2011 IMR News
Blow Away the Cobwebs 30/12/2011
The final train of 2011 ran on Friday 30th. 12 Hutchinson hauled the final journey to Castletown and back with carriages F46, F47, F29, F30 and F32. The weather was less than perfect and made photography quite difficult!
Trains return with the Valentines special on February 14th, and service trains 2 weeks later.
Trains return with the Valentines special on February 14th, and service trains 2 weeks later.
Santa Trains 17/12/2011
December 17th was the final day of Christmas specials on the IMR, with two journeys all the way through to Port Erin. Locos Loch, G.H. Wood and Kissack were hauling the trains, with Kissack starting in Port Erin. 12 Hutchinson had also returned to steam and was acting as a banker for trains out of Douglas. Each of the three trains consisted of 5 carriages, leaving F.35 as the only available carriage out of use. The doubling up of the 10:10 ex- Port Erin with the 09:50 ex-Douglas at Castletown resulted in a 10 carriage train with Kissack hauling and Loch banking. A 10 carriage train probably has not been seen on the line for quite a few years.
Santa Trains and Tinseltown 3/12/2011
The first day of Santa Trains for December 2011 was the 3rd. Locos 4 Loch and 13 Kissack were in use. Loch hauled a mixed rake of carriages F.18, F.10, F.39 and F.32, with Kissack hauling the large Fs. In Castletown (aka Tinseltown) Bus Vannin Mercedes Citaros 206,209 and 212 were on hand to shuttle people between the station and town square.
End of the season 6/11/2011
As with most years, the IMR 2011 season ended quietly; 4 Loch working the Douglas set with carriages F46, F47 and F49; 13 Kissack working from Port Erin with carriages F26 F54 and F45. The final service in either direction was the 15:50 departures, arriving at their terminus just after sunset. Trains were well loaded throughout the day even at this time of year. Although this it for regular scheduled passenger trains, in just over 3 weeks the Santa specials start operation, including trains on the full length of the line on 17th December, along with the 'Blow Away the Cob Webs' special, so it isn't the end of activity of 2011. Even then it is one of the shortest winter seasons for the line in many years with trains returning to the line on Friday 24th February 2012.
'Ride the Rocket' Bonfire Night Special 5/11/2011
For the second year a special journey was ran from Douglas to Port Erin and back to visit the Fire works display in Port Erin Bay. Yet again the train was well attended, and the special looks to return next year, with the season appearing to be extended an extra day for the service, being on a Monday! This years service was hauled by 4 Loch with carriages F29/F30/F32/F46/F47/F49.
Hop tu Naa Specials 28-30/10/11
As the past few years, in conjunction with Manx National Heritage, the railways run several specials over the Halloween weekend. This year it consisted of two runs to Castle Rushen (28 and 29 October) and an extra journey on each of October 29 and 30 to Port Erin and back. People could alight at Port St Mary and travel by 'specially decorated' bus to Cregneash. These were ran by Bus Vannin f/n 79, covered in cob webs etc off course. 4 Loch spent the weekend wearing a special headboard and hauled the Friday Castletown journey. 10 G.H. Wood hauled the two day time extra journeys.
Shed Tours 8/10/2011 - 9/10/2011
As a part of the Manx Heritage Open Days the IMR sheds were open for guided tours over the weekend.
Rail Ale train 30/9/2011
Rolling Stock - Launch of F30 and F32
Two specials were ran on Friday 30th September, a lunchtime 'Rolling Lunch' service to Castletown and a Rail Ale Tour in the evening. This was to celebrate the launch of refurbished saloon carriages F.30 and F.32, and therefore the return of a 5 coach bar set. 10 GH Wood hauled the lunchtime service with 12 Hutchinson hauling the Rail Ale. The Rail Ale is photographed here at Port Erin.
Island at War Weekend 20/8/2011 and 21/8/2011
The Island at War events on the IMR have gone well. Displays of vintage cars, tractors, IOM Road Service Buses along the line. 12 Hutchinson ran with a saloon carriage running between Port Erin and Port St Mary. Vintage farm machinery was on display in Port St Mary. Vintage cars and Military vehicles along with Thornycroft and PD2 buses.
Another test run for Loch 27/7/2011
Loch back in steam 25/7/2011
Among the first test runs
IOM 50 Tour 25/7/2011
10 G.H. Wood plus carriages F29 and F49 operated a special tour on July 25th for the IOM 50 Groups annual tours, with various photostops along the line including at Port Soderick and twice at Colby. Caught here in Castletown.
Poppy Appeal Trains
On Sunday 15/5/2011 both trains (GH Wood and Kissack) operated with special headboards in association with the Poppy Appeal who were fundraising on the railway that day.
Port Erin Nightshoot 28/4/2011
As a part of a visiting enthusiast group a night photoshoot was put on at Port Erin on April 24th. Featuring 13 Kissack and 10 G.H. Wood.
All photos © David Kelly 2014, unless stated otherwise.