{"id":50636,"date":"2023-08-13T08:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-08-13T07:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=50636"},"modified":"2023-08-13T08:21:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-13T07:21:03","slug":"isle-of-man-diary-20th-to-26th-july-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=50636","title":{"rendered":"Isle of Man Diary – 20th to 26th July 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

With 2023 being promoted as the Year of the Railway on the Isle of Man thanks to two significant anniversaries – 130 years of operation for the Manx Electric Railway and the 150th anniversary of the Isle of Man Steam Railway – and a week long Transport Festival taking place in late July what more excuse did David Mee need to head to the island? None! This is the first part of his diary of what happened taking in the period between 20th and 26th July 2023.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Thursday 20th<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

With car 1<\/strong> and trailer 42<\/strong> to Ramsey at 15.10<\/p>\n

Photos of the tram shunting in the new old station.<\/p>\n

With car 20<\/strong> + 47<\/strong> to Douglas at 17.10<\/p>\n

MER allocations (service D) :<\/p>\n

L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5+41<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22+44<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20+47<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7+48<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1+42<\/p>\n

Friday 21st<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

With car 7<\/strong>+47<\/strong> to Laxey at 9.20am<\/p>\n

With car 5<\/strong>+42<\/strong> to Ballaglass at 10.10<\/p>\n

With car 9<\/strong>+41<\/strong> to Dhoon Glen at 13.00<\/p>\n

With car 16<\/strong>+59<\/strong> to Laxey at 14.10<\/p>\n

Snaefell Mountain<\/strong><\/p>\n

Car 4<\/strong> to summit at 14.45<\/p>\n

Car 4<\/strong> to Laxey at 15.20<\/p>\n

With Car 7<\/strong>+47<\/strong> to Douglas at 15.55.\u00a0 A busy tram.<\/p>\n

Transferred to the Horse Cars:<\/p>\n

Harry and 36<\/strong> to Mona Drive at 16.30<\/p>\n

MER allocations (service D):<\/p>\n

L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7+47<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5+42<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20+48<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9+41<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16+59<\/p>\n

UDE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14<\/p>\n

Hire\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6+44<\/p>\n

Saturday 22nd<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Car 7<\/strong>+59<\/strong> to Douglas 20.10<\/p>\n

Known MER allocations (service D plus G):<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7+59<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20+57<\/p>\n

Year of the Railways \u201823 event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday 23rd<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heritage Railways Festival Day 1<\/em><\/p>\n

Travel on Parallel run with cars 1<\/strong> and 2<\/strong> at 8.50am.\u00a0 Sat in Car 2<\/strong> for journey, photo stop in rain at Howstrake.\u00a0 Back by 9.20am.<\/p>\n

Winter Saloons on Horse Tramway<\/strong> \u2013 photo and travel on:<\/p>\n

Car 29<\/strong> at 9.35<\/p>\n

MER meanders:<\/p>\n

With car 5<\/strong>+51<\/strong> to Laxey at 10.40<\/p>\n

Noted that car 9<\/strong>+59<\/strong> swapped diagrams at Laxey due to traffic levels.<\/p>\n

With car 6<\/strong>+54<\/strong> to Cornaa at 12.10<\/p>\n

Noted single line working in place Ballaragh to Dhoon Quarry due to wall collapsing between the road and railway and obstructing inland line.\u00a0 This had been discovered by the UDE first thing this morning.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

With car 5<\/strong>+51<\/strong> to Groudle at 13.00<\/p>\n

Rather stupidly the MER were running single motors on a gala day, so the first tram to arrive was full.\u00a0 Instead:<\/p>\n

With Car 6<\/strong> to Halfway at 15.20<\/p>\n

MER allocations (service D):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Horse Car:<\/p>\n

L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9+59*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 29<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1*<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5+51<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6+54<\/p>\n

Spl 1:\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

Spl 2:\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

Spl 3:\u00a0\u00a0 7+19 (36)<\/p>\n

UDE:\u00a0\u00a0 20<\/p>\n

* Swapped duties after first run at Laxey<\/p>\n

Monday 24th<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heritage Railways Festival Day 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Parallel run \u2013 14 and 16 to Groudle<\/strong>\u00a0 – photo and travel<\/p>\n

Departed late at 8.56 with a stop for photos at Howstrake.\u00a0 Travelled on car 16 both ways.<\/p>\n

Arrived back at Derby Castle at 9.20<\/p>\n

With car 20<\/strong>+57<\/strong> to Laxey at 9.40, very busy tram<\/p>\n

Maria & 49 Shuttle<\/strong> \u2013 travel and photo<\/p>\n

Booked on 10.50 departure from Laxey<\/p>\n

Actually departed late at 11.05 and got later for several reasons: single line running, disabled passenger.\u00a0 Photo stop below Ballaragh and at Dhoon Quarry for the shunt and pass by service train.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Very late back into Laxey at 12.05.\u00a0 Quick transfer to:<\/p>\n

With car 32<\/strong>+62<\/strong> to Ramsey at 12.10.\u00a0 Well loaded service.\u00a0 Delayed 20 minutes due to the single line running and many intermediate stops.<\/p>\n

With car 32<\/strong>+62<\/strong> to Douglas at 13.40<\/p>\n

Noted both lines now open at Ballaragh (from about 13.00 apparently).\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

