Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Hopefully the review will tell us what we already know, but we are dealing with politicians…..

 

Actually, that's exactly one of the things that worries me !

[the mess over here exemplifies why I think that !]

 

Wednesday night this week saw some unusual action at Port Erin station after the service trains had finished. No. 4 ‘Loch’ returned south just after 6pm with half brake F49. Staff then moved No. 11 ‘Maitland’ (the current PE based loco) out of the way before before going back through the engine shed and into the museum and drawing out the goods stock and the recently restored Manx Northern Cleminson coach, all of which are required for special trains and photo charters over the next week or so. The unusual mixed train returned to Douglas later that evening.

 

And I'm currently stuck over here !

 

Is that stuck on the big island or the little island?

 

Had my first trip to the island last week, travelled on the IOM steam railway a number of times including on the 'cream tea' dining train which was pulled by the loco Loch. Most people on the trains seemed to be locals that lived on the island.

Also we went on the Manx Electric railway, horse trams and Snaefell mountain railway. It's definitely worth the trip. As they are all run by the government you can get the 'go cards' for the number of days you want which allow unlimited travel on all, including all local buses. They just scan the card when you jump on.

Getting there is easy enough, went with Easyjet who fly from Bristol on Mondays and Fridays or from Gatwick everyday. There is also a modern bus that goes from the airport every 15 minutes right to the Douglas seafront where all the hotels are.

Seeing the Manx electric railway was probably more appealing as it's so unusual in the modern era. Travelling in 1890s wooden trams still in daily regular use on the line they were built for, wonderful. Even had a tour around the depot.

Get your trip booked!!

 

Already have, but was rather surprised to find I couldn't load on a different duration GoExplore ticket on my card from last year - I want a 7 day one this time but could only load another 5 day one by doing it online.
Queried it via e-mail and apparently the tickets are configured differently so can only be done at a proper terminal on the island!
Haven't had that anywhere else where I've bought/used a smartcard before, though most of those were in the USA.....

 

Currently stuck in SW Northumberland ...

Admittedly the weather is sunny but the strong breeze makes it seem very cold

 

We just bought ours, also 7 days from the tourist information shop in the douglas ferry terminal. They were helpful enough so just sort it when you get there. There are other places like the airport where they do them too.

 

I hope enjoy your trip !

 

Will be buying mine at Ronaldsway when I arrive, so it's not a problem. I think the weather forecast is the more troubling aspect at the moment!

 

Enjoy your visit. The 09:50 steam from Douglas in the mornings can get rather busy, get to the station early to ensure a seat, you can’t reserve in advance (unless you are with one of the coach groups that block it out, but they generally just go one way so returning from Port Erin is rarely troublesome.)

 

It was another busy day on the IMR. For the last 5 days (the schools are still on holiday this week) IoM Transport have been running the "Dino Express" in association with a Dinosaur Experience at Rushen Abbey. This involves reserved carriages on the scheduled 9.50, 11.50, 13.50 & 15.50 ex Douglas with a bus connection from Ballasalla.
A private charter for the owner/restorer of Manx Northern Railway Cleminson No.6 ran to Port Erin during the afternoon. The 6 wheeler was paired with 'Half Brake' F49 (our newest carriage built in 1926) and hauled by Manx Northern No.4 Caledonia. Unfortunately a hot box on the Cleminson delayed the 15.50 from Douglas which can be seen arriving at Port Erin some 15+ mins. late and passing the charter which has been moved into the bay platform. Loco No.4 Loch will take tonight's Dinner train to Castletown and return.
Ray.

 

Caledonia on a photo charter group working, with Manx Northern ventilated van 15 in the train. The van normally resides in the museum.

 

Representatives from the Heritage Railways Volunteers and Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters Association were pleased to welcome His Excellency The Governor Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer to Port Erin Railway Museum earlier today. His Excellency was able to view the 1873 built Governor's Saloon (now part of 'pairs' F75 with the former Officer's Saloon) and visit the 'Royal Saloon' F36 as well as the other exhibits including locos nos. 1 & 6. Further photos of the occasion and details of this year's IMR 150 and MER 130 can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom
Ray.

 

Nice to see "Caledonia" out in normal service last Thursday as well......

 

Away from the current rail operations, a couple of photos of the hand crane preserved on a short length of track at the former Union Mills station.......

 

To celebrate the Lord of Mann's Coronation yesterday all trains on the IMR carried appropriate flags and headboards. The photo below shows No.11 Maitland at Ballasalla on the 11.50 ex Douglas. No.4 Loch was on the balancing working (12.00 ex Port Erin) which it will pass at Castletown. The same locos will be in traffic today with MNR No.4 Caledonia also out on a Sunday lunch train. Further photos can be found on the IoMSRSA's recently revamped and expanded website https://www.iomsrsa.org/home
Ray.

 

This is quite a good link, you can go on a virtual tour around the inside of the IOM dining train and move it where you want to go
Had a look before I booked a trip on it.

Dining Car (matterport.com)

 

Another busy couple of days on the IMR. With 2 cruise ships in port yesterday's 9.50 ex Douglas was strengthened to 6 carriages whilst today's 9.50 had one further carriage added and hauled by MNR No.4 Caledonia replacing IMR No.4 Loch as Douglas based engine. The first photo below courtesy of the Heritage Railway Volunteers https://www.facebook.com/hrviom shows the 7 coach train arriving at Port Erin. Elsewhere on the railway the rebuild and repainting of Saloon F31 is approaching completion in Douglas workshops. The vehicle is being returned to the purple lake livery similar to how it was first delivered in 1905. Eventually all 5 Saloons that currently form the dining train will carry this distinctive livery. Further photos can be found at https://www.iomsrsa.org/home
From next Thursday, in the run up to TT, the IMR will be operating to the enhanced timetable S which will require 3 engines in steam daily.
Ray.