Who We Are The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association was formed in 1966, the year that the Isle of Man Railway was closed for 'essential track maintenance work', although the reality was due to dwindling receipts, mounting operating losses and no funds to replace or repair the worn out track, other infrastructure and locomotives.  After an enthusiastic re-opening in 1967 under a lease agreement with Marquess of Ailsa, the lines to Peel and Ramsey were clearly not viable to maintain in operation and closed forever at the end of the 1968 season. The Port Erin line almost suffered the same fate, but tireless lobbying and continuing volunteer help provided by the Supporters’ Association persuaded the Government, Lord Ailsa’s team and the Railway Company to maintain the southern service as an important tourist attraction for the Island. Increasing losses and Government operating subsidies inevitably resulted in a welcomed nationalisation of the steam railway in 1978, securing its future.  Since 1978 the Association has actively promoted awareness and interest in the Isle of Man Railway and undertaken or participated in many Manx steam railway heritage conservation projects alongside the day-to-day operation of the railway by the Government. During that period, we have also fully restored and re-opened to the public the historic Groudle Glen Railway, some two miles to the north-east of Douglas, now a fully independent charitable organisation separate from the Association. We remain the leading charity for railway preservation on the Isle of Man and in the last 20 years, the value of our input to the Steam Railway has been in excess of £100,000 in both materials and volunteer labour. |