Isle Of Man Steam Railway

But still would wish them to keep paying the bills without financial oversight, presumably? If you want access to public funds, you’ve got to have it. You’ve also got to accept that politicians - elected by us - can turn off that tap.

Management of any organisation has also got to meet public policy, for example in railways’ case safety and environment (e.g. coal).

 

There is a fine line between responsible levels of oversight and downright interference for what looks like political "pointscoring" ...

The former is, of course, acceptable - but the latter, I don't think so ...

Current UK examples, IMO, would be railway accident investigations for the former compared to the conditions regarding service frequency some franchisees have to cope with.

 

As part of the IMR 150 celebrations guides from the Heritage Railways Volunteers will be taking visitors around Douglas workshops on Tuesday and Saturday this week. Those unable attend the event might be interested in a series of photos taken around the running shed and workshops yesterday and which can be viewed at https://www.iomsrsa.org/news/2023/around-the-works-22nd-july
Ray.

 

Does anyone know if Caledonia is going to be working on ordinary service trains this week please? I have never seen her in steam and whilst I would like to participate in as many railway celebrations this week, I have to be selective as I have my better half with me, so I can't be too selfish.

 

Caley was steamed this afternoon after its return from Knockaloe and was due to take this evening's photographers' mixed train but was failed with 2 broken springs. It is planned to change the springs tomorrow and send it to Port Erin as a test after the last service train and bring No.5 back into Douglas. It will be at the Extravaganza on Sunday but, as regards other days, my only suggestion is to look on https://www.iomsrsa.org/home and scroll down to where Grant posts each day's rostered locos and carriages. Hope you are enjoying your visit.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Another very busy day on the IMR today. The 9.50 ex Douglas was load 7 with 8 per compartment, absolutely packed and double-headed by Nos.4 & 13 as sen in the first photo taken from Douglas signal box. All of today's workshop tours were fully booked months ago so we added extra tours for 'walk-ups'. After the last service train No.4 marshalled a mixed train comprising open wagon H1, newly restored van G1 and Foxdale brake F39 (just out from a running gear overhaul) which it then took to Santon and back for the photographers' chasing bus. The second photo shows the train awaiting the 'rightaway' from Santon.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Does this mean that tomorrow night's charter at Douglas with it is cancelled?
Thanks

 

Thanks very much indeed for that information.

kind regards

kalahari

 

No, the revised version as shown in https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2837/year-of-the-railways-2023-extra-information.pdf is still running but I assume another loco will replace Caledonia if it has gone down to Port Erin. Unfortunately the broken springs were an unexpected complication that we could do without. 'Hope it doesn't spoil your enjoyment.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

From the IOM facebook

I'm arriving tomorrow and had hoped for a return trip after arriving from Liverpool but sadly timetable R doesn't allow it.

 

A couple of photos from this evening, first showing a few hardy souls braving the Manx 'liquid sunshine' at Douglas station while No.4 Loch marshalls its MNR mixed train. The second shows No.11 Maitland and No.5 Mona at Santon (hopefully for just a routine check around) en-route to Douglas in preparation for Sunday's Extravaganza. Further photos and videos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom
Ray.

 

Seeing the R/Rail dumper in the photo.
Can anyone say what other Civil Engineering vehicles are on the IOM?
Tampers, Cranes etc>

 

These 2 were at Douglas station in May.....





The loco was obviously coupled to something via a rigid bar, which I think was a wagon of some sort. No doubt someone will be able to say exactly what!

 

Can anyone confirm if the goods train with Loch has been retimed at all tomorrow given the swapping of the timetable?
Many thanks

 

What are the timetable changes? Have been not of Douglas for a few days and lost track of any changes. I did notice that the original return freight train clashed with the 1445 PE to Douglas passenger service.
Cheers, Neil

 

Caledonia unfortunately broke two springs and isn't available for traffic, so today and tomorrow changed from the S Timetable to the R Timetable

 

9-coach Pie and Mash Double Header shortly after leaving Colby

 

The original published times for Loch's mixed train are the same as Wednesdays Saloon runs. The Saloon times were however amended on the day. Departure from Douglas was 10.25 as advertised. The Port Erin to Castletown run was achieved by adding the Saloons to the 12 noon service train and top and tailing. The train was the divided at Castletown, where they remained in the loop, whilst the 12.27 to Port Erin passed. Loch then departed wrongside at 13.00 for Port Erin. Here the 14.00 service train departed from the bay, Loch then shunted the Saloons there, awaiting the 14.50 arrival from Douglas. And at a retimed 14.55, Loch departed back to Douglas. This avoided having to open Colby loop. Whether the same pattern will be adopted for Friday...I think the best thing is to get to Douglas early and ask. But it gives an idea of how the extra train fitted into timetable R.

Hope this helps.