jack Chippy I walked back to Derby Castle for the groups evening themed trip ‘Fire and Accident’ with Car 2+60. Stops above Fairy Cottage, Bonner Corner, Ballaglass, Lewaigue with discussion of the many fires and accidents over the years. This followed by a quick run back to Douglas.
Laxey Car Sheds
Line 1: 52, 32, 26
Line 2: 28, 31
Line 3: 23, 27, 25
Service tram allocations today were:
D1 – 20+44
D2 – 6+40
D3 – 33+46
L – 2+47
R – 19+41
Special – 7+51 (day)
Special – 2+60 (evening)
Wednesday 30th July
The whole of Wednesday daytime was taken up by a charter on the Isle of Man Steam Railway with new diesel locomotive No. 21. Although this £400,000 purchase has proven somewhat troublesome since its arrival on the island, now on its second engine and with overheating problems apparently solved it was on its best behaviour for us today!
Manx Heritage Transport Festival 30th July – 3rd August
Five days of transport related events on all of the islands railways
The first of the festivals events was billed as an ‘Electrifying evening on the MER‘ featuring three departures from Douglas by three different cars and extended from Laxey to Bulgham and Dhoon Quarry for evening photography. Unfortunately not all went to plan!
This was the day of the resistances fire and derailment on the Snaefell Mountain Railway and as a result services on the MER were disrupted. This impacted the availability and timing of cars for the evening trips. Additionally car 1 was having problems on its return from the Dhoon on trip 2 and the very late running led to the curtailment of trip 3 to just a Douglas – Groudle return. I personally sampled the second trip to Dhoon Quarry and return to Laxey with Car 1 and trailer 46, running nearly 30 minutes late outbound and much later on the return. After a brief break in the pub I returned to Douglas with car 21+40, arriving a full 30 minutes late just before 11pm.
Thursday 31st July
A real highlight with an intensive service between Douglas and Laxey. Service D was augmented to a nine car set service on the southern section with departures from Douglas and Laxey at ten or twenty minute intervals. The tram allocations for the day were:
D1 – 1+51
D2 – 6+46
D3 – 20+47
L – 7+47 (later 48)
R – 19+41
Special – 2+59
Special – 5+Van 4+Wagon 10
Special – 9+44
Special – 21+40
Spare – 22, 33
Repair – 16
All cars worked well and timing was also good.
My plan was to travel on as many car sets as possible and use some of the more unusual stops in the process. I managed the following:
Car 2+59 to Howstrake at 9.50
Photo 5 and freight passing
Walk to Groudle Glen Holiday Village and photo 7+47 pass
Car 6+46 to Scarffes Crossing
Car 9+44 to Laxey Car Sheds
Car 9+44 to Derby Castle at 11.25
Car Shed visit at 12 noon:
Top Shed:
Road 1: 61, 62, 54
Road 2: 42, 37
Road 3: 58, 57, 43
Road 4: 18, 49
Road 5: 22, 17, 15
Road 6: 60, 59, 34, 29, 53
Road 7: empty
Road 8: Tower Wagon at back, 33
Bottom Shed:
Road 1: 36, 55
Road 2: 16
The withdrawn ratchet car 18 was pulled out of the top shed for photography in the sunshine.
Also looked around the workshops and excellent new museum facilities.
In the afternoon took Car 20+47 to Laxey at 13.00 and, after a sandwich and tea at the excellent station cafe, and a bus transfer to Ramsey, car 1+51 through to Derby Castle at 14.40. The rest of the day was taken up with the evening service on the steam railway and special late opening of the museum at Port Erin.
Friday 1st August
This was billed as ‘Southern Steam’ day and I spent most of the day at the steam railway before transferring to the MER for a fantastic evening special – ‘The Power Trip‘, hosted by the guys at manxelectricrailway.co.uk. The trip utilised car 16+60 with stops and explanation at:
Groudle and sub station
Laxey Water Tower
Laxey station for refreshments
Minorca Test House site
Bulgham top curves
Ballagorry sub station
Ballaglass sub station (ex)
Belle Vue sub station
Opted out at Belle Vue and after enjoying the millions of midges (not) got the service car (20 single motor) back to Douglas.
