nathanmallard
Well-known member
Hi
I thought I'd share some pictures of my recent visit to the Isle of Man, more specifically the Isle of Man Railway. I might do a "Part 2" for the Electric Railway and the horse trams! Anyway, some background info:
The IoMR Co. was founded in 1870 and the first line, from the now-capital Douglas to the western town (well, city actually!) of Peel opened 3 years later. It, and all subsequent lines, were built to gauge of 3ft, rare in the UK but common in Ireland and the US. The second line, from Douglas to Port Erin, in the south of the island, opened the next year. Furthermore, a third line was built by the separate Manx Northern Railway from St. Johns to the northern town of Ramsey, which was absorbed by the IoMR in 1904. A further, much shorter line was built to Port Foxdale. At it's peak the railway operated 47 miles of track, somewhat of an achievement for an island that's only 33 miles long and 14 miles wide! Sadly and inevitably, traffic eventually declined during the 1960s as buses became quicker and more comfortable, and to make matters worse tourism to the island dropped severely in the wake of cheap foreign holidays. Operations ceased on the Peel and Ramsey lines in 1968. However, the Peel line could be re-opened in the future as the trackbed is protected by the Manx government until money is raised that would make re-opening viable.
Peel Station
Map (including closed lines and MER)
Anyway, time for some images from my visit. I spent three days travelling on the line (though I only managed to do the full length trip twice) and took many photos.
No.13 "Kissack" was out on all three visits. It is seen here about to pull out of Ballasalla. It is one of the 15 Beyer-Peacock 2-4-0Ts the line uses, all but two survive. (The unlucky victims being No.2 Derby and No.7 Tynwald)
Kissack again, seen on a somewhat misty morning at Douglas. This station retains a sense of grandeur but no longer has a canopy or goods yard, which were removed in the 1990s.
No.12 Hutchinson at Douglas. Weather is not the IoM's strong point unfortunately.
It brightened up however on the return from Castletown!
Which BTW is easily the line's prettiest and most atmospheric station.
Kissack pulling out of Castletown, heading for Douglas.
Hutchinson arriving at Castletown.
Also spotted was No. 10 "G. H. Wood", and the diesel locomotive "Ailsa". Pictures from Port Erin are on a different memory card, I shall post them later.
The IoMR is one the most unique and atmospheric lines I have ever visited. There is truly nothing else like it in the UK or indeed the whole of the British Isles. It would be joy to have in Trainz.
I thought I'd share some pictures of my recent visit to the Isle of Man, more specifically the Isle of Man Railway. I might do a "Part 2" for the Electric Railway and the horse trams! Anyway, some background info:
The IoMR Co. was founded in 1870 and the first line, from the now-capital Douglas to the western town (well, city actually!) of Peel opened 3 years later. It, and all subsequent lines, were built to gauge of 3ft, rare in the UK but common in Ireland and the US. The second line, from Douglas to Port Erin, in the south of the island, opened the next year. Furthermore, a third line was built by the separate Manx Northern Railway from St. Johns to the northern town of Ramsey, which was absorbed by the IoMR in 1904. A further, much shorter line was built to Port Foxdale. At it's peak the railway operated 47 miles of track, somewhat of an achievement for an island that's only 33 miles long and 14 miles wide! Sadly and inevitably, traffic eventually declined during the 1960s as buses became quicker and more comfortable, and to make matters worse tourism to the island dropped severely in the wake of cheap foreign holidays. Operations ceased on the Peel and Ramsey lines in 1968. However, the Peel line could be re-opened in the future as the trackbed is protected by the Manx government until money is raised that would make re-opening viable.
Peel Station
Map (including closed lines and MER)
Anyway, time for some images from my visit. I spent three days travelling on the line (though I only managed to do the full length trip twice) and took many photos.
No.13 "Kissack" was out on all three visits. It is seen here about to pull out of Ballasalla. It is one of the 15 Beyer-Peacock 2-4-0Ts the line uses, all but two survive. (The unlucky victims being No.2 Derby and No.7 Tynwald)
Kissack again, seen on a somewhat misty morning at Douglas. This station retains a sense of grandeur but no longer has a canopy or goods yard, which were removed in the 1990s.
No.12 Hutchinson at Douglas. Weather is not the IoM's strong point unfortunately.
It brightened up however on the return from Castletown!
Which BTW is easily the line's prettiest and most atmospheric station.
Kissack pulling out of Castletown, heading for Douglas.
Hutchinson arriving at Castletown.
Also spotted was No. 10 "G. H. Wood", and the diesel locomotive "Ailsa". Pictures from Port Erin are on a different memory card, I shall post them later.
The IoMR is one the most unique and atmospheric lines I have ever visited. There is truly nothing else like it in the UK or indeed the whole of the British Isles. It would be joy to have in Trainz.
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