17th August 2009

Last week I spent three days on the Isle of Man looking at museums, heritage transport and collecting a donation to Beamish.

The island needs no introduction in terms of its varied and fascinating Victorian transport system so I will confine these notes to what I saw…

Below: Douglas Station on the steam railway, with Hutchinson preparing for departure. In recent years the railway has standardised its livery for engines and rolling stock, with this very attractive 50s/60s appearance being favoured.

Below: Another view of this fine little 2-4-0 Beyer Peacock. The 15 mile route has been entirely relaid in recent years and running is spirited. Mile posts enable some timing to take place – with speeds in the high 30s being quite normal!

Below: At Port Erin there is a small museum about the island’s railway system, housed int eh former goods shed.

Below: Another view of the museum, with the larger 2-4-0 ‘Mannin’ to the right. There seem to be some rumours circulating that this engine may be restored to traffic. It was built specifically for the steeply graded route from Douglas to Port Erin.

Below: Mannin, through Peverill’s cab.

Below: Engines are shedded at both ends of the line and once Hutchinson had shunted the stock into the carriage shed, it came in for disposal. The building extends to form the museum.

Below: In the Manx Museum in Douglas is this former Douglas horse tramway car, No.14. Interestingly, this tram originally worked in South Shields, before being sold to the IoM.

Below: In the Douglas horse tramway depot were a variety of toastrack and winter saloons, as well as the restored cable tram from the long closed Douglas system.

Below: A general view inside the horse tram depot.

Below: No.18, like No.14 is another ex South Shields vehicle.

Below: Where the horse tramway ends, the Manx Electric Railway begins, with car 19 plus trailer waiting to depart for Ramsey.

Below: Even in August, business seems to be quiet. In the distance the letters on the hillside above Derby Castle depot (on the MER) can be seen.

Below: Inside the new shed at Derby Road depot.

Below: No.1 on the MER sits inside the old depot at Derby Castle. There have very recently been special events on the island – these are chronicled in Trams Magazine – see www.tramsmagazine.co.uk

Below: The Laxey Wheel is one of the most famous attractions on the island and today forms part of a heritage trail around the former mine workings. It was used to pump the extensive mine tunnel network and today is kept working as a popular tourist attraction.

Below: At Laxey the Snaefell Mountain Railway joins the MER (though the former is 3 ft 6 in gauge to accommodate the central fell rail for braking – the MER and steam railway are 3 ft gauge). No.2 awaits to ascend the mountain.

Below: In the south of the island is the Manx Folk Museum, situated in the hamlet of Craigneash.

Below: An overall view of the village.

Below: Whilst some of the village is museum, other parts are still working or occupied buildings.

Below: This horse sledge was moving hay to the stack throughout the day.

Below: Back in Douglas but now in heavy rain! Car 21 and trailer wait to depart for Ramsey.

Below: As the rain increased, the horse tramway swapped toastrack trams for winter saloons – including No.29 here.

Below: Horse tram shunting at Derby Castle in order to move No.29 into position for a run along the promenade. The depot is to the right.