Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Not unexpectedly the IoM Gov. has, today, announced the cancellation of this year's Heritage Transport Festival which was scheduled to run from the 29th July to 2nd August 2020. As happened at Easter when the Rush Hour had to be cancelled a virtual HTF hosted by the Heritage Transport Volunteers will be available on https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/
Further details can be found below including the dates for next year's HTF which will run from the 28th July to 1st August 2021.

In other news the first of the five new boilers was dispatched from Bridgnorth on 1st April. The second was awaiting its final boiler inspection and parts of boilers 3&4 were being assembled last month. Currently some work is still being carried out in Douglas workshops and finishing work has recommenced, this week, on the new horse tram terminus building at Derby Castle.
Obviously it is going to be some time before things return to the 'new normal' but hope that, when it does, you'll all come and see us. In the meantime I believe that this was the last steam working before the lockdown.
IMR No 13 on test train after repairs departing Douglas 18th March 2020. Courtesy Heritage Transport Volunteers Facebook page.
Keep safe.
Ray.

 

Some photos posted on Facebook yesterday (not by me) of No. 9 Douglas at Port St Mary. I haven’t seen anything on the official Facebook pages, but she’s been locked away for years because of asbestos and she is now parked outside the place where Mannin’s asbestos is being removed.

 

Using the scale of economics, wouldn't it be a good idea to remove the asbestos from no. 14 Thornhill, at the same time.
I nice idea, but it won't happen, I will get my coat!

 

The question was asked a while back [post#216]. It's probably fair to assume Thornhill's owner will be abreast of the situation, but we should all respect his privacy.

Jolly nice to see Nos. 5 and 9 in daylight, for the first time in many moons. Due to it's being in close to 'as built' condition, I'd love to see Douglas cosmetically restored, if and when the situation allows it. To judge from those piccies, it looks like no time's being wasted getting to grips with Mannin.

Many thanks to @Rob Reynolds for sharing those photos.

 

Yes, I agree we should respect his privacy.

 

Well, you'll need more engines for the Peel re-opening...

I assume they are taking the view that they have some resource now and are getting long-term fixes done, and getting economies of scale. Possibly the nearest thing to an upside to the corona virus is that they aren't having to run a railway at the same time.

Any idea what the timescale for Mannin is?

 

AIUI, there's an asbestos-free assessment to be made before we all start champing at the bit.

 

I am with you here, No9, cosmetically restored would be a fine exhibit in our museum, hopefully this might happen at some point.

 

If 1 and 6 are in the museum and 5 and 9 were cosmetically restored, I wondered whether they might be displayed outside at Douglas Station; or at Peel, Ramsey or St Johns.

 

I was thinking along similar lines, but recalling what years in the sea air did for Welsh Pony, perhaps not the kindest way to display a loco. In any place, wouldn't the main ferry terminal be a better location? After all, once one's hunted out the railway station, chances are a railway trip's already on one's mind.

 

Well you could always get No.1 back out of the museum and stick a new boiler on it...


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Send 'em a cheque or bankers draft for said boiler (I'm guessing the drawings from Fenella's could be located and dusted off in fairly short order) and I'm sure they'll oblige!

.... on the other hand, as there's already a serviceable 'small' (No.8), we could wait to see what Mannin's examination reveals.

 

When I win the Euromillions I will pay to restore all of the out of service locomotives... on condition that they are all painted blue!!!

Imagine it: a whole fleet of Manx Peacocks in early 90’s Hutchinson blue

MWA HA HA HA HAAAA!!!!

 

Why not put an IMR themed stuffed toy mascot on sale? "Pat the Rat" has a nice ring to it. While you're about it, don't forget to invest in some fire resistant, pitchfork proof underwear .... and a speedboat capable of reaching Ireland or the mainland!

 

What a horrible thought.......but if you're paying to restore 4 locos I'll let you away with it!
Ray.

 

Tut - Tut! You mean Pat the 'longtail/ringy/R.A.T. or queer fella' never "r.t" - and if you say it by mistake you have to whistle - I joke not! And as for the "mainland" surely you mean the "adjacent island" ? LOL.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

I appreciate that to most people associated with the railway the blue livery is in equal parts innovation, aberration and abhorrent, but to me it is the natural state of affairs. I started visiting the island in the late 80’s or very early 90’s, so to me Kissack’s natural colour is a dark green, Hutchinson blue, Loch red and Maitland Indian red. GH Wood is still a new loco to me. Essentially I’m not a quick learner.

I did think the comment about “the mainland” could be even more incendiary than my paint it blue!

 

One (rather pathetic) Roger Whittaker impression duly undertaken and I guess, in context of my OP ..... "adjacent islands".

 

I wonder now social distancing is ending in the IoM whether there will be any sort of service for residents over the summer.

 

Possibly a reduced service for locals as I don't expect the borders will open before Sept. at the earliest. I suppose the 'powers that be' will have to work out if it is financially viable.
It was certainly unexpected as, I think, everyone thought we'd go down to 1m from today. I'd just spent the morning arranging the station, painting lines etc., at the WLP for re-opening on Sun 21st. with 1m distancing!
Cheers,
Ray.
Edit Just noticed on the Heritage Railways Volunteers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/ that the track is being relaid at Rifle Range so not any time soon unfortunately.