MER allocations:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Horse Car:<\/p>\n

L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1+51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20+57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16+42<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7+48<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32+62<\/p>\n

Spl 1:\u00a0\u00a0 14<\/p>\n

Spl 2:\u00a0\u00a0 16<\/p>\n

Spl 3:\u00a0\u00a0 34+49<\/p>\n

Spl 4: \u00a0 14+Van 4<\/p>\n

Tuesday 25th<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heritage Railway Festival day 3<\/em><\/p>\n

Nationalised service parallel run<\/strong> \u2013 32<\/strong> \/ 21<\/strong> \u2013 photo and travel<\/p>\n

08.50 departure from Derby Castle. Sat in car 21<\/strong> having been caught in a rogue shower.\u00a0 No photo stop and early arrival back in Douglas. Car 21<\/strong> in limited use only.<\/p>\n

With 32<\/strong>+62<\/strong> to Laxey at 9.40<\/p>\n

Tram tripped before Port Jack and again at Onchan Head.\u00a0 Reset, but cautious running and lots of pick ups on route caused a ten minute late arrival at Laxey.<\/p>\n

With 20<\/strong>+42<\/strong> back to Douglas at 10.25<\/p>\n

Time for a ride with Bobby and Horse Car 21<\/strong>, launched into service today, at 11.05.<\/p>\n

No.34 and two trailers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Booked on 12 noon from Derby Castle<\/p>\n

Photo stops at:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lag Birragh<\/p>\n

Laxey Sub<\/p>\n

Summit Curves (tram failed)<\/p>\n

Having had trouble on the rise by the car shed in Douglas, 34<\/strong> finally overheated and failed just short of the summit at Bulgham.\u00a0 We sat there from 13.15 to 13.55 whilst the generator cooled down.\u00a0 Then ran non-stop to Ramsey arriving at 14.25.\u00a0 This will be the only time 34<\/strong> hauls two trailers.<\/p>\n

MER allocations:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Horse Car:<\/p>\n

L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20+42\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32+62\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 42<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1+49<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5+48<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16+51<\/p>\n

Spl 1:\u00a0\u00a0 32<\/p>\n

Spl 2:\u00a0\u00a0 21<\/p>\n

Spl 3:\u00a0\u00a0 34+54+60<\/p>\n

UDE:\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

Wednesday 26th<\/sup> July<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heritage Railway Festival day 4<\/em><\/p>\n

Service F next three days, plus enhanced version Saturday, trams from 8.40am to 10.55pm daily!<\/p>\n

With 32<\/strong>+58<\/strong> to Groudle at 8.40<\/p>\n

Photographed the parallel run arriving<\/p>\n

1970\u2019s parallel run, 5 and 20<\/strong> \u2013 photo and travel<\/p>\n

Departs Derby Castle at 8.50am<\/p>\n

With 20<\/strong> single motor back to Derby Castle at 9.12<\/p>\n

With 5<\/strong>+19<\/strong> (36<\/strong>) to Laxey at 9.40 from Groudle Siding<\/p>\n

Booked on Derby Castle yard tour at 11.15<\/p>\n

Derby Castle Car Shed and workshop tour<\/strong><\/p>\n

19<\/strong> in paint shop for full refurbishment into brown and cream livery<\/p>\n

Walked through workshop, machine shop to:<\/p>\n

Bottom Shed\u00a0\u00a0 R1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9, 47<\/p>\n

R2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7<\/p>\n

R3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 w10, w8, 29, 18<\/p>\n

Yard\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19 outside paint shop<\/p>\n

1 outside bottom shed<\/p>\n

Top Shed\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 R1 2, 22\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 running road<\/p>\n

R2 empty\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 running road<\/p>\n

R3 59, 51, 37<\/p>\n

R4 21, 56, 53, 17, 15<\/p>\n

R5 48, 44, 55<\/p>\n

R6 62, 26<\/p>\n

R7 34, 54, 60<\/p>\n

R8 57, v4, v16, 61<\/p>\n

All notes are front of shed to back, left road to right road<\/em><\/p>\n

Walked down to the station<\/p>\n

Double Deck Horse Car in service<\/strong><\/p>\n

Round trip on the Double Decker No.18<\/strong> with Bobby providing the haulage at 12.20<\/p>\n

With 9<\/strong>+57<\/strong> to Groudle at 13.40<\/p>\n

With 7<\/strong>+59<\/strong> to Liverpool Arms at 15.20<\/p>\n

With 5<\/strong>+19<\/strong> to Douglas at 15.40<\/p>\n

Car 9<\/strong> single motor to Ramsey at 19.40<\/p>\n

Car 9<\/strong> single motor to Derby Castle at 21.40<\/p>\n

MER allocations:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Horse Car:<\/p>\n

D1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32+58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18<\/p>\n

D2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6+?<\/p>\n

D3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5+19<\/p>\n

D4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14 (1st<\/sup> run only then 9+57)<\/p>\n

D5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16+59 (1st<\/sup> run then 7+59)<\/p>\n

D6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22<\/p>\n

Spl 1:\u00a0\u00a0 5<\/p>\n

Spl 2:\u00a0\u00a0 20<\/p>\n

Spl 3:\u00a0\u00a0 20+56<\/p>\n