Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Aha so it's in Cumbria.

 

Nice one Ray! Methinks someone's perhaps unaware of the 'gentlemen's agreement' we observe, concerning public discussions of any IMR loco numbered between 12A and 15.

Anyone unfamiliar with what the hell we're on about is politely directed to the film 'Fight Club's' rules 1 and 2 for such further clarification as many be needed!

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-53683798

I was going to say I hope the bridges were built for a higher axle-load than a bicycle, but I'm not sure the originals were...

Is this progressing at all btw?

 

They erected scaffolding around the piers of Glen Mooar viaduct last year to remove vegetation and repair the stonework. AFAIK the work is progressing but I did hear a rumour that more work than anticipated is involved - standard operating procedure for the DoI. Elsewhere vegetation clearance took place on the trackbed between Ballaleece Br. and St.Germans which upset the usual whiners on Manx Radio. Overall there has been very little about the project in the news but it'll be pretty spectacular when its done.
Ray.

 

From what I've gleaned, concerning undertaking anything more contentious than building a sandcastle on the IoM, I rather suspect these two observations mightn't be entirely unconnected.

So, for us lot, while it's very much an "Option B" use for the old MNR route, taking harsh reality into account, securing the trackbed for generations to come just has to be a welcome development, as is the fact it creates a very useful public amenity in the process.

 

IoM Transport has, today, announced a mini Heritage Transport Festival for the end of the month. Unfortunately, due to the short notice, some of our regulars may not be able to arrange travel from off-island but, if you can make it, we'd love to see you.
Ray.

 

I missed this snippet yesterday:
Due to popular demand, Isle of Man Railways have been able to increase the Saturday Steam timetable.

From this Saturday (17th July) until the 11th September we will now operate timetable S which means six journeys each way from Douglas and Port Erin.

Ian Longworth, Direction of Transport Services said ‘We have been overwhelmed by the amount of people who have been enjoying our Heritage Railways and want to thank you all for the ongoing support’.

All our up to date railway timetables can be found on www.rail.im

Ray.

 

dammit! our steam racket ticket rolled over when the Manx was cancelled. Perhaps we should have waited and come over anyway (alas, we have booked other holidays now). Glad it's going well for you anyway.

Is there any projected date/vague feeling in the waters as to when #16 is likely to be finished

 

Sorry that you can't make it this time Mike - maybe next year? As regards No16 - still no change in the official statement "being assessed for a possible return to service". When I'm allowed to say more I will definitely post an update.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Thanks for the info Ray, very intriguing

 

Rolling stock restorations often go on 'under the radar' and don't seem to have the same web presence as loco restorations. The blogs from the C&W chaps at the GCR, NVR and Glos Warks are notable exceptions.
Here on the Isle of Man 'pairs' carriage F62 (with A1 & B1 bodies of 1873) recently returned from Stanegate Restorations but it has not yet re-entered traffic. Disappointingly it wasn't featured in the otherwise excellent feature on Stanegate in the current 'Steam Beano'.
Elsewhere the IMR's oldest item of goods rolling stock, G1 also dating from the railway's opening in 1873 has just returned to the railway following restoration. Professionally rebuilt on Island and funded by the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters Association it is currently in Douglas workshops having the last few jobs done. The photos below, courtesy of IoMSRSA show G1 before restoration, prepared for transport and following its return last week.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Just a reminder that our mini Heritage Transport Festival starts next Friday. Special events such as the workshop tours (always popular) can be booked here: https://www.iombusandrail.im/heritage/events-and-experiences/mini-transport-festival-2021/
As I posted last Thursday, due to demand, the IMR timetable has been 'tweaked' to allow for 3 train working on Saturdays so the current printed leaflet is already out of date. This is the correct one:

Despite the short notice I hope that some of you from the 'adjacent island' can make it. In addition to the timetabled trains there are dining trains ex Douglas @ 19.00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and @ 12.10 on Sunday. The dining trains all go to Castletown except Thursdays' Pie & Mashes which go to Port Erin for which the Railway Museum is open. The evening trains offer different photo opportunities as the sun is on the other side of the line in many places. I'll be one of the steam workshop guides on Saturday and running the Orchid Line miniature railway at the Wildlife Park on Sunday (not Saturday as per IoM rlys leaflet) and would be pleased to meet any other Nat.Pres members.
Cheers,
Ray.
p.s. Recently restored 'pairs' carriage F62 returned to traffic yesterday for the first time since 1987.

 

Today is the final day of our mini HTF and is focused on the Manx Electric Railway. We had a very busy and successful day on the steam railway yesterday with six coach trains out of Douglas, five out of Port Erin, and all well filled. Being a Saturday there were 6 departures each way and locos were swapped and trains turned round in as little as 15 minutes. All 3 locos (Nos 4,13 & 15) carried headboards and the crews entered into the spirit of the occasion by moving locos around and staging an impromptu 'double departure' for the photographers on the signal box steps. All the workshop tours were fully booked and everyone expressed great interest in the recently restored MNR Cleminson six-wheeler and 1873 goods van G1. Lots of photos are available at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/
If you missed this mini HTF (it was short notice after all) there's going to be another, including a photo special, at the end of October:

Cheers,
Ray.

 

Looks like it has a new set of tanks made from what I could glimpse from a discreet distance...I could be wrong though...

 

Isle of Man Railways have, today, issued an updated timetable/guide leaflet which covers the IMR, MER & SMR up to the end of October and the Dining trains into the New Year.
For the first time there will be a "Winter" Heritage Transport Festival 27 - 31 October with all the usual 'favourites' including workshop tours, a photographers' special, a closed line bus tour and much, much more.
Ray.

 

A very enjoyable damp weeks stay on the Isle of Man (delayed from last Easter), video featuring all three operational steam locomotives above.

 

I enjoyed watching that ..... thanks for posting it. Sorry about the weather so probably best not to mention that the forecast is for dry and sunny next week - oops!
Cheers,
Ray.

 

A most enjoyable video. Thank you kindly for sharing it on here.

Ben

 

A few weeks back I went to a gardens event and the afterevent tea and cakes was at Ballaugh Bowling Club.

The flowerbeds caught my attention somewhat....

Now what does this have to do with railways?....


Well red sandstone recycled blocks.....in Ballaugh....

Anyone thinking what I'm thinking?...

 

Without knowing what you are thinking it's hard to say!