Manx Transport Festival

Yet another revised itinery for the 2009 Manx Transport Festival is now online at the IOMSRSA website.

http://www.iomsrsa.com/the-news/271-early-spring-issue-of-msrn

Obviously this is subject to change so please keep checking back to keep up to date. Either way, after some rather dissapointing years lately, this one looks set to be a cracker!
[-o<

 

Yep, looks like a brilliant event. Nice to see 17 getting a few timetabled runs on the south line

Incidently - good shots of 5 and 9 on your site....although a shame to see them in that state. Last saw them in 2001 when they were in a similar state - presume the warning panels have been added due to the asbestos issues?

Dave

 

DOH ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

My dad booked for us to go on holiday to IOM the week after!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well at least no moaning from Mum and the Girlfriend!!! \/ \/ \/

 

Yeah the Asbestos lagging has been sealed and thw warning stickers applied.
And yes they are still in a rather sorry state at the back of the Douglas carriage shed.
Just uploaded some photos onto my website (signature)

 

Cheers for the info Matt - I would say it's a shame that they aren't out on display however the lack of anywhere to put them and potential implications with the asbestos limits such.

Presuming you're 'in' with things on the island - how is 12s overhaul progressing?

Dave

 

My pleasure

Yeah it would be good to see them, bit as you say the problems with asbestos and space will prohibit that for now.
Although if we do get this transport museum at Jurby then that could at least remove the space issue. It also depends on what the owners (The Isle of Man Railway Society) want, which on what we have seen so far, is NOT in the engine's best interests, but let's not get political!

Yeah just a bit. Work has been slow and steady over the winter months. The boiler was removed from the frames again and hydraulic tested.
I think it has been steam tested too, but I'll have to check on that.

 

Cheers for the info Matt, info from the island is hard to come by so that's very appreciated

Dave

 

Not at all.
I'm not having much luck in getting hold of anyone on the island at present. I'll get back to you with news about the steam test next week with any luck

Matt

 

The Isle of Man Transport Festival does look good again - i will be going over for 7 days to enjoy the wonderful transport systems on the Island (on a personnal note it will be 50 years since my first visit to the Island, so its a wonderful way to celebrate for me!) - lets hope the sun shines!
It would be wonderful to see 5 & 9 (I remember my last run to Port Erin behind 5 Mona in 1968 if my memory serves me ) run again but i very much doubt this will ever happen, the costs involved now would seem to be beyond the scope of a small presevation group.In truth the railway isnt too badly off for locos,its the coaching stock that is becoming the worry. l know from talking to some of the staff on the railway that several of the coaches now have scrap size wheel sets and will have to be withdrawn until new tyres / wheel sets are obtained.
I hope that enthusiasts do come over to the island again for this event ( its the cost of getting there which puts people off, i have spent over £230 to take the car and my son and i using the cheapest options - the most expensive option was just shy of £400) , the publicity so far has not been good - this is an area that the railways need to address , they have a wonderful railway heritage on the Island and it needs increased publicity to make more people aware of its undoubted charms.

 

The full 'gen' courtesy of IoM Transport

Manx Heritage Transport Festival 30 July to 5 August 2009
Thursday 30 July
“Welcome to Isle of Man Transport”
Evening Film Show at the Villa Marina presented by the
Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters Association
Starts at 19.30 Admission Free

Friday 31 July

10.20 and 14.20 Douglas to Port Erin, and 12.20 and 16.20 Port Erin to Douglas trains will be the first to be operated by locomotive No. 10 “G H Wood” turned to face Douglas.
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets)

Viking Venture

Additional trains from Port Erin to Colby at 11.25 and 15.25, returning at 11.55 and 15.55, hauled by diesel locomotive No. 17 “Viking”. Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets)

Manx Northern

Special train at 09.00 from Douglas to Port Erin (arr. 10.55), returning at 14.35 and arriving back in Douglas at 16.15, with photo stops at stations en route and crossing service trains at Colby. Operated by ex- Manx Northern locomotive “Caledonia”, MNR Foxdale brake coach F39, and MNR goods van G12. Very limited capacity – special reservation ticket required.
Fare – usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets), plus special reservation ticket (£10).

Port Erin Evening Special

Special train from Douglas to Port Erin at 18.30, returning non-stop at 21.00
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets)

Saturday 1 August

All service trains double-headed or banked between Douglas and Port Soderick

Great Laxey Mines Railway in operation. Demonstration ore trains.

The Dhoon Diesel

Special diesel-hauled services on the MER – Laxey to Dhoon Quarry and back at 11.40, 13.40 and 15.10 (one hour round trip). Tram trailer hauled by vintage Ruston diesel locomotive (courtesy of RMS Locotec Ltd).
Special fares apply – Adult £5.00, Child £2.50.
Catch a Cab

Locomotive Cab rides from Laxey to Fairy Cottage and back at 10.25, 11.00, 13.00 and 16.30 (25 minute round trip) on vintage ex-Bord na Móna (Irish Turf Board) Simplex diesel locomotive (courtesy of RMS Locotec Ltd). Very limited capacity. Special fares apply
(adult passengers only) £10.00. Advance reservation only.


National Service

10.10 Derby Castle – Ramsey and 11.40 Ramsey – Derby Castle services operated by
Tram No.16 and Trailer No.60 in the 1957 “Nationalised” green livery.
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets).


