Manx Electric Railway
Explore the island with the Manx Electric Railway.
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric tramway on the Isle of Man. First opened in 1893 and expanded until 1899, the tramway is 17 miles long and runs along the eastern coast (Visit Isle of Man, 2023).
Leaflet with map of routes c1969 (Manx Electric Railway, 2023)
It is the longest narrow gauge historic electric railway line in the British Isles, with genuine Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock (Visit Isle of Man, 2023). Two of the trams in service are the world’s oldest continuously operating tram cars (Visit Isle of Man, 2023).
Climate Change and Tragedies
The tramway has experienced multiple disasters. In April 1930, a large fire at Laxey Car Shed destroyed “four Cars, seven Trailers, three Tower Wagons and an Open Wagon” (Manx Electric Railway, Difficulties and closure? – 1960s-1978 2012). The fire is believed to have started from a lit cigarette (Manx Electric Railway, Difficulties and closure? – 1960s-1978 2012).
Fire Destroys Car 22 (Townsend, 2019)
Car 22 at Lhen Coan, smoke was seen emitting from it(Townsend, 2019)
A storm in September 1930 flooded Laxey (Manx Electric Railway, 2012). The weir built to safeguard the Laxey Power Station ended up diverting the flood’s path and the village suffered significant damage (Manx Electric Railway, 2012).
Though there are no images accessible of the damage done to the Laxey Power Station, there are archived images of the flood and its impact on the village.
The flood at Laxey, September 18th 1930 (iMuseum, 2019)
Manx Electric Railway
Stations & Stops
Derby Castle
The first stop on the journey, Derby Castle is home to the railway’s main depot and workshops. There is also a museum here, which tells the story of the tramway and its history
Groudle Glen
This station is located near the entrance to Groudle Glen, a beautiful wooded valley that is popular with tourists. The station features a small cafe and gift shop.
Baldrine
The Baldrine station is located in a rural area of the island and provides access to some of the island’s scenic walking trails.
South Cape
The South Cape stop is located in the heart of the island’s countryside and provides access to a number of scenic walking trails.
Laxey
Laxey is a picturesque village that is famous for its working waterwheel and provides easy access to other local attractions, including the Laxey Mines and the Isle of Man TT course.
Dhoon Glen
This station is located close to the entrance to Dhoon Glen, a beautiful scenic gorge that is home to a number of waterfalls and a range of walking trails.
It is a popular attraction, with a footbridge spanning the gorge with a breathtaking view of the waterfall and surrounding countryside.
Glen Mona
This station is located in the small village of Glen Mona, which is surrounded by beautiful Manx countryside.
The station is also near the site of the former Glen Mona railway station, which was part of the Isle of Man Railway’s Northern line – different from the Manx Electric Railway. Although the station is no longer in use, there are still some remnants of the old railway infrastructure in the area, which provide an interesting glimpse into the island’s transportation history.
Ballajora
This station is one of the quieter stops on the line and provides access to lovely walking trails in the nearby area.
The village of Ballajora is a picturesque and peaceful place, with traditional Manx cottages and local amenities, including a pub.
Lewaigue
The Lewaigue stop is located in a rural part of the island and provides access to some of the island’s scenic walking trails.
Lewaigue is located near the coast, with stunning views of the Irish Sea and the island’s rocky cliffs. The coastal walks lead to the nearby village of Maughold which is home to an ancient Celtic Christian church and burial grounds.
Ramsey
The final stop on the journey, Ramsey – known as Sunny Ramsey – is a charming coastal town that is home to a number of local attractions, including Mooragh Park, Ramsey beach, and the town’s working harbor.
