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Judgement Day · 03-11-2011, 21:49

The Isle of Man remains largely a backwater for railway enthusiasts from both GB and Ireland, with both sets of enthusiasts more likely to visit each others' countries rather than a diminutive, forgotten rock in the Irish Sea. I'm doing my best to to put that right and drum up a bit more interest in visiting the Island, as well as giving myself an excuse to visit it more often too. The season is nearing its end now and the Horse Trams are already finished but the Manx Electric trams, steam trains and 2ft Groudle Glen Railway operate over the Christmas period. Realistically, it is time to plan a visit for next year.

The very popular 'Driver Experience' courses on the MER and the Steam Railway were available during 2011 and, no doubt, will run again next year. There's plenty to do for the rest of the family and the compact nature of the Island means that everything is within easy reach - a car is not needed - and the best way to get around is by tram/train/bus or on foot!

Have a look in at my embryonic blog here: http://manxland.wordpress.com/
- if you want more info feel free to PM me or ask questions here.

**lord lucan** · 03-11-2011, 23:38

Was there in 1997 and had a good run around he electric tram system. Great little system and the views from Ramsey heading back in to Douglas are superb(if the weather holds).

My dismissive attitude towards Narrow Gauge railways made me avoid the steam railway but i will probably return at some stage soon to rectify that. Fantastic transport set-up for a small little island.

corktina · 04-11-2011, 09:14

Ive done it a couple of times but its expensive to get there. Loved it though

Judgement Day · 06-11-2011, 11:36

More from the Isle of Man - this time the steam railway. This is not some Mickey Mouse recreation using replica stock, running over a few miles of track, this is the timeless charm of the narrow gauge as could have been found operating in Ireland up until the closure of the West Clare & County Donegal Railways. No artificial speed limits, but plenty of double heading, banking, vintage non-corridor stock and a good old thrash!

corktina · 06-11-2011, 12:57

Indeed this is how the CDR or the WCR could be had they survived just a few years more...

RIP Irish Narra Gauge.

eth0 · 15-11-2011, 15:19

MmmmmmM

Chips n Gravy

DWCommuter · 15-11-2011, 18:22

Here's a pressie for you all. Dribble away.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/i...n/index1.shtml

Lots to see over there, but the weather can really ruin it.

Judgement Day · 15-11-2011, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWCommuter

Here's a pressie for you all. Dribble away.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/i...n/index1.shtml

Lots to see over there, but the weather can really ruin it.

Thanks - I'll be stealing that for my blog.

Judgement Day · 20-12-2011, 19:12

Last horse tram of the season in a wet and miserable Douglas earlier this evening.

Photo: Janice Farnan

From the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/groups/127269520631637/

steamengine · 21-12-2011, 11:08

Well lit up for the festive season by Horse End Power (HEP)

corktina · 21-12-2011, 14:59

methane I assume?

Judgement Day · 21-12-2011, 15:41

Corktina have you been partaking of the Christmas spirit already?

corktina · 21-12-2011, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judgement Day

Corktina have you been partaking of the Christmas spirit already?

horse END power what else could the end of a horse provide but Methane?

03-11-2011, 21:49	#1
Judgement Day Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Diego Garcia Posts: 11,114 Adverts \| Friends	The Isle of Man for Happy (railway) Holidays The Isle of Man remains largely a backwater for railway enthusiasts from both GB and Ireland, with both sets of enthusiasts more likely to visit each others' countries rather than a diminutive, forgotten rock in the Irish Sea. I'm doing my best to to put that right and drum up a bit more interest in visiting the Island, as well as giving myself an excuse to visit it more often too. The season is nearing its end now and the Horse Trams are already finished but the Manx Electric trams, steam trains and 2ft Groudle Glen Railway operate over the Christmas period. Realistically, it is time to plan a visit for next year. The very popular 'Driver Experience' courses on the MER and the Steam Railway were available during 2011 and, no doubt, will run again next year. There's plenty to do for the rest of the family and the compact nature of the Island means that everything is within easy reach - a car is not needed - and the best way to get around is by tram/train/bus or on foot! Have a look in at my embryonic blog here: http://manxland.wordpress.com/ - if you want more info feel free to PM me or ask questions here.

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03-11-2011, 23:38	#2
lord lucan Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: EIDW Posts: 8,087 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Dublin County West, Rock & Metal, Smoking	Was there in 1997 and had a good run around he electric tram system. Great little system and the views from Ramsey heading back in to Douglas are superb(if the weather holds). My dismissive attitude towards Narrow Gauge railways made me avoid the steam railway but i will probably return at some stage soon to rectify that. Fantastic transport set-up for a small little island.

04-11-2011, 09:14	#3
corktina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: not sure Posts: 11,775 Adverts \| Friends	Ive done it a couple of times but its expensive to get there. Loved it though

06-11-2011, 11:36	#4
Judgement Day Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Diego Garcia Posts: 11,114 Adverts \| Friends	More from the Isle of Man - this time the steam railway. This is not some Mickey Mouse recreation using replica stock, running over a few miles of track, this is the timeless charm of the narrow gauge as could have been found operating in Ireland up until the closure of the West Clare & County Donegal Railways. No artificial speed limits, but plenty of double heading, banking, vintage non-corridor stock and a good old thrash!

06-11-2011, 12:57	#5
corktina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: not sure Posts: 11,775 Adverts \| Friends	Indeed this is how the CDR or the WCR could be had they survived just a few years more... RIP Irish Narra Gauge.

15-11-2011, 15:19	#6
eth0 Banned Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,602 Adverts \| Friends	MmmmmmM Chips n Gravy

15-11-2011, 18:22	#7
DWCommuter Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,979 Adverts \| Friends	Here's a pressie for you all. Dribble away. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/i...n/index1.shtml Lots to see over there, but the weather can really ruin it.

20-12-2011, 19:12	#9
Judgement Day Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Diego Garcia Posts: 11,114 Adverts \| Friends	Last horse tram of the season in a wet and miserable Douglas earlier this evening. Photo: Janice Farnan From the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/groups/127269520631637/

21-12-2011, 11:08	#10
steamengine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,064 Adverts \| Friends	Well lit up for the festive season by Horse End Power (HEP)

21-12-2011, 14:59	#11
corktina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: not sure Posts: 11,775 Adverts \| Friends	methane I assume?

21-12-2011, 15:41	#12
Judgement Day Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Diego Garcia Posts: 11,114 Adverts \| Friends	Corktina have you been partaking of the Christmas spirit already?