12th March 2019 · Railways of the Isle of Man

Presenter: Geoff Brockett

For our March meeting, our speaker took us “overseas” to the Isle of Man. Geoff Brockett of the South Essex branch has enjoyed visiting the island since the 1970’s right up to the present day and during that time has seen many changes to the island’s railway system. The only thing that has remained a constant is the unpredictable nature of the weather.

Geoff began by giving us a history of the different systems on the island and how over the years, declining trade had caused the railway network to shrink and had it not been for the Manx government stepping in the whole system could well have closed.

The first line we saw was the Isle of Man Railway which is steam worked on 3ft gauge from Douglas to Port Erin. The slides we saw showed the engines in various liveries over the years together with a large variety of rolling stock which over the course of time appeared in liveries that at one time were carried. Geoff showed how the infrastructure had also changed with stations losing canopies and sheds being demolished.

We then saw a few slides of the horse tramway which is also 3ft gauge and runs from Douglas pier to Derby Castle.

From Derby Castle we were treated to a journey along the Manx Electric Railway which opened in 1893. The line runs to Ramsey with numerous delightful stations along the route. We must have seen all the power cars and trailers in operation including the unique freight loco No.23. The original 1893 motor cars and trailers were still in operation and beautifully restored.

At Laxey, the Snaefell Mountain Railway runs to the highest point on the island on 3ft 6in. gauge to accommodate a centre braking rail. Some of the views from the line were outstanding although Geoff said that mist can often obscure almost everything. The passenger stock dates from 1895 although some rebuilding has occurred.

Other railways Geoff had visited were the charming little 2ft. gauge Groudle
Glen Railway with steam engines named Polar Bear, Sea lion and a new build called Brown Bear. The line closed in 1962 but has been reinstated since 1982 by volunteers.

The 19in. Laxey Mines railway with two little steam engines named Ant and Bee also featured.

Geoff’s presentation which covered over 40 years and showed us just about every type of engine, carriage and wagon working on the Isle of Man was not only thorough and informative but some of the pictures gave those who had not been there the incentive to visit some time.