Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Reckon there's any discount for people with a Manx surname?

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Is this the property with the 7-1/4" gauge line alongside the IoMSR?

 

It is indeed.
Ray.

 

I see that Tim C has regained the DoI chalice ...

Tim Crookall: Isle of Man infrastructure minister reappointed - BBC News

 

Is he the one whos painted the railways in a bad light?

 

https://www.iomtoday.co.im/property...6nwjqqFQI_6VpFADUE6rcyzwYs#Echobox=1695222947

A bit cheaper than Crogga! Port Soderick station up for sale again, for £825,000.

 

Every year, as part of the Manx National Heritage Open Days, members of IoM Rly's Heritage Volunteers take members of the public around Douglas steam workshops and signal box to show what is going on 'behind the scenes' and how their taxes are being spent! These free tours are nearly always booked up almost as soon as they are announced and yesterday was no exception. The overwhelming impression given was that people here are very supportive of what they see as their railway and are quite upset that certain politicians are questioning its future. MNR No.4 Caledonia was in the workshop having a few other jobs done after receiving a couple of new springs to replace the ones found to be broken on it's return from Knockaloe in late July. Behind it was the privately owned MNR Cleminson carriage which was getting attention to the bearing which ran hot on its trip to Port Erin earlier in the season. In the running shed No.13 Kissack was awaiting it's next turn of duty in the company of No.9 Douglas which is being cosmetically restored by retired driver Jeff Kelly and another volunteer. Also in the running shed one bogie of recently overhauled Foxdale carriage F39 was receiving further attention whist in the paint shop 'small F' carriage F11 (0f 1881) was starting receive its first coats of gloss paint. If at all possible we like to time a visit to the signal box to coincide with an arrival or departure as seen below of No.4 Loch (1874) on the 11.50 to Port Erin. Further tours take place next Saturday 7th Oct. Further photos and news of the upcoming Polar Expresses can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom
Ray.

 

The dates for the 2024 Transport Festival are July 30th to August 4th. These dates tie in neatly with the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Douglas to Port Erin line on the steam railway and the 130th anniversary of the MER to Laxey
No specific details just yet, but we’ll be submitting suggestions to the events team in due course

 

What are the chances of a visiting engine on the IOMSR? I know 3ft locos are limited but Blyth and Nancy are running and it would be quite nice to see them stretch their legs.

 

Transportation costs and insurance would hinder any chances I would imagine to start with, then add cost of testing clearances, loading gauges, wheel profiles etc.
but who knows if the will was there to try and make it happen

 

Well, the Groudle Glen have had visitors in the past, so it shouldn't be impossible - perhaps by offsetting some of the costs by using the visitor for charters etc.

 

Apart from the costs that Mike mentioned Blyth and, to a lesser extent, Nancy have accumulated very little mileage since being built/rebuilt so there would be a very real risk that the longer, steeper IMR could result in problems like running hot etc. and we would, presumably, be responsible for any resulting damage and repairs. Personally I think it would be great to see a Sharpie running on the IMR again but, in view of the recent budget cuts, I think it unlikely in the near future. We are assuming, of course, that the owners would be willing to loan out their 'new toy'........
Ray.

 

And as we found out in January this year, just because something is 3ft gauge, it doesn’t necessarily follow it will run faultlessly on 3ft gauge track

 

Always fancied seeing a DRGW K-36 there...

 

...... don't think the bridges or platform edges would appreciate it! Seriously though, for one of the events in the 90's (can't remember if it was '93 or '98) there were plans to bring Dan Markoff's Eureka to the Island as a USAF 'exercise' but they fell through for various reasons.
Ray.

 

The Snaefel railway is 3'6"...

Anyone want to pay shipping from NZ...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NZR_H_class

 

IMR loco No.12 Hutchinson has returned to home metals from off-island contractors, arriving on the island on the morning of 26th October. The frames, new boiler, bunker and other smaller components have been delivered to the railway's workshops at Douglas Station where work will now commence on reassembling the locomotive for a return to traffic next season. The photos show the locomotive being collected from Bridgnorth and upon arrival back in the works.
The railway continues to operate until 29th October with two more days of timetable “R” in place; this week has also seen the Dragon Express trains operate for Hop-Tu-Naa, with headboard, and the final Curry Club train of the season runs this evening, followed by a Murder Mystery train on Saturday evening. No.4 Loch, No.11 Maitland and No.13 Kissack have all been in service this week. Photos courtesy of Fred Quaye. Further information and photos can be found on the IoMSRSA's website.
Ray.

 

As the 2023 season draws to a close it was pleasing to hear the we have had a very successful season with ridership on the Heritage Railways up by 30% on 2019. Now for an unashamed plug! After a short break the seasonal dining trains start on Wed. 6th Dec and run through to New year's Eve. Full details can be found at steamdining@gov.im The Polar Expresses will operate on the 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st,22nd and 23rd of December between Douglas and the "North Pole" (aka Santon!). These can be booked at www.rail.im
The 2024 season on the steam railway will run from Friday 15th March to Sunday 3rd.Nov. The 6-day 2024 Transport Heritage Festival will be held from 30th July to 4th August. Further details at https://www.iombusandrail.im/heritage/events-and-experiences/special-events-2024/
As I'm sure I've mentioned previously my colleagues and I from the Heritage Railways Volunteers https://www.facebook.com/hrviom escort visiting groups around the Port Erin Railway Museum and the Douglas workshops (amongst other jobs!) and one company alone has brought 37 groups over this year. In talking to these folks what has been most noticeable is that some 90-95% of them are making their first trip to the Island and can't believe how much heritage transport is concentrated in just 220 sq. miles. More than once I've heard "Why haven't we been here before?" So, if you didn't make it in 2023, we'd really love to see you in 2024.
Ray,

 

Is there likely to be an event around Easter in 2024 on the steam railway? TIA

 

AFAI only the Dino Expresses (see https://www.iombusandrail.im/heritage/events-and-experiences/special-events-2024/ ).
Ray.