For obvious reasons a lot of attention has gone towards the September events for the 125th Anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway this year but let\u2019s not forget that the annual Manx Heritage Transport Festival also takes place with the dates this year being 25th to 29th July. With the MER celebrating such a major milestone it will feature heavily throughout all five days of the event along with the other railways and tramways on the island.<\/p>\n
Highlights of the event on the MER will include parallel runs, unusual combinations, Motorman Taster lessons, a photography tour, behind the scenes tours at Derby Castle sheds and enhanced services at times on the line.<\/p>\n
On the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway the main highlight will be a Meet the Trammers open afternoon at Summerhill stables along with a parallel run using 36<\/strong> and 45<\/strong> from Broadway lights to Victoria Pier \u2013 probably the last opportunity for this to take place.<\/p>\n Of course. the Isle of Man Steam Railway isn\u2019t to be left out either with the 50th anniversary of the last train on the Northern line being commemorated with a loco positioned on track outside the old station building at Kirk Michael. Locomotive Caledonia will also be returned to steam on the second day of the event starting with the 0950 from Douglas. There will be a staged photography evening at Douglas on Saturday 28th July.<\/p>\n The full listing of events throughout the five day spectacular \u2013 including all railways not just the tramways we usually report on \u2013 is given below but please check before the event in case of late changes.<\/p>\n Day One: Wednesday 25th July 2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Manx Electric Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Timetable F will be in operation<\/p>\n Parallel Run<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/strong> and 2<\/strong>+51<\/strong> will depart Derby Castle at 0910 travelling as far as Laxey. 2<\/strong>+51<\/strong> will remain in service throughout the day departing Derby Castle at 1040 and 1410.<\/p>\n Unusual Combinations<\/span><\/p>\n 32<\/strong>+48<\/strong> will depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240, 1610<\/p>\n 33<\/strong>+60<\/strong> departing Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340.<\/p>\n Motorman Taster<\/span><\/p>\n Using car 1<\/strong> between Laxey and Ballamenaugh departing at 1015, 1115, 1240, 1415 and 1515. Pre-booking recommended.<\/p>\n Snaefell Mountain Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Snaefell Sunset Dinner<\/p>\n Isle of Man Steam Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n 50th Anniversary of last train on Northern Line<\/span><\/p>\n A locomotive will be positioned on a section of track outside an original Manx Northern Station building at Kirk Michael.<\/p>\n Vintage bus tour of closed line from Ramsey<\/span><\/p>\n Departs Douglas Railway Station at 1000 travelling to Ramsey and then following the former route to St John\u2019s.<\/p>\n Groudle Glen Railway in operation 1100 to 2100<\/p>\n Day Two: Thursday 26th July 2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Manx Electric Railway<\/span><\/p>\n Timetable F in operation<\/p>\n Enhanced service between Douglas and Laxey:<\/span><\/p>\n 33<\/strong>+56<\/strong> departs Derby Castle 0925 and Laxey at 1010<\/p>\n 16<\/strong>+60<\/strong> departs Derby Castle at 1125 and Laxey at 1210<\/p>\n Photography Tour<\/span><\/p>\n Using 19<\/strong>+42<\/strong> between Derby Castle and Ramsey. Departs Derby Castle at 1350 and returning at 1800. Cost \u00a320.<\/p>\n Unusual MER combinations<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/strong>+43<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0840, 1140 and 1510<\/p>\n 7<\/strong>+51<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0910, 1040, 1410<\/p>\n 2<\/strong>+48<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240, 1610<\/p>\n 22<\/strong>+62<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340<\/p>\n Isle of Man Steam Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n The Manx Northerner<\/span><\/p>\n Return to service of Calendonia starting with 0950 from Douglas.