MER Bus Strike Services 20-22/12/2012
After disagreements between the bus drivers union and Bus Vannin, the full time drivers went on strike between 20 and 22 December. As part of the contingency the islands railways were utilised to replace buses and perform in the role of regular public transport once again.
The MER played its part along with the steam railway. Passenger carrying trams in December have been absent from the MER for around 10 years and so the the appearance of such an intensive timetable was remarkable. On each day 6 motors were requires, with all 3 closed trailers also to be utilised. The timetable was half hourly with additional journies at school times, however the timetable was dropped to hourly for the Friday service. As expected cars 5,6,9, 19 and 20 were in service, however car 1 was also run and most unusual of all events was the use of Crossbench 32 on all 3 days.
Like with the IMR, the Saturday service was somewhat curtailed owing to weather related problems. Cars 5 and 32 were Laxey based, 5 starting first, working to Derbycastle and then returning from there at 07:55. It worked a Laxey only return as trams were not yet running to Ramsey because of overhead problems. Car 32 was the first to head for Ramsey, departing Laxey at 09:10. With flooding causing problems further south car 32 was terminated at Ramsey after this journey. Cars 1 and 6 also came up from Derbycastle, along with car 19 which started in Ramsey, however on its first south bound journey it had to return to Laxey because of the flooding near Groudle. Car 1 was not used in service after arrival in Laxey, and was returned to shed.
The MER played its part along with the steam railway. Passenger carrying trams in December have been absent from the MER for around 10 years and so the the appearance of such an intensive timetable was remarkable. On each day 6 motors were requires, with all 3 closed trailers also to be utilised. The timetable was half hourly with additional journies at school times, however the timetable was dropped to hourly for the Friday service. As expected cars 5,6,9, 19 and 20 were in service, however car 1 was also run and most unusual of all events was the use of Crossbench 32 on all 3 days.
Like with the IMR, the Saturday service was somewhat curtailed owing to weather related problems. Cars 5 and 32 were Laxey based, 5 starting first, working to Derbycastle and then returning from there at 07:55. It worked a Laxey only return as trams were not yet running to Ramsey because of overhead problems. Car 32 was the first to head for Ramsey, departing Laxey at 09:10. With flooding causing problems further south car 32 was terminated at Ramsey after this journey. Cars 1 and 6 also came up from Derbycastle, along with car 19 which started in Ramsey, however on its first south bound journey it had to return to Laxey because of the flooding near Groudle. Car 1 was not used in service after arrival in Laxey, and was returned to shed.
All photos © David Kelly 2013, unless stated otherwise.