Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2012
Wednesday 25 July
The first day of the Transport festival was the Welcome Day, featuring evening running on the Groudle Glen Railway and use of Van 4 on the MER. Van 4 was used to convey special stamp covers to Laxey. The van was hauled by cars 21 and 5 during the day. Also an additional surprise was the line up of several horse trams cars in front of the Strahallan depot.
Thursday 26 July
Thursday was focused around the IMR, featuring several unusual runnings. The 09:50 ex- Douglas train (hauled by 13 Kissack) experienced a delay with the line being blocked by fallen branches, shortly after Port Soderick, this had a knock on delay to the rest of the days proceedings. 8 Fenella hauled the first of the days specials, billed as an engineering train it featured an unusual rake, consisting of F.18, runner F.57, the well wagon and hopper F.70. This Journey ran up to Santon, passing trains, and returning to Douglas. The 10:55 ex- Douglas journey also carried wagon M.78 transporting the Peel P50, and F.49 with the travelling Post Office. The 11:50 from Douglas, and 14:00 were to be double headed, and was hauled by 8 Fenella and 10 G.H. Wood. Timetable U was in use meaning evening running, and so Rail Ale featured in the events.
Friday 27 July
Friday was more of a mixed day in terms of events. Leyland Atlantean 45 (48) and Leyland Titan PD2 2 were on display at Douglas station along with the JCK coloured ERF wagon. 8 Fenella hauled another special during the morning, a mixed rake consisting of H1, G12, M78, F18 and F49. After this Fenella performed shunting duties through out the day. Once again workshop tours were part of the events, manned by volunteers of the IOMSRSA. On the MER evening running was timetabled, and a private hire saw use of car 1 with trailer 59 and van 4.
Saturday 28 July
The main feature for Saturday turned to the MER, with in similar practice to Mad Sunday and Ramsey Sprint day, a 12 set service was timetabled, with a 10/15 minute service between Derbycastle and Laxey, and a 30 minute service between Derbycastle and Ramsey. However technical difficulties within the fleet meant a 12 car service could not be achieved. Cars 7, 16 and 22 were unavailable, meaning a nine car service was run. This still proved popular with 1, 32 and 33 all in service, and all making it to Ramsey, rather than being stuck to Laxey turn back journeys. The Laxey Sub Station was also open to the public allowing for possibly the last opportunity to view the mercury arc rectifiers whilst still in use. Car 7 was on display at Derbycastle, and the Horse Tramway also received another visit from an Olympic torch. Car sets for the MER started of as follows:
20/40, 33/57, 32/58, 9/48, 19/46 (Laxey Car), 1/59, 5/47, 6/41, 21/44 (Ramsey Car)
20/40, 33/57, 32/58, 9/48, 19/46 (Laxey Car), 1/59, 5/47, 6/41, 21/44 (Ramsey Car)
Sunday 29 July
Similarly to Saturday, Sunday was also planned to feature a 12 Car service, however on this occasion a 10 car service was achieved with 16 returning to service. 16 also served in the role of the 'Quarry Explorer' special, from Ramsey to Dhoon Quarry, which allowed access to the quarry itself, guided by Andrew Scarffe. An additional bus service between Ramsey, the Wildlife park and Jurby Transport museum. This service was originally to be vintage, however the PD2 was still in maintenance and so was unavailable, instead Bus Vannin DAF 80 was used. The MER diagrams were different on this day with a 15 minute frequency on the whole line timetabled, however with 2 trams missing, gaps became apparent. The sets were also different, 32/58 remained the same (having overnighted in Ramsey) as did 5/47 (having overnighted in Laxey). The only identical Douglas set was 33/57. Sets for the day were as follows off Derbycastle:
6/46, 20/44, 19/48, 21/41, 16/59, 1/40, 5/47, 33/57, 32/58 (Ramsey Set), and finally 9/43, which missed the morning service, and only worked a single return journey, starting of with the 15:25 ex- Derbycastle.
6/46, 20/44, 19/48, 21/41, 16/59, 1/40, 5/47, 33/57, 32/58 (Ramsey Set), and finally 9/43, which missed the morning service, and only worked a single return journey, starting of with the 15:25 ex- Derbycastle.
All photos © David Kelly 2013, unless stated otherwise