<\/p>\n Pie and Mash Supper on Dining Car\/Evening Talking Train<\/span><\/p>\n A Night at the Museum:<\/span><\/p>\n Late night opening at Port Erin Railway Museum<\/p>\n Day Three: Friday 27th July 2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Manx Electric Railway<\/span><\/p>\n Timetable F in operation<\/p>\n Unusual Combinations:<\/span><\/p>\n 19<\/strong>+51<\/strong> depart Derby Castle 0910, 1040, 1410<\/p>\n 22<\/strong>+60<\/strong> depart Derby Castle 1010, 1340<\/p>\n 20<\/strong>+61<\/strong> depart Derby Castle 1110, 1440, 1740<\/p>\n 21<\/strong>+62<\/strong> depart Derby Castle 1540, 1840<\/p>\n Derby Castle Workshop Tours<\/span><\/p>\n At 1015, 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515 \u2013 cost \u00a36. Limited availability to 10 per tour. Pre-booking recommended.<\/p>\n MER Museum Open<\/span><\/p>\n Stamps on the MER<\/span><\/p>\n Special postal service operating from Derby Castle to Ramsey using Mail Van 4<\/strong>. Departs Derby Castle at 0840, Ramsey at 1010 and arrives at Laxey at 1055. The Mail Van will then be stabled in Laxey Station siding and used for sorting mail.<\/p>\n Enhanced Evening Service between Derby Castle and Dhoon Quarry<\/span><\/p>\n 6<\/strong>+43<\/strong>+mail van 16<\/strong> departing Derby Castle at 1810 and 2020, Dhoon Quarry at 1920 and 2120.<\/p>\n Vintage bus tour of closed lines departing Douglas Station at 1000. Cost \u00a320.<\/span><\/p>\n Day Four: Saturday 28th July 2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Manx Electric Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Timetable F in operation<\/p>\n Unusual Combinations<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/strong>+42<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0840, 1140 and 1510<\/p>\n 32<\/strong>+57<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0910, 1040, 1410<\/p>\n 2<\/strong>+60<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 0940, 1240 and 1610<\/p>\n 33<\/strong>+58<\/strong> depart Derby Castle at 1010 and 1340<\/p>\n Douglas Bay Horse Tramway<\/strong><\/p>\n Open Afternoon<\/span><\/p>\n Opportunity to Meet the Trammers at Summer Hill stables<\/p>\n Parallel Run<\/span><\/p>\n For probably the last time a parallel run from Broadway Lights to Victoria Pier using trams 36<\/strong> and 45<\/strong>. Departs at 1600.<\/p>\n Snaefell Mountain Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Snaefell Sunset Dinner<\/p>\n Isle of Man Steam Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours<\/span><\/p>\n Tours at 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 with Junior Tours at 1030, 1130.<\/p>\n Travelling Post Office<\/span><\/p>\n 1000 from Port Erin and 1120 from Douglas.<\/p>\n Staged Photography Event and talk at Douglas Station<\/span><\/p>\n Shunting starts at 1900 including short train journeys to Peel line siding. Two locos will carry special event headboards and final movement into station will be double header.<\/p>\n Great Laxey Mine Railway will be in operation between 1100 and 1630<\/p>\n Groudle Glen Railway will be in operation for a Victorian Day<\/p>\n Day Five: Sunday 29th July 2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Manx Electric Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n Intensive Service<\/span><\/p>\n Timetable to be announced closer to date<\/p>\n Isle of Man Steam Railway<\/span><\/p>\n Manxman Sunday Lunch<\/p>\n Illustrated Talk & Social Evening in Tickethall, Douglas Station at 2000<\/p>\n Vintage Transport Running Day at Jurby Transport Museum including circular bus service<\/p>\n Guided walk from St Johns to Kirk Michael<\/p>\n Great Laxey Mine Railway will be in operation between 1100 and 1630<\/p>\n Groudle Glen Railway will be in operation with every type of motive power in action (steam, battery, diesel) between 1100 and 1630<\/p>\n * Full details of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival can be downloaded in this leaflet<\/a> from the Isle of Man Railway website.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For obvious reasons a lot of attention has gone towards the September events for the 125th Anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway this year but let\u2019s not forget that the annual Manx Heritage Transport Festival also takes place with the … Continue reading