In The Workshops

As the year began the major overhaul of No.12 Hutchinson had been completed and it was understood that the locomotive would be repainted in the same blue livery.  No.12 was noted in steam on 2nd February and ran on a test run as far as the Nunnery Bridge.  The annual survey of the remaining locomotives, No.4 Loch, No.11 Maitland and No.13 Kissack by the Boiler Inspector is expected to be undertaken shortly.  This should mean that all four locomotives will be in service this summer, the first time for two years.  No.12 Hutchinson in her repainted blue livery was on display the public during the Easter period and was seen for the first time in service on 27th April, while No.11 Maitland was having her boiler insurance examination. No.13 Kissack also received attention from the painters and appeared back in service for the extra services at the end of May.

Stock Round-Ups

F.25 received bodywork attention and a repaint; F.41 and F.29 again bodywork repairs and to be re-roofed; work on F.18 is proceeding while F.43 is awaiting for major bodywork repairs and a repaint.  F.9 which has been in use as a Passenger Transport Enquiry office on Douglas Promenade near to the Sea Terminal since 1978, was returned to the railway on 26th January.  Its future is not known, but it is hoped that the carriage will be returned to service: following an overhaul, refitting of the seats and a repaint.  The other enquiry office next door to the Sefton Hotel is understood to be under review with the possibility of having a new shop front fitted and better utilisation of the interior.  Stock noted in service this summer have included the following:- F.10, F.11, F.15, F.18, F.25, F.26, F.39, F.41, F.45, F.46, F.47, F.48, F.49, F.62, F.66, F.67 and the “Party Train” set consisting of F.31, F.35 and F.32. All four serviceable locomotives, No.13, No.12, No.11 and No.4 as well as the diesel railcars have been in passenger service.  The party train has continued to see regular private hire use.  A trip along the line at the end of the season noted the following rolling stock was no in various sidings. At Santon there was M.70, G.1 and Empress Van while on the only remaining siding at Ballasalla was R.44, R.65 (ballast hopper), R.54, the well wagon and G.19. The frames of No.7 Tynwald were on board R.64 at Castletown.  [Note: references to the runners as “R” series are sic.]

Winter Stock Movements

No.13 Kissack has been the only locomotive is service this winter, operating at various times to different sections of the line delivering rail, sleepers and ballast.  The diesel railcars during January were stabled at Ballabeg Station with a runner and G.19 for the use of the south gang.  Stabled at Santon Station were an Empress Van, a “G” Van and a runner.  Jeff Kelly and John Elkin who have been working on the crib bridges mentioned earlier, have had the use of an ex-Manchester 19-seater single deck bus, it is understood that a sign in the rear window says “Kelly Tours”! 

Permanent Way

Our report this issue begins with events on the permanent way.  The relay at Oakhill begun before Christmas is now completed.  From last year’s relay which finished Douglas end of the rock cutting, work this winter continued in the Douglas direction, and a section as far as Oakhill Bridge has been ballasted and relayed with 75lb. rail laid on new sleepers.  Meanwhile at Castletown Station, the east end of the loop has been re-sleepered and ballasted with some new rail laid, together with spot re-sleepering in the direction of Ronaldsway Halt and near the sewage works at Ballasalla Station.  The crib bridges at Ballaquiggin have been attended to, the metalwork scaled and painted and new padstones.  Once the Christmas break was over, preparations began for the relay of the section from the road bridge, through Ballabeg Station and in the direction of Castletown Station. This area has been troublesome for some years with excessive drainage problems.  It is intended to resolve the drainage situation, and relay the line with ballast and new sleepers and rail. Spot re-sleepering on the Santon straight is also on the work schedule. With only a workforce of six men in the south gang and five in the Douglas gang, the railway is rather limited in what can be achieved on the permanent way each winter, and with the Government restrictions on expenditure, it is not possible to increase the number on the railway staff despite the number of people presently unemployed on the Island.  Mainline relays which have been carried out during last Win have already been detailed in previous issues and a further section awaiting similar attention is in the Rifle Range area, where is a speed restriction presently in force. Mr. Michael Lockhart, Manx Government’s appointed railway inspector for the steam electric railways, was on the Island at the end of June, presumably carrying out his inspection of both lines and to advise of his requirements for next winter’s work programme. A Public Notice issued by Government Office in May, detail the appointments of Inspectors of Railways under the I.o.M. Passenger Transport Act 1982 as John Patrick Grace, Michael Anthony Lockhart and John Arthur Shallcross.  Spot re-sleepering will continue in The Level to Four Roads area but the major works are expected to be from the edge of Crogga Woods (the Ballacostain side) through to Ballaquiggin and if there is time, onwards to Santon Station. This work will involve remedial drainage work and considerable re-sleepering.

