Wizard's Express 31 March and 1 April
March 31
This was the first day for the IMR's 3 train timetable (Timetable S). Each of the three trains consisted of 5 carriages, the Port Erin rake was hauled by 13 Kissack, with carriages F54, F46, F47, F48 and F49. The two Douglas rakes were quite mixed, the first train was hauled by 12 Hutchinson, with carriages F26, F11, F30, F32 and F45, the third rake hauled by Loch consisted of carriages F29, F9, F18, F10 and F39. For the 14:00 ex- Douglas 4 Loch and 12 Hutchinson were exchanged to . Most trains were quite well loaded, certainly as far as Ballasalla. To connect the trains with King Williams Collage, Bus Vannin laid on 3 Volvo B9TL Geminis (164, 165, 169) for the shuttle buses from Ballasalla.
April 1
Things ran in a very similar manner for the second day. The Port Erin set was identical, as were the Douglas sets however there was no swap between locos. Once again the shuttle bus was provided by the same 3 Geminis. One change was on the railway, the appearance of 10 G.H. Wood on steam trials in preparation for next weekend.
All photos © David Kelly 2012, unless stated otherwise