Having completed a travel diary for 3-10 May 2008 when the
horse trams were not running and the MER went no further than Laxey,
the Manx Electric Railway Society asked us to do another travel diary
in May 2009 for comparison purposes. Always delighted to
help…
We're two weeks later than usual this year as, although we knew
that the MER would be running, we were eager not to be caught out by
a tramless Douglas promenade. Last autumn I telephoned Douglas
Corporation to ask about the horse tram service, explaining that we
have to book our self-catering cottage earlyish to be sure of the
most suitable time (and price). An extremely helpful lady at Douglas
Corporation took trouble to assure me that, although the horse trams
might start running earlier, they would definitely not be starting
later than Monday 18 May 2009. We therefore organised our holiday for
that week.
Having been given a superb aerial view of the Calf of Man and
Chicken Rock lighthouse we land at Ronaldsway. Our flight is much
earlier than in the past, so we hustle with the luggage and scramble
down to Ronaldsway Halt (or 'Ronaldsway International Interchange' as
one guard calls it) to get the first Douglas-bound train at around
10.45. Still no sign announcing the halt - it was missing last year
too - and no shelter has yet been installed. It's raining slightly
but the train is almost due so we shouldn't get too wet.
Bunker first No. 13 KISSACK hauling a five-carriage train appears
round the curve from Castletown. Hand out to indicate that it should
stop; the driver whistles an acknowledgement. The guard bustles down
the platform to help with the suitcases and we squeeze into one of
the open carriages. We've never ridden in an open carriage before and
find the luggage something of an embarrassment - where to put it out
of everyone's way? The seats in the open carriages are smaller than
those in compartments so sitting with suitcases on our laps as we
expected to do is not really possible - they end up on everyone
else's lap as well. Long experience of commuting means that we stash
the bags in one of the offside doorways.
At Ballasalla we get our first surprise. While we're waiting in the
passing loop for the down train, the guard asks us to go and buy
tickets at the ticket hall. (He also promises not to leave without
us!) No problem, but we've always paid at Douglas before. This way is
better; it's less crowded than Douglas and gives us the opportunity
to admire No. 10 G.H. WOOD from the platform rather than through a
window.
At Douglas we have our tickets inspected and learn, to our delight,
that the horse trams began earlier than we expected (on 11 May
instead of 18 May) and are now running. We therefore abandon plans to
catch the bus and set off to haul the cases the half-mile to the
Victoria Pier horse tram terminus. Unfortunately it's started to rain
in earnest so we get a bit soggy. Never mind - we don't come to the
Isle of Man for the weather. (We cling to this sentiment rather a lot
over the next week!)
The timing is superb as Tram 35 pulled by motive power unit, aka
horse JOHN, arrives at Victoria Pier at the same time as we do. Just
as well as the rain is now horizontal off the sea and there is no
shelter at the Victoria Pier end of the horse tram route. We've
always thought it rather odd that customers queue for the tram on
what amounts to a traffic island in a busy road, but it's safe enough
as long as you stay on the pavement. Shame there's no shelter
though.
Clip clop along Douglas Promenade huddled as far as possible on the
land-side of the open-sided vehicle. The rain may have achieved
inevitability but the tram is still fairly full. This is Britain. In
summer. Of course it's raining. Those are the rules.
Unfortunately the horse tram misses the 11.40 service from the MER.
The MER crew wait as long as they dare, but JOHN's leisurely trot
doesn't quite cover the ground quickly enough. We see the MER car
leave from Derby Castle while still well shy of the stables. Never
mind, holidays are not the time for rushing around.
Arrive at Derby Castle at 11.50, slide the bags off the horse tram
and pat JOHN. Then one of us hurries into the MER shelter to get the
luggage out of the rain while the other goes to the MER hut to
collect a public transport timetable and buy the scratch card which
wins a week's free travel on the Isle of Man. They're still seven-day
travel passes, though; an eight-day pass would be so much more
sensible as it would cover both arrival and departure.
