Start of the MER 2012 season 17/3/2012
It was an eventful start for the MER this year. Saturday March 17th was the start of service with a two set service, 4 journies in either direction. Both services ran with winter trailers, an event which has not happened in a while, particularly in the early part of the season. Set 1, scheduled at 09:40 was ran with Winter Saloon 22, with newly returned to traffic trailer 57. 20+58 worked the second set. After 22+57 went north with the late running 12:40 ex- Douglas, some overheads came down leaaving the set stranded in Ramsey. 20 and 58 went as far as Laxey with the 14:40 ex- Douglas, 58 was removed, but 20 returned to Douglas solo to fill in the 14:40 ex- Ramsey, the ran light back to Laxey to fill the 16:10 ex- Ramsey slot.
Car 5 returns
During the afternoon car 5 emerged from Derbycastle for a run. The tram follewed the 14:40 from Douglas leaving at about 14:55. This was not the first run for 5, having been out in the last couple of weeks. Again the tram was not in service for the journey. It ran solo up to Laxey, however for the return trip 58 was picked up, the first time 5 has hauled a trailer post overhaul.
Other News
Over the winter plenty of progress appears to have been made within the fleet. Not only 5 having returned along with 57, but there are a large number of repaints. It would appear that 19 and 21 are under repaint, one of which is in base colours at Derbycastle bottom shed. Along with the saloon at least two trailers were in bottom shed, one in grey primer, the other was 41, fully repainted and looking good, but not yet ready for service.
Car 5 returns
During the afternoon car 5 emerged from Derbycastle for a run. The tram follewed the 14:40 from Douglas leaving at about 14:55. This was not the first run for 5, having been out in the last couple of weeks. Again the tram was not in service for the journey. It ran solo up to Laxey, however for the return trip 58 was picked up, the first time 5 has hauled a trailer post overhaul.
Other News
Over the winter plenty of progress appears to have been made within the fleet. Not only 5 having returned along with 57, but there are a large number of repaints. It would appear that 19 and 21 are under repaint, one of which is in base colours at Derbycastle bottom shed. Along with the saloon at least two trailers were in bottom shed, one in grey primer, the other was 41, fully repainted and looking good, but not yet ready for service.
All photos © David Kelly 2012, unless stated otherwise.