Northern Lights

Special evening guided tram tour at 18.30 from Douglas (Derby Castle) to Ramsey, arriving back by 22.15 with a 30 minute refreshment break at Laxey on the outward journey and a 45-minute break at Ramsey. Commentary on places and items of special interest en route, with special stops as appropriate. Limited capacity – special reservation tickets required. Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets) –
plus reservation ticket (£10.00 – inclusive of refreshments at Laxey)

Sunday 2 August

Groudle Glen Railway operating, with a two-train service all day.
Steam, diesel and battery locomotives in use.

Great Laxey Mines Railway operating, including demonstration ore trains.

Steam road wagon on display at Laxey

Miniature railway in operation at the Curraghs Wildlife Park.

MER Society Film Show in the evening (to be arranged)

Coastal Connector

Special MER tram shuttle service between Groudle (for the Groudle Glen Railway) and Laxey (for the Great Laxey Mines Railway) – both of which will be in operation. Operated by an open cross-bench tram hauling MER Mail Van No. 4.
Departures from Laxey to Groudle at 10.30, 12.00, 13.30, 15.00 and 16.30
Departures from Groudle to Laxey at 11.10, 12.40, 14.10, 15.40 and 17.10
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets)


Ramsey Ruston

Special tram service with vintage Ruston diesel locomotive hauling a tram trailer from Laxey to Ramsey at 11.15, and returning from Ramsey to Laxey at 13.45. Courtesy of RMS Locotec Ltd. Special fares apply – Adult £10.00, Child £5.00


Double Vision

10.20 Douglas – Port Erin and 12.20 Port Erin – Douglas trains double headed.
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets)


Monday 3 August
MER trams 1 and 2 in use. All saloon trailers in use. Mail van No. 4 attached to 11.40 Derby Castle to Ramsey and 13.40 Ramsey to Derby Castle services.
Open wagon attached to some Snaefell Mountain Railway services.
Snaefell Sunset
Special evening tram from Laxey to Snaefell Summit at 19.15, arriving back by 22.00, including a visit to the original 1895 SMR Laxey Station (now a branch line to the Snaefell Tram Depot) en route, and a photographic stop opposite the Great Laxey Wheel. Refreshments available at Snaefell Summit station, where a short astronomical talk will be given by Howard Parkin of the IoM astronomical Society, as well as a short guided tour of the flora and fauna at the summit by John “Dog” Callister.
Connecting tram from Douglas (Derby Castle) at 18.40, arriving back in Douglas at 22.30.
Special fares apply – From Laxey – Adult £10.00, Child £5.00. From Douglas – Adult £12.00, Child £6.00.

Caledonia
10.20 Douglas – Port Erin and 12.20 Port Erin – Douglas trains hauled by former Manx Northern Railway locomotive “Caledonia”.
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets).




Tuesday 4 August

Display of unusual railway vehicles at Laxey station, including the NATS (National Air Traffic Services) diesel railcars used on the Snaefell line, a vintage IMR Wickham Railcar, and
on-track machines used by trackwork contractor RMS Locotec.

Evening services operating on the Groudle Glen Railway
Connecting tram service from Derby Castle and back, as per MER timetable.
Special inclusive fares apply for return tram journey and Groudle Glen Railway travel.
£5.00 Adult, £3.00 Child.

National Service

10.10 Derby Castle – Ramsey and 11.40 Ramsey – Derby Castle services operated by
Tram No.16 and Trailer No.60 in the 1957 “Nationalised” green livery.
Usual fares apply (including Explorer tickets).

Maria

12.45 and 14.30 Laxey – Dhoon Quarry and back (one hour round trip) operated by MER diesel-electric tram No. 34 “Maria” and two trailers.
Special fares apply – Adult £5.00, Child £2.50.

Launch and renaming of re-liveried Ruston diesel locomotive (formerly “Bertie”) at Laxey station at 11.15.

The Dhoon Diesel

Special diesel-hauled services on the MER – Laxey to Dhoon Quarry and back at 11.40, 13.40 and 15.10 (one hour round trip). Tram trailer hauled by vintage Ruston diesel locomotive (courtesy of RMS Locotec Ltd).
Special fares apply – Adult £5.00, Child £2.50.

Wednesday 5 August
Tour of the Island by vintage bus – to be arranged.
Evening services operating on the Groudle Glen Railway.
Connecting tram service from Derby Castle and back, as per MER timetable.
Special inclusive fares apply for return tram journey and Groudle Glen Railway travel.
£5.00 Adult, £3.00 Child.

Evening trip from Derby Castle to Ramsey and back with an open cross-bench tram and two bulkhead trailers, to be arranged by TLP Tours.

All Events are subject to availability of stock.

Further details please contact
Isle of Man Transport Customer Services Manager on 01624 663366

 

Event rapidly went downhill today, Tuesday 4 August 2009. After several days of extremely wet and dull weather (over which no-one has any control of course), today failed to see the unveiling of the LOCTECH Ruston diesel at 11.15, neither were the AM Snaefell diesels on show at Laxey station. There was no-one to explain what had happened, but the grapevine has it that the holder of the keys to these vehicles, who is also the sole driver of them, was off the Island on holiday! Had no-one arranged for the keys to be maxde available so that the advertised appearance of the vehicles could be honoured? You coudln't make it up could you?
Howard