Pre-Season Activities

All effort on the railway is presently being concentrated in readiness for the forthcoming summer train service which begins on Easter Sunday 19th April and runs without a break (except Saturdays of course) until Friday 2nd October.  Full details of the 1987 time-table were given in the last issue. No.12 Hutchinson, following completion of her major overhaul has just emerged from the paint shops in her blue livery, although her lining out has been changed. No.13 Kissack has taken her place in the paint shops but it is understood she will not be completed in-readiness for the start of services on Easter Sunday. In addition to the various concessionary tickets referred to in the last issue as available this summer, the Railway Residents’ Tickets are again available giving unlimited travel on both the railway and electric line (excluding the mountain) or simply for one system.  The cost of an Adult combined ticket is £12.00 or £8.00 for the one line; child tickets are available at half the above fare, provided they bring along with them gt the time of purchase, a pass-port photograph with the name on the back. A number of pre-season special trains have been noted leaving Douglas on various occasions. On 7th March, No.11 left with a return special to Santon, followed by two further trips on Wednesday 25th March and Sunday 29th March, bound for Castletown Station. Again No.11 was in charge, with the ‘party train’ set in use. Repairs to the coaches mentioned in the last issue continue, although two coaches have now been repainted and should see service this season. F.9 formerly used as a Passenger Transport enquiry office on Douglas Promenade, is expected to be moved into the coach workshops shortly, for work to commence with a view of returning it to rail service.

Douglas Station

An amazing construction is underway at Douglas Station as the notes are being written. A wooden fence is being built which will eventually separate the railway and bus operations; it will extend from the security gates at the south end of the railway yard to Douglas Station building.  Apparently the cost is understood to in the region of £3,500 is to be shared between the railways bus division of the same department.

 Ballabeg Station

One other item of work carried out last winter which has not been reported before, has been the construction and erection of a verandah to the platelayers but at Ballabeg Station, thus providing cover for waiting passengers for the first time in the station’s history.  The job was completed by Jeff Kelly.

Port Erin & Port St. Mary

Work still continues on the refurbishment of the Port Erin engine shed roof; this being undertaken by a local company, Manseda Limited who are acting as sub-contractors for the railway.  The goods shed at Port St. Mary is presently being used by Monty Skinner, the licensee of the Shore Hotel, as a disco.

The 1987 Timetable

This year’s summer timetable of train services began two earlier than expected with the operation of public services on Friday 17th April. The train made up of No.11 Maitland and F.46, F.47 and F.49 left Douglas at 11.00am with 125 passengers on with a return departure at 3.00pm from Port Erin. The advertised t service of four trains each way commenced on Easter Sunday 19th April with No.11 working from Douglas (with the same s as the previous Friday) and No.4 Loch with F.41, F.11, F.39, and F.15 the south terminus.  The timetable was published at the beginning of the year' and shows a number of minor changes on previous years, Sunday to Friday, 19th April to 2nd October [see elsewhere for Saturday services].  Douglas departures at 10.10am, 10.50am*, 11.45am, 2.10pm and 4.10pm and Port Erin departures at 10.15am, 12.05pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm*, and 4.15pm (* Monday to Thursday, July and August only).  Santon Station, Ronaldsway Halt & The Level  are request stops, all trains stop as required; passengers wishing as to alight must give notice to the guard, those desiring to join must give a hand clear to the driver.   

It will be noted therefore, that the extra services will only operate on Mondays to Thursdays at the height of the season, Sunday having been deleted this year, following poor passenger loadings in the past two years. Reference is also made on the timetable to the matter of Saturday services; none are shown but it states that “on certain Saturdays during the season, an excursion will run between Douglas and Castletown and special notices will be displayed at stations giving details”.  It is understood that these Saturday services will only operate when a special train has been booked for the German visitors who are expected again this summer.

Fares & Tickets

Ordinary passenger fares have been increased, giving principal return fares from Douglas to Ballasalla £1.90; Castletown £2.40; Port St. Mary/Port Erin £3.15. A child between 5-15 years will be charged half fare, families paying for the first child only, the remainder being free to a maximum of four children. Concessionary tickets available this season will be Joint Rail Ticket available for seven days from the date of issue, giving unlimited travel on the M.E.R. and on the I.M.R and including one trip on the Snaefell Mountain Railway. Price: £10.50 Adults £5.25 children.  Rail Rover Giving three days (not necessarily consecutive) within seven days, unlimited travel on the M.E.R. and I.M.R. and including one trip on the S.M.R., price: £7.00 adults £3.50 children - family concession applies.  Rail/Bus Ticket available for five days from date of issue, giving unlimited travel on the M.E.R.(excluding Snaefell) and I.M.R. and on all Passenger Transport Buses. Price: £11.80 Adults; £5.90 Children.  Rover Ticket giving two days (not necessarily consecutive) within seven days, unlimited travel both railway and tramway, and including a return trip on the Snaefell Mountain Railway. price: £5.80 adults and £2.90 children.

Management Changes

As the last issue of this journal went to press, confirmation of rumours of the impending retirement of the Transport Department’s chief’ executive was received with an advertisement appearing in the Isle of Man Courier newspaper on 17th April.  Mr. William Jackson first appeared on the Manx scene during the time of the reopening of the Laxey-Ramsey section of the Manx Electric Railway, later becoming chief executive that line and railway on 13th January 1978 with the bus division under Isle of Man National Transport coming under his control in 1980.  He will retire in the position of Chief Officer of the Transport Section of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport; Mr. Jackson became a student of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1951, graduated in 1954, became a member in 1959 and was a Fellow in 1975. Although he celebrates his 60th birthday on 6th August 1987, he was not expected to retire from his post until sometime in September, but with accumulated holidays, has meant an earlier departure from the Manx scene on 10th July. His successor was appointed and a work permit obtained (as the successful applicant was a non-resident as expected) but it is understood that due to personal reasons, he will not be coming to take his position.   The vacant situation was re-advertised in mainland newspapers in late June. A new appointment was awaited as this issue went to press.    This has been extracted from Fly Liverpool, published quarterly on behalf Liverpool International Airport by City Press.  At the time of writing these notes (the end of October), an announcement was imminent of the appointment of the new Chief Officer for the Railways and Bus Division of the Department of Tourism and Transport.  It will be recalled that Mr. William Jackson the former Chief Officer retired in July and since then, the well known and respected General Manager, Mr. Jack Oates has been in overall command.

Railways Of The Isle Of Man

The long awaited Manx railway video became available in May, (despite railway press adverts on its availability last summer) Featuring the railway, the electric and mountain lines and the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, the eighty minute video also includes the different forms of transport which disappeared from the Island some years ago. These include the Douglas Cable Tramway, the Douglas Head Marine Drive Tramway and the Douglas Head Incline Railway. Also included are short sequences of today’s lines in the busy days of the 1930s at Derby Castle, and a short trip on the Foxdale Line.   Narrated by Charles Guard (of Manx Radio), he gives a detailed historic description of each individual transport system. The also shows the Island at its best, in wonderful sunny weather some excellent views of the Manx countryside being used as the drop to the passing steam train or electric tram. Entitled Railways Of The Isle Of Man and produced by the Department of Tourism Transport, the video costing £29.50, is available on V.H.S. or Betamax from the Douglas Station, the Summit Hotel, Terminus Buildings or direct from the Tourism Information Centre in Victoria Street in Douglas.

On The Television . . .

An I.T.V. film crew from the Sunday evening programme Highway were on the Island in May and filmed several sequences on the steam and electric railways. Star of the show, Harry Secombe was filmed at Douglas Station with No.11 and her train waiting to depart with the 2.10pm service for Port Erin. The railway sequences were shown on I.T.V. on Sunday 14th June and the M.E.R. on the following Sunday’s programme.  Ulster Television were also filming sequences at Douglas Station on 9th July for an educational programme, which it is understood will be shown on Channel Four next spring.  Also on 8th and 9th July special evening trains were run, comprising of a brake van carriage, a runner and a “G” van for the well known photographer, Colin Garratt.  