Manx Electric Railway
Then & Now
Douglas – Derby Castle
Derby Castle, 1896
“The construction of the grand canopy at Derby Castle saw the scene change once again, alongside the building of a replacement ornamental gateway to the north side. Two 1894-built ‘Tunnel Cars’ stand with 1893/94 built Trailers at the stop in 1896.” (iMuseum, 2016)
Derby Castle, 1959
“The Nationalisation Green colour of the cars dates this view to 1959, with Crossbench Cars No.27 waiting to depart with Trailer No.43 for the north, and matching pair Car No.33 and Trailer No.61 waiting to shunt backward.” (Colour-Rail, 2016)
Derby Castle, 2016
“Car No.16 in 2016 at Derby Castle, waiting to depart with a special for Laxey as part of the April ‘Rush Hour’ Event.” (Colour-Rail, 2016)
Derby Castle, 2023
Taken by SD302
Derby Castle, 2023
Taken by SD302
Groudle Glen
Groudle, 1960
“Car No.27, sporting the M.E.R’s Nationalisation Green livery crosses back over with Trailer No.56 to work back south from Groudle on the 16th of July 1960, while passengers wait to board either this or a northbound service.” (Packer, 2016)
Groudle, Mid-1980s
“Car No.1 and a newly repainted Trailer No.42 pull into the station from Derby Castle during the mid-1980s, presumably with a special for Laxey.” (Pryke, 2017)
Groudle, 2023
Taken by SD302
Baldrine
Baldrine, 1963
“Car No.30 hauls Trailer No.36 past the stop at Baldrine with a special for Derby Castle on the 22nd of July 1963. The speed limit sign is for road vehicles!” (Packer, 2016)
Baldrine, 2023
Taken by SD302
South Cape
South Cape, 1960
“A nicely loaded Trailer No.54 and a 28-31 series ‘Ratchet’ Car have stopped at South Cape to pick up passengers on the 20th of July 1960 – no doubt working a special to Laxey.” (Packer, 2016)
South Cape, 1983
“Car No.2 and Trailer No.49 accelerate past South Cape as the motorman notches up on his controller on the 11th of August 1983. On this day the 1893-built pair worked a single return trip to Laxey, and unusually, a return trip to Ramsey!” (Clifton, 2016)
South Cape, 1983
“Car No.1 and Trailer No.60 pose for the photographers at South Cape whilst on private hire to the Isle of Man 50 Group on the 26th of July 2016.” (Haworth, 2016)
South Cape, 2023
Taken by SD302
South Cape, 2023
Taken by SD302
Laxey
Laxey, 1899
“Laxey Station in 1899, with a 14-18 series Crossbench towing a 24-27 series Crossbench, then a trailer.” (Website Collection, 2017)
Laxey, 1992
“Car No.2 pauses at a quiet Laxey Station on the 8th of August 1992.” (Clifton, 2017)
Laxey Viaduct, 2015
“An unusual 4 item consist heads over the Laxey Viaduct into the 1898 station area on the 4th of April 2015 – Car No.32 hauling Trailer No.43, Wagon No.8 and Van No.4.” (Fairlie, 2017)
Laxey, 2016
“Car No.33 and Trailer No.41 stand next to the station building at Laxey on the 27th of July 2016, viewed from the front platform of Car No.32.” (Fairlie, 2017)
Laxey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Laxey Viaduct, 2023
Taken by SD302
Laxey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Laxey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Minorca
Minorca, Late 1950s
“Car No.19 and 1930-built Trailer slow to a stand at Minorca to pick up passengers in the late 1950s. Note the boarded up windows on the shelter. ” (King Collection, 2016)
Minorca, 2011
“The colour-clash combination of Car No.6 and Trailer No.48 power upgrade through Minorca on the 17th of September 2011.” (Martin, 2016)
Minorca, 2023
Taken by SD302
Minorca, 2023
Taken by SD302
Dhoon Glen
Dhoon Glen, 1904
“A 1904 view showing a ‘Paddlebox’/Trailer and Winter Saloon/Trailer/Van consist both stopped to pick up passengers at Dhoon Glen. On the left is the Dhoon Glen Hotel and Refreshment Rooms: Constructed in 1899, they were in business for 33 years before destruction by fire on April 3rd 1932.” (Website Collection, 2017)
Dhoon Glen, 1984
“Trailer No.41 carrying the combined M.E.R/I.O.M.R crest of the ‘Isle of Man Railways’ corporate period tails a Ramsey service departing from Dhoon Glen in August 1984.” (Crewcastrian, 2016)
Dhoon Glen, 2023
Taken by SD302
Glen Mona
Glen Mona, 1940s
“The waiting shelter and postbox at Glen Mona in the 1940s. Note the lack of tree growth! ” (Travel Lens Photographic, 2017)
Glen Mona, 2017
“Car No.5 approaches Glen Mona single-motor with a specially timetable 10:50 Derby Castle to Ramsey on the 16th of April 2017, Easter Sunday, as part of the 2017 Rush Hour event.” (Crewcastrian, 2016)
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Ballajora
Ballajora, 1900s
“A 4-9 series Car calls at the Ballajora stop in the early 1900s. Note the intermediate ‘Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey’ title carried by the car, dating this photograph between 1899 and 1904. Unusually the car is working on the seaside line towards Ramsey! ” (Website Collection, 2016)
Ballajora, 1984
“The waiting shelter and stop at Ballajora looking towards Ramsey on the 16th of August 1984.” (Clifton, 2016)
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Lewaigue
Lewaigue, 1952
“Car No.21 and Trailer No.45 pass through the stop at Lewaigue with a Derby Castle bound service in 1951. Note the station nameboard to the right.” (Website Collection, 2016)
Lewaigue, 2023
Taken by SD302
Glen Mona, 2023
Taken by SD302
Ramsey
Ramsey, Early 1900s
“A scene shortly after the railways opening to Ramsey, with a ‘Tunnel’ Car and Trailer No.44 present. ” (Website Collection, 2016)
Ramsey, 1943
“Car No.21 with wartime embellishments unloads after arrival from Derby Castle during August 1943.” (Website Collection, 2016)
Ramsey, 1943
“Car No.19 and Trailer No.41 shunt in Ramsey Station, while Van No.16 stands next to the Goods Shed on the 2nd of August 1992.” (Website Collection, 2016)
Ramsey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Ramsey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Ramsey, 2023
Taken by SD302
Ramsey, 2023
Taken by SD302
References
This project uses APA7 as its referencing style.