Evening tram service:
Cars 20, 19 and 22(+59)
Special: 16+60
Saturday 2nd August
Today I enjoyed a great private hire organised by the guys at manxelectricrailway.co.uk which was billed as the ‘Crossover Crossbench‘ and planned to utilise wires gang car 32 and cross over all of the crossings enroute to Ramsey plus visit some little used sidings. Sadly the weather intervened and prolonged gales led to the sensible substitution of an enclosed tram – car 2. Tour highlights included:
Wrong road Laxey station to Dumbells and then to the Car Sheds
Into road 2 of car shed – look around
Into all car shed sidings
Group photo and photo stop at Bulgham
Into Ramsey Car Shed
Ramsey Car Shed contents:
Line 1: 50, Freight trailer 26, 30
Line 2: 14
Then came the highlight of the tour – a run into the north siding at Ramsey Station – last used in 1978! In recent years this had been partly covered by raised flower beds, but had been cleared especially for this event. The first time I have arrived at Ramsey on this track in 25 years of visiting the island.
After lunch I transferred to Car 22+47 to Laxey at 13.40 and after a look at the Great Laxey Mines Railway caught car 9+41 to Derby Castle at 15.25 completing my MER activities for the day.
Apparently the Crossover tour managed to traverse all crossings on the line and finished by running direct into the car sheds at Derby Castle for some more rare track!
Tram allocations:
D1 – 9+41
D2 – 20+59
D3 – 7+48
L – 19+44
R – 22+47
Special – 2 (Crossover Crossbench)
Special – 6+Van 4 (Driver experience)
Van 4 left in refreshment siding at Laxey station (Stamp and First Day Cover sales)
Sunday 3rd August
Another highlight with an intensive twelve set service on the scenic northern section of the line from Laxey to Ramsey. Tram allocations as follows:
Tram Allocations:
D1 – 16+wagon 10+Van 4
D2 – 32+58
D3 – 1+51
D4 – 22+57
D5 – 7+48
D6 – 6+40
D7 – 19+47
D8 – 2+60
D9 – 33+46
D10 – 5+44
L – 20+59
R – 9+41
Spare – 21
Nice to see the big winter saloon trailers in service.
My plan for the day was to sample as many sets as possible and visit some of the more unusual stops on the northern section, however the best laid plans come to nothing and for various reasons I spent a chunk of the day at the Groudle Glen Railway gala day. However I did travel as follows:
Car 32+58 to Laxey at 9.40am. Auto blow before Port Jack and again at Onchan Head. Controller also flaring. Car unable to operate above notch 5 so failed at Laxey and moved to new station siding. Fitters in attendance and managed to get car back on service for its diagrammed departure to Douglas at 11.55. It then operated to diagram for the rest of the day.
Car 22+57 to Ramsey at 14.20 from Groudle. Photos of van 4 and wagon 10 stabled in recently excavated north siding before Car 19+47 to Derby Castle at 15.55. This service was delayed 30 minutes at Laxey and Halfway House due to failed car 33+46 at Baldrine (which later moved to Groudle). We arrived at 17.40. Also told that car 16 which had operated driver taster sessions between Ramsey and Lewaigue was failed at Ballagorry with a seized axle.
Monday 4th August
My last day on the Island with a flight booked at 5pm. This allowed time for a last trip on the MER and transfer south to the airport by steam! I wanted to start by sampling the Laxey car departure so used the bus to reach Laxey and walked to the MER station.
SMR cars 1, 5 and 6 noted in service
Then with Car 9+58 to Groudle at 9.55. The conductor informed me that Car 16 was still at Ballagorry and its recovery required partial removal of track and single line working! Car 7+48 back to Laxey at 10.22. Car 7 swapped for 32 at Laxey Car Sheds as its brakes were dragging. Fitters on hand to rectify the problem.
Then I was lucky to witness and photograph SMR car 2 rolling into the station at 11am fresh from the paint shop and out for a first test run post overhaul.
Due to the single line working from the Garey the incoming car from Ramsey was twenty minutes late, so car 5+44 to Derby Castle at 11.15 concluding my MER travels for another year.
A final trip by horse car (45) bought down the shutters on a marvellous week.
Tram allocations:
D1 – 6+40
D2 – 7+48 (7 swapped at Laxey Car Shed for 32, brakes dragging)
D3 – 19+47
L – 9+58 (swapped for 46 on arrival at Derby Castle)
R – 5+44
Conclusions
Once again the MER put on a first class show for visitors and enthusiasts with lots of variety and very few problems. Sad to be leaving the island with two out of three of the operational crossbench trams sidelined. Hopefully 33 will make a speedy return to traffic, although I suspect it will be slightly longer before 16 next takes to the tracks.
The Snaefell Mountain Railway suffered capacity problems on occasion due to availability of cars. Hopefully the two cars damaged by fire and derailment can return to traffic soon and the newly released car 2 will also alleviate matters somewhat.
The MER is a fantastic survivor and well worth a visit both for an event or during normal operations.