At Derby Castle we also get a shock. According to the blackboard, the
last car of the day leaves at 15.10. Ten past three? That's got to be
a mistake, surely. They must mean ten past five. We huddle in the
shelter and consult the timetable. No, the station master has not
made a mistake. Ten minutes past three is right. The final tram from
the island's capital leaves the wrong end of the two-mile promenade
in the early afternoon. That's going to be a problem.
Wait in the shelter until 12.40 to watch car 22 and trailer 41 arrive
and the crew turn it. Then put the cases on the back of the trailer
and pull down the shutters to keep them safe. The crew obviously
thinks we're crackers to be riding on the trailer in the pouring
rain, but they're very polite about it.
We're vindicated! By the time we reach Laxey it's stopped raining!
Dump the cases in the cottage (yuk, one of them has leaked), snatch a
quick bite to eat and then scuttle up to the Great Laxey Mine Railway
for a ride. It's only open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays so we
usually miss it because we're travelling. ANT and BEE are like
distilled versions of their larger brethren and the resulting essence
of engine turned into tiny locomotives. They're about the size of
large shopping trolleys and delightfully simple. £1.50 buys a
return trip along the single track stretching about a quarter of a
mile along the valley, but the real draw is the tunnel. It's about 80
yards long and is obviously far too small to allow passage for a
steam-hauled train complete with locomotive, driver/fireman, guard,
coach and passengers. They go through it though. To make sure that
the train can be evacuated safely if necessary the loco is only
allowed to take one carriage at a time; ours was hauled by BEE. I
now know exactly how toothpaste feels as it's squeezed through a
tube. And, rather more seriously, the appalling conditions in which
the miners must have worked.
Overnight we've studied the timetables. Hope no-one reading it
believes the times given within the bus timetable for the MER; it's
last year's timetable and both wrong and misleading for 2009. The
service to Ramsey is no longer closed, but the service from Douglas
is very much worse than listed here. Yes, the page does say that the
times are only valid for 2008, but as the entire timetable is dated
2008 and is still being used for 2009 buses and trains the MER times
could easily be confusing.
Forget the buses, they're scarce on a Sunday. We haven't been to
Ramsey on the tram for over two years. Let's go.
Leave Laxey by the 10.10 to Ramsey, car 21 and trailer 43. Notice
immediately how many of the halts have been given a make-over with
tubs of flowers and tarmaced waiting areas. Notice also how little
difference the expensive track replacement has really made to the
ride. (This is not just the opinion of an ignorant tourist; one of us
is a railway engineer and an expert responsible for track and
overhead in the UK. In general he wasn't overly impressed.)
Notice also the bright yellow warning signs at the various crossing
points telling drivers to be aware that the trams are now running
again. Such signs shouldn't really be necessary but despite them we
have a couple of near misses. At the road crossing near Bellevue two
road vehicles stop hastily, one car having to reverse off the line,
while at Ballafayle (Kerruish) a tractor crosses the track abruptly
and without apparently checking for tram traffic at all. Only prompt
action and sharp braking by the tram driver prevents a collision.
Arrive at Ramsey and return on the same set, car 21 + 43, to
Crowcreen. Wave through Ramsey-bound car 22 + 41 before walking down
to Port Cornaa for a picnic on the beach. Half-way down, rain begins
falling which is so cold it might even have a touch of sleet in it.
We do reach the beach, but picnicking in a chilly downpour doesn't
seem very attractive so we squelch back to Glen Mona and borrow the
tram shelter to have our sandwiches. Wave through Ramsey-bound car 21
+ 43, but it stops anyway (Sorry driver; we'll try to be clearer next
time). Caught Douglas-bound car 9 and trailer 46 and, again to the
conductor's surprise, choose to ride on the trailer. Apart from the
fact that the trailer is more fun, we are much too wet to sit on
upholstered seats; we'd soak everything.
Alight at Preston's Crossing. Weather has turned and is now glorious
so wait to wave through car 22 + 41. Then go home to wring ourselves
out.
Will it rain?! It does look likely so we decide to go to Peel.
From Laxey it's actually quicker to get the tram to Ramsey and the
bus round the top of the island, than to get the tram to Douglas,
catch the horse tram or walk along the promenade and then get the bus
east through St John's. In miles the Ramsey route is longer, but in
time it's quicker and requires less foot slogging.
Caught the first Ramsey-bound tram, car 21 + 43, at around 10.00 at
Fairy Cottage as there's a shelter we can hide in if it's raining.
Spent some time admiring the newly replaced cross-over at Fairy
Cottage. According to the expert among us it's a very good piece of
railway engineering.
A touch of déjà vu possesses us at Ballafayle
(Kerruish) as the same tractor again crosses the track abruptly and
without apparently checking for tram traffic. The tram is not quite
so close this time so the motorman slows down normally. Nevertheless
he should neither be expected to nor need to.
Alight at Queen's Valley. We want to have a quick look at the pier,
although it has to be from the shore as public access is not allowed.
Locals are campaigning to have the pier restored and re-opened,
complete with small railway. Let's hope they succeed. Walpole Drive
would be a closer stop, but we've never been to Queen's Valley
before. Hardly surprising really. The stop was only created in 2007,
just in time for the track which it serves to be closed for most of
2008.
Walk via the pier and Ramsey front to the bus station and catch the
No. 6 bus to Peel leaving at 11.40. It's always fun to spot the
remnants of the Manx Northern Railway from the top of the bus - there
are lots of them. Look out particularly for the piers of the viaduct
crossing Glen Mooar. The line, particularly the section along the
west coast, provides stunning views and is a very easy walk in good
weather. A shame it's not still open, but, as it never made a profit
and its route is now served by buses, even the most optimistic
enthusiast couldn't hope for that. Arrive in Peel at 12.20. The rain
we thought would happen, hasn't, so we spend a dry day in the
town.
At 14.50 we get the No. 6 bus back to Ramsey. We've been to the stop
before but still have a little trouble finding it as it's up the hill
away from the centre of the town, and doesn't look a likely place for
a bus terminus. The one-way system also tends to worry visitors as
the buses to and from Ramsey both begin by heading in the same
direction.
Arrive in Ramsey at 15.30 and just have time to get to the tram
station in time to catch the last tram, although at 15.40 it's hardly
past anyone's bedtime. It's a bit early to end our day so we take car
22 and trailer 41 to Halfway/Baldromma/the Liverpool Arms (depending
on which you prefer), arriving at 16.40. From there we take the No. 3
bus back to Laxey.
Weather still a bit iffy so decided to do our Douglas shopping
today. Also feeling rather short trammed so take the bus to Ramsey to
catch the first tram back. Catch the No. 3C bus at 8.41 outside the
Laxey police station in Glen Road - it saves the mile walk up the
hill.
Hope to arrive in Ramsey in time to see the MER staff get the tram
out of the shed but are too late. Car 5 and trailer 46 are standing
in the station. We're very early for the 10.10 service so go for a
short stroll. When we get back they'd given 5 + 46 a bath. We'd
missed the action - damn!
Leave Ramsey at 10.10 and arrive in Douglas at 11.30 to find a horse
tram waiting for us. Now this is more like interconnecting transport
systems! Car 33 and CHARLES take us as far as the Gaiety Theatre
where we head inland. Visit the Lexicon bookshop (excellent for all
things Manx), which is the principal reason for coming to Douglas,
and treat ourselves to a sit-down lunch rather than our usual
sandwiches. By then it's quarter to two and if we want to go back by
tram - which of course we do - we have to start thinking about
getting to Derby Castle.
Arrive at Victoria Pier at 13.55 just in time to see horse tram 33
leave. We might have been able to run for it, but decide not to
bother and wait for the next one. We wait. And wait. And wait some
more. At half-past two, having waited for over half an hour and with
no horse tram in sight, we decide not to risk missing the last MER
car so set out to walk. At Villa Marina we see tram 33 and RIGBY on
their way to Victoria Pier. Hang on, tram 33 was the one we saw leave
and might have caught. That means that there is only one horse tram
running. We saw three this morning (admittedly one may have been a
special as there was a school party on), so what's happened to the
others?
We reach Derby Castle, on foot, at around 15.00. A minute or so later
tram 33, now pulled by VICTOR, also reaches Derby Castle.
Incidentally, it's always delightful to see the insouciance of both
staff and animals as tired horses are exchanged for fresh ones in the
middle of a roadful of traffic. Each horse does two complete round
trips and the exchange is made outside the tram stables.
Back to our journey. There's obviously only one horse tram running,
so what's going on? To be fair, once we start looking, there are
small notices around Derby Castle and inside the horse trams
themselves - and presumably also at Victoria Pier although we didn't
see them - saying that the early afternoon service between 13.40 and
15.20 would be run at 40-minute intervals rather than the more usual
20 minute. That means one tram, not two.
Interconnecting transport systems, my foot. The last electric tram
from Douglas leaves at 15.10 remember, and it's being served by one
horse tram every forty minutes. We've just spent an hour and a
quarter trying to travel the two miles along Douglas promenade and in
the end had to walk. Not only that, but according to the signs, the
first horse tram leaves Derby Castle at 11.00, returning around
11.40. As the MER cars leave Derby Castle at 9.40, 10.40 and 11.40
the horse cars do not exactly assist passengers to get there. We're
not impressed.
Take car 6 and trailer 40 to Minorca arriving at 15.50. Had intended
to go home but it's much too early so we walk up Minorca Hill and
along the main road to come down the path which crosses the MER line
at Test House. I wonder why it's no longer a stop? It would be very
convenient for where we stay and would provide an extra option in the
long run between Dumbell's Row and Minorca. Wave through car 22 and
trailer 41 and go for a late afternoon walk.
Weather still showery and threatening more consistent rain so
ditch the plans for a long walk and decide instead on a series of
short ones. That way if it buckets down we shouldn't be too far from
shelter, probably one belonging to the MER. There are good walks on
either side of Laxey, but, this year, we couldn't do the ones on the
Douglas side as the timing of the final tram made it impossible for
us to get home. We knew that timetable would be a problem.
Caught Ramsey-bound car 21 and trailer 43 at Preston's Crossing at
10.00 ish and alighted at Ballure for a walk around the Gob ny Rona
headland. This has the advantage that, if the weather takes a turn
for the better, we can continue around Maughold Head. It doesn't and
we head for Lewaigue, catching Ramsey-bound car 5 and trailer 40 at
12.45. In Ramsey we shop for food - we're self catering remember -
and return on car 5 + 40 to Crowcreen, arriving just before two
o'clock.
Walk over the hill past the two burial grounds - there have obviously
been some high winds here as the Neolithic site is largely covered by
fallen trees - and arrive at Ballajora in drizzle. There's a good
shelter here though, which is one of the reasons we planned the walks
as we did. Of course, as we arrive at the shelter the rain stops.
Catch Douglas-bound car 21 and trailer 43 at around ten to three. Had
debated where to alight and decide on Ballabeg. The plan is to catch
the last Ramsey-bound tram at Ballabeg but the timetable means that
they cross near here. If we're late we'll miss the last tram but this
is an experienced crew which makes lateness unlikely. There's quite a
big gap between Ballabeg and Ballagawne, the next stop, and we
daren't go so far or it might mean a longer walk back to Laxey than
we want just now.
Alight at Ballabeg 15.30. We haven't passed the last car so we're OK.
A few minutes later catch car 5 and trailer 40 to Laxey Old Road.
Looks like we're getting some good weather so decide on a longer
walk. Catch Snaefell Mountain Railway car 4 to Bungalow arriving at
around 10.40. Lovely walk down Glen Mona despite the fