{"id":2409,"date":"2023-05-07T21:34:24","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T21:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.openvirtualworlds.org\/worldheritage2023\/?p=2409"},"modified":"2023-05-07T21:39:55","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T21:39:55","slug":"2409","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.openvirtualworlds.org\/worldheritage2023\/2023\/05\/07\/2409\/","title":{"rendered":"Manx Electric Railway – SD302"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Manx Electric Railway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Explore the island with the Manx Electric Railway.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leaflet with map of routes c1969 (Manx Electric Railway, 2023)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Climate Change and Tragedies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The tramway has experienced multiple disasters. In April 1930, a large fire at Laxey Car Shed destroyed \u201cfour Cars, seven Trailers, three Tower Wagons and an Open Wagon\u201d (Manx Electric Railway, Difficulties and closure? \u2013 1960s-1978<\/em>  2012). The fire is believed to have started from a lit cigarette (Manx Electric Railway, Difficulties and closure? \u2013 1960s-1978<\/em>  2012). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fire Destroys Car 22 (Townsend, 2019)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Car 22 at Lhen Coan, smoke was seen emitting from it(Townsend, 2019)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The flood at Laxey, September 18th 1930 (iMuseum, 2019)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Manx Electric Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stations & Stops<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Derby Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Groudle Glen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Baldrine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Baldrine station is located in a rural area of the island and provides access to some of the island’s scenic walking trails.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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South Cape<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The South Cape stop is located in the heart of the island’s countryside and provides access to a number of scenic walking trails.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Laxey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Dhoon Glen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a popular attraction, with a footbridge spanning the gorge with a breathtaking view of the waterfall and surrounding countryside.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Glen Mona<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This station is located in the small village of Glen Mona, which is surrounded by beautiful Manx countryside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Ballajora<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This station is one of the quieter stops on the line and provides access to lovely walking trails in the nearby area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The village of Ballajora is a picturesque and peaceful place, with traditional Manx cottages and local amenities, including a pub.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lewaigue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lewaigue stop is located in a rural part of the island and provides access to some of the island’s scenic walking trails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Ramsey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Manx Electric Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then & Now<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Douglas – Derby Castle<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Derby Castle, 1896<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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 \u2018Tunnel Cars\u2019 stand with 1893\/94 built Trailers at the stop in 1896.” (iMuseum, 2016)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Derby Castle, 1959<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Derby Castle, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Car No.16 in 2016 at Derby Castle, waiting to depart with a special for Laxey as part of the April \u2018Rush Hour\u2019 Event.” (Colour-Rail, 2016)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Derby Castle, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Derby Castle, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Groudle Glen<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Groudle, 1960<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Car No.27, sporting the M.E.R\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Groudle, Mid-1980s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Groudle, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Baldrine<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Baldrine, 1963<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Baldrine, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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South Cape<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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South Cape, 1960<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A nicely loaded Trailer No.54 and a 28-31 series \u2018Ratchet\u2019 Car have stopped at South Cape to pick up passengers on the 20th of July 1960 \u2013 no doubt working a special to Laxey.” (Packer, 2016)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South Cape, 1983<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South Cape, 1983<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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South Cape, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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South Cape, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken by SD302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n