Saturday Services Return

It was announced towards the end of May, that train services on the railway would also operate on Saturdays from 23rd May to the end of the season, with the four trains operating each way. It is understood that the Minster [Mr. Allan Bell M.H.K.] of the Department of Tourism & Transport had made efforts for a similar service to be operated on Good Friday and Saturday, but objections had been made by the Traffic Management, who later allowed the one train to operate on Good Friday mentioned earlier.  Although object-ions were again made by the Traffic Management, Mr. Bell stuck to his ideals that the railway was a tourist attraction and must be operated as such, seven days a week, and for the first time since 1974, a full weeks service is now in operation.  A number of special trains have operated, either fitted into the timetable of ordinary services or in the evenings.  

1987 Special Trains

Besides steam operated specials, the railcars have also been is use; on 5th May and 8th July for Inside Track parties and 8th May for a party of two which unfortunately resulted in a breakdown at Santon on the return run and hauled back to Douglas on the rear of the 2.15pm ex-Port Erin.  The parties of German tourists are again making regular visits to the Island, and include in their itinerary a trip on the railway, normally travelling from Castletown to Douglas on the 12.05pm ex-Port Erin.  Special services on Saturdays for these German visitors had to be operated until the introduction of the full public Saturday services at the end of May.  Some days have seen eight services operating with all four locos in service.  On Sunday 24th May, special extra services were operated at 1.10pm and 1.35pm from Douglas and 3.55pm and 4.30pm from Port Erin.  A similar operation took place on the 24th and 26th June with specials leaving Douglas at 10.50am (after a call at Castletown, combined with the 11.45am ex-Douglas for the final leg to Port Erin) and 11.25am, returning from the south at 2.55pm and 3.30pm.  Evening specials with the party train set normally in use, operated amongst other days.

* 1st June: 4.30pm to Castletown (Manx Electricity Authority)

* 9th June: 10.50am to Castletown (for the Veteran Car Club)

* 13th June: 12.00pm to Santon for barbecue (Hospice Care) 

* 14th July: 7.00pm to Castletown (Tourist Department) 

* 19th July: 6.45pm to Port Erin (Mr. Cole) 

* 24th July: 7.30pm to Castletown (Manx Airlines) 

* 29th July: 12.05pm to Castletown (Details Unknown) 

* 4th August: 6.00pm to Port Erin (Edmondson Ronagency)

* 13th August: 8.00pm to Port St. Mary (Licensed Victuallers) 

* 2nd September: 3.54pm from Port Erin, (Summerland Staff) 

* 6th September: 7.30pm to Port Erin (21st Anniversary Special)

* 12th September: 8.00pm to Santon (Dr. Pilling)

* 26th September: 10.33am to Castletown (Dunedin Travel); 

* 25th September: 7.00pm to Ballasalla (Dursley Stott)

* 26th September: 5.45pm to Ballasalla (Details Unknown)

* 3rd October: 7.30pm to Ballasalla ( Groudle Glen Railway)

Of particular note was a nine-carriage train with two locomotives on 17th June for Cycle Week visitors, to Castletown, returning to Santon for a barbecue, two carriages and one locomotive returning shortly after, with the remainder of the train arriving back at 12.30am.  

High Summer Timetable

The extra public services at 10.50am ex-Douglas and 3.30pm ex-Port Erin began on 1st July and will continue to operate Mondays to Thursdays until the end of August. The Southern “100” Motorcycle Races at Castletown in the second week of July, meant the usual evening public train service from Port Erin at 5.45pm, returning from Castletown at 6.45pm.  

White Hoe Incident : 10th  July

The 12.05pm ex-Port Erin collided with a car at White Hoe crossing on 10th July; No.4 Loch suffered a broken rear buffer beam, the car was slightly damaged and the lady driver was shaken but otherwise unhurt.  

Mid-Season Figures

Tourist arrival figures for the first half of 1987 are slightly up at 367,316 an increase of 0.63% on the previous year, though the published figure for August, traditionally the “peak” holiday month arrivals were down to 94,932 (96,326 in 1986). No actual passenger figures from the railway have yet been made available but it is understood that there is no serious drop in numbers. However, the railway is continuing to attract a larger percentage each year of the tourist arrivals.  

Accident : Friday 24th July

As the result of a motor accident unconnected with the railway at Port St. Mary level crossing on Friday 24th July, train services were disrupted for some hours. The 10.15am ex-Port Erin was cancelled, and the 10.10am ex-Douglas services halted at Castletown, with passengers between there and the South being bussed.  The ex-Douglas train returned to the capital, returning south once again as the 11.45am service train which managed to get through to Port Erin.  The first train from the South was at 12.05pm (worked by the 10.15am train crew) and by the afternoon, services were back to normal with crews at first operating their opposite numbers service, changed trains (but not locomotives) at their first crossing at Castletown.

Failure & Delays : 30th July

No.11 failed en route to Santon while working the 4.15pm ex-Port Erin service on 30th July. No.4 which was working the southbound train, was summoned to give assistance, and pushed the Douglas bound train to Santon Station where No.11 made a recovery, only to fail again shortly after leaving Santon; No.4 had by the time returned south to collect her abandoned train. No.12 was sent from Douglas and brought No.11 and train to Douglas.

August Locomotive Failures

Further locomotive failures occurred on 22nd and 24th August. On the first occasion, No.13 failed on the 10.10am ex-Douglas service at the Pig Farm near Kewaigue, returning to Douglas. A late 10.10am service to the south was operated by the diesel rail cars. Two days later, the locomotive working the 10.50am ex-Douglas service failed at Castletown. Unfortunately, the locomotive on the 10.10 ex-Douglas was declared failed on arrival at Port Erin. The south bound 10.50am service train was combined with the 11.45 ex Douglas train at Castletown and ran through to Port Erin. The 12.05 ex-Port Erin was operated by a bus. No.11 was made ready for the Douglas afternoon service departures and arrivals were back to normal.

End Of The 1987 Season

The last day of public train services, Friday 2nd October, the 11.45am ex-Douglas was operated by the diesel railcars and they continued in service for the remainder of the day. No.4 and her stock remained in Douglas in-readiness for winter storage; the diesel railcars returned to Douglas some days later.  Returning to Douglas in September after a few years on loan for contract work in Guernsey was 4wDM MR22021/59 now re-gauged to three foot [further details of this reference have not been discovered, this is likely to be the second of the Simplex locomotives (now No.25) which was delivered to the railway out of gauge. Ed.]

Post-Season Activities

October, was as usual a quiet month on the railway as it is the time normally taken by the traffic and train staff to take their annual summer holidays. Expected works to be undertaken during this forthcoming winter include, the examination of every passenger coach roof, following a number of complaints from passengers of leaking roofs, and some general body repairs; on the locomotive side, there will be routine maintenance and boiler surveys for three of the serviceable steam locomotives, but No.11 Maitland will be undergoing a major overhaul and re-tubing - by the end of October, No.11 Maitland had already been stripped down in preparation for these works.  

1988 Definitive Stamp Issue

The Isle of Man Post Office Authority intend to issue on 10th February next, a Definitive stamp issue featuring the Island’s railways and tramways. These include - the Horse Tramway (1p value) the Snaefell Mountain Railway (2p value); the Marine Drive Tramway (3p value); the Douglas Head Incline Railway (5p value); the Douglas & Laxey Coast Electric Tramway (10p value); the Douglas Cable Tramway (13p value); Manx Northern Railway (14p value); Laxey Mines Railway (15p value); Port Erin Breakwater Tramway (16p value); Ramsey Harbour line (17p value); the Foxdale Line (18p value); the Baldwin Reservoir (19p value).  The designer of the stamps is Mr. A.D. Theobald and are printed by B.D.T. International Security Printing Limited.  A further issue of high value stamps including further scenes of the railway, electric line and the Groudle Glen Railway will be issued later in the year.  For those wishing further details of these issues are asked to write to - Director of Postal Services, Isle of Man Post Office Authority, Post Office Headquarters, Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man.

Peel Line Restoration...?

The Peel City Guardian newspaper of 31st October carried a story about the possibility of restoring the railway line to Peel. It is understood that the project is directly related to the proposed development of a major hotel, conference centre and leisure facilities on the Marine Parade and Headlands area of Peel by Island Resort Hotels Limited although it is unclear as to whether the same developers are involved. It had been stressed, however, that Government assistance would not be required for the railway, as the necessary finance would be provided from private resources.  Although full details have not yet emerged, considerable speculation has been caused in Peel that a group of businessmen were considering the viability of re-laying the track and running the line as an independent, commercial venture, using Isle of Man Railway locomotives and rolling stock. It was reported that the project involves bringing American tourists to the Island by boat, collecting them in horse drawn vehicles, taking them to Douglas Station, then by train to Peel, collecting them once again with pony and trap and delivering them to their final destination, the new hotel. It is expected that, if built, the line would be open to the ordinary travelling public