Clifton, C. (2016). Ballajora, 1984. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ballajora/rg_bj_1984_bj/.
Clifton, C. (2016). Ramsey, 1992. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ramsey/rg_19_1992_rm/.
Clifton, C. (2016). South Cape, 1983. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/south-cape/rg_2_1983_sc/.
Clifton, C. (2017). Laxey, 1992. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/laxey1898/rg_2_1992_lx/.
Colour-Rail. (2016). Derby Castle, 1959. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/derby-castle/rg_33_1959_dc/.
Crewcastrian. (2016). Dhoon Glen, 1984. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/dhoon-glen/rg_41_1984_dg/.
Fairlie, A. (2016). Derby Castle, 2016. Manx Electric Railway.
Fairlie, A. (2017). Laxey Viaduct, 2015. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/laxey-viaduct/rg_32_2014_lv/.
Fairlie, A. (2017). Laxey, 2016. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/laxey1898/rg_33_2016_lx/.
Haworth, J. (2016). South Cape, 2016. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/south-cape/rg_1_2016_sc/.
Haworth, J. (2017). Glen Mona, 2017. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/glen-mona/rm_5_2017_gm/.
iMuseum. (2016). Derby Castle, 1893. https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/derby-castle/rg_3_1893_dc/. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/derby-castle/rg_3_1893_dc/.
iMuseum. (2016). Derby Castle, 1896. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/derby-castle/rg_dc_1896_dc/.
iMuseum. (2019). The flood at Laxey, September 18th 1930. iMuseum. Retrieved from https://imuseum.im/search/archive_record/view?id=mnh-museum-116693&type=archive&tab=all&from=&page=&term=1930+laxey+flood&size=20&sort=&filter=&view=&images=&ttmgp=0&rfname=&rlname=&machine=&race=&raceyear=&linked=0&pos=1.
King Collection, M. (2016). Minorca, Late 1950s. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/minorca/rg_19_1950s_mi/.
Manx Electric Railway. (2012, November 11). Difficulties and closure? – 1960s-1978. Manx Electric Railway Online. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/features/history/history-difficulties-and-closure-1960s-1978/
Martin, D. (2016). Minorca, 2011. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/minorca/rg_6_2011_mi/.
Packer, A. D. (2016). Groudle, 1960. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/groudle/rg_27_1960_gg/.
Packer, A. D. (2016). Baldrine, 1963. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved May 7, 2023, from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/baldrine/rg_36_1963_bd/.
Packer, A. D. (2016). South Cape, 1960. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/south-cape/rg_54_1960_sc/.Powell Hendry, R. (2011). Manx Electric Railway Saga. Alan Gordon Publications.
Pryke, R. (2017). Groudle, Mid-1980s. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/groudle/rg_1_1980s_gg/.
Townsend, A. (2019). Fire Destroys Car 22. Manx Electric Railway Society. Retrieved from https://mers.org.im/site/uploads/pages/93/image/93.jpg.d/70b302d94b912af1d515c1353e96f46c/350_240_891e639543b1d51a07d1443d84043fdd.jpg?m=1416168264.
Travel Lens Photographic. (2017). Glen Mona, 1940s. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/glen-mona/rg_ws_1940s_gm/.
Visit Isle of Man. 2023. Manx Electric Railway. Visit Isle of Man. Retrieved February 12, 2023 from https://www.visitisleofman.com/experience/manx-electric-railway-p1291381
Website Collection. (2016). 1900S. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ballajora/rg_t_1900s_bj/.
Website Collection. (2016). Groudle, 1893. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/groudle/rg_3_1893_gg/.
Website Collection. (2016). Ramsey, 1943. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ramsey/rg_21_1943_rm/.
Website Collection. (2016). Ramsey, 1979. Manx Electric Railway. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ramsey/rg_19_1_1979_rm/.
Website Collection. (2016). Ramsey, Early 1900s. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/ramsey/rg_tunnel_1900s_rm/.
Website Collection. (2016). Lewaigue, 1951. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/lewaigue/rg_21_1951_lw/.
Website Collection. (2017). Dhoon Glen, 1904. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/dhoon-glen/rg_dg_1900s_dg/.Website Collection. (2017). Laxey, 1899. Manx Electric Railway. Retrieved from https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/railway/laxey1898/rg_1418_1899_lx/.
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