“Whistle-Up” : Wednesday 1st January 2025
Bringing in 2025 in style, the the railway participated in the worldwide “Whistle-Up” today, Wednesday 1st January at Douglas Station as part of the Rail 200 commemorations. No.11 Maitland and M.N.Ry. No.4 Caledonia were in steam for an event with the workshops and running shed open from 10.30am for public inspection and the Supporters’ Association on hand to provide refreshments for visitors. The whistles were sounded at noon as with many other railways across the country. The workshops remained open for public inspection until 1.30pm where visitors could view winter works taking place on No.4 Loch, the newly repainted No.18 Ailsa and our progress on No.9 Douglas.
Thank You!
Grateful thanks to everyone who attended the “Whistle-Up” hosted by the Supporters’ Association with the kind assistance of Isle of Man Railways. Nearly 100 people attended the workshops over the course of the morning and partook of refreshments in the paintshop beside Royal Saloon F.36 which is in the process of being refurbished. Also on view were carriage F.48 which is being repainted, the frames of No.12 Hutchinson, the diesel railcars and No.13 Kissack which is presently being repainted in the brunswick green livery with black and vermilion lining out. Head over to our official Facebook Page to see some of the live videos of the event.
No.11 Maitland and M.N.Ry. No.4 Caledonia in the new year sunshine outside the workshops for the event.
View from the footplate of No.11 Maitland as noon approaches and whistles were sounded, this whistle being fitted for the occasion.
No.18 Ailsa and No.25 Sprout in the running shed which was open for inspection by the public for the event.
No.11 Maitland outside the workshops for the event carrying the spring green livery of the Ailsa Era and looking very smart.
The railway continues to operate dining services and there are Fireman’s Brunch and Pie & Mash trains on Friday 3rd January, closing the festivities with Fireman’s Brunch and Manxman Lunches on Saturday 4th January.
The season will then commence on Thursday 20th March. The next edition of our official journal Manx Steam Railway News is also due towards with a deadline for submissions of the end of January and publication as soon as possible thereafter.
The dining train leaflet for 2025 has been published and bookings are now open - you can view the full itinerary by clicking the image to the right; the usual mix of themed events and popular Pie & Mash trains are returning for 2025.
🎉🎉🎉 Happy New Year ! 🎉🎉🎉