Today we visit the Manx Electric Railway sheds and works.
Just a photo dump, really. Lots of trams in all states of repair, and some spare parts!
And finally, the works mascot. If this falls off the building, the MER is doomed!
Next post will be the last from the Isle of Man – a visit to Groudle Glen.
The Snaefell Mountain Railway joins the village of Laxey with the summit of Snaefell, at 2,036 feet above sea level the highest point on the island. The line is 5 miles (8 km) long, is built to 3′ 6″ gauge. It uses a Fell Incline Railway System centre rail for braking on the steep gradients. The railway occasionally uses the centre rail for braking only; the cars are all now equipped with rheostatic braking, which meets all normal braking needs.
No. 5 arrives back from the summit. Note the bow pantograph collectors, and the decided bow in the bodywork – that is newer than the other carriages, as it was replaced (without a clerestory roof) after a fire. Also the ‘narrow gauge’ (well, 6″ less) Manx Electric lines in the foreground.
And awaits the return run….
No. 4, showing the Fell braking system attached to the bogies….
No. 1 seems to have added rail brakes on the bogies?
Ron sets off for the summit….
No. 1 (and Ron) arrive….
The views are worth the ride – on a clear day!
Next post, a visit to the Manx Electric Railway workshops.
Perhaps it’s worth starting today with two maps of the Isle of Man rail system. As is now, and as it was, with many more 3′ gauge lines around the island. It was rather like the Isle of Wight, with a lot of lines round a small island.
We have travelled from Port Erin to Douglas, around Douglas Bay by horse tram, and today onward to Laxey by the Manx electric railway. Our trip starts at Derby Castle…
And on to Laxey, where the 3′ Manx Electric Railway interchanges with the 3′ 6″ Snaefell Mountain Railway.
A busy station….
Trains passing through on the way to Ramsey….
A trip on Manx Electric Railway No. 2…
Next time, we’ll visit the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
Douglas is the interchange between the Isle of Man steam railway and the Manx Electric Railway. Before we venture down the electric line, we’ll spend a day at Douglas and visit the railway works.
The seaside….
The station…..
Steam to electric….
And the works….
The steam locomotives on display, all 2-4-0T’s, except the 0-6-0T ‘Caledonia’, built for the Manx Northern Railway. Most of the 16 locomotives that served the island survive in various locations.
Coaching stock being restored and repaired…
A goods van with the distinctive IOMR diagonal planking, and the ex-County Donegal railcar – that spent more time running on the Isle of Man than it did in Ireland.
The machinery in the works is still belt driven from overhead lay shafts. And the steam engine that originally powered it all has been preserved.
Next time, we really will go electric!
Today’s pictures are mostly from Port Erin, one end of the remaining section of the Isle of Man steam railway. This lovely 3′ gauge system covered much of the island in its heyday. I was fascinated with it as a teenager, but never plucked up the courage to try a GEM whitemetal kit of their 2-4-0T locos. I probably couldn’t afford it, anyway. I recall that I did build a Manx Northern Railway full brake in shellacked cardboard, with cotton beading to the coach body. I can’t remember how good it was!
First, a few views of the seaside.
Then to the railway. Running into the station and round the train.
The locos look beautifully care for.
And some original coaches in their smart red and cream livery.
Plastic sleepered track! Peco?????
And a view of the station.
Down the line to Port Soderick. The station building is privately owned.
And then through Ballasalla, Castletown and Colby….
To arrive at Douglas….
Some electric railway shots next time…
We pause our exploration of Manx trains for another ESNG meeting. It was an easy Wednesday, as we didn’t have to set up a layout – I realised on Sunday that with the summer holidays no one was using the hall between meetings. So we left the railway in place and running started immediately.
Allan had a couple of new diesels to pull his steel train.
Modern goods from Chris.
Older goods from me.
A little bit of America from Michael.
Some antiques from Mr Atfield (not including the club members.)
And the prototype pictures for the week. Tottenham Court Road in 1927. Lots of scenic detail here.
The Deptford Wharf branch. An interesting prototype, with Southern street running.
Another scenic idea for the 40’s and 50’s. Recovering an unexploded bomb (after defusing, I hope.)
And a modelling idea – just the vehicle to deal with that wagon that keeps derailing.
Back to the Isle of Mann next post…..
Looking through all the pictures Allan and Ron have given me, it has been tricky to post them in a logical manner. Although Ron has provided me with his usual day-by-day (including their ailments), it’s a small island, and they visited some places more than ones.
So I think that I’ll post these pictures by location and subject. And we’ll start with the Douglas Bay horse trams. These nearly became extinct (the trams, not the horse) but there was such an outcry that the lines have been repaired and I think relayed in places, albeit for a shorter length of line.
Douglas Bay.
The pictures capture the first day of tram operation for a number of years. Surely, this has to be the greenest way to travel!
And a visit to the tram sheds.
Did they get the red carpet out for Allan & Ron – or for the horse?
Last for today, a few pictures of Ramsey bus garage.
As the Goons sung so memorably…
I’m walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea,
I’m walking backwards for Christmas,
It’s the only thing for me.
As threatened promised, today I’ll start the pictures from Allan’s and Ron’s holiday on the Isle of Man. These may pop up from time for weeks and weeks. There are some interesting pictures of the remnants of a unique narrow gauge railway system.
We’ll start by getting them there…..
Liverpool Lime Street. Only had time for a few quick pictures here at Liverpool Lime Street. Had a nice run up from Euston this morning on Penelope the Pendolino (this was the name the side of the train.)
Sitting in departure lounge for ferry on Liverpool.
Arrival of our ferry on which we will be travelling in the luxury lounge.
Nice trip across. Don’t think we will need the rescue. (the small tower in the middle of Douglas Bay.)
Ferry 25 mins late arriving. Delayed in disembarking due to a medical emergency on board requiring an ambulance crew. Tried waiting for a bus but gave up and walked up to station to catch last train of the day to Port Erin. Very windy here.
Now that’s what I call a locomotive! More in a day or two…..
Despite the very hot afternoon, five intrepid ESNG members gathered to play trains.
We’ll start with Brian’s video of the afternoon, as it includes the set up. We don’t really move that fast….
But where were the Hill’s Angels???? (Probably a good thing they were missing – it would have put too much stress on our heart meds!)
After all that running around, I need a sit down!
Allan was setting up a long coal train…
That remained in one piece most of the time.
Mr Apps reckons he ran more trains than he had in the previous five years….
Mr Atfield tested his new Class 319’s.
Brian went European.
My T9 ran as well as ever.
At the end of afternoon, we realised that no-one will be using the hall till after Wednesday’s meeting. So we left the railway set up, and retired for a swift curry.
Finally, a couple of real railway pictures to finish. The North London Line in Shoreditch, Friday night and Saturday morning. No trains on the Saturday, as the drivers were on strike.
I’ve still got to post pictures from the Dawes Brothers’ trip to the Isle of Man, with lots of steam, electric and horse power. But for now, here are a few shots from Allan of a trip to Winchester.
Class 159’s at Basingstoke.
Woking yard.
I picked up some rail tickets yesterday, and this smart Class 66 was held at signals in Earlswood station.
And lastly, two videos that might have featured Allan, if taken at the right moment?
 | Allan Dawes on On my workbench – module… |
| “Stuttgart 202… on Stuttgart 2025 – 4… | |
 | Jonathan Caswell on Stuttgart 2025 – 4… |
 | Chuckster on Brockenhurst show 2025 |
 | snitchthebudgie on Potpourri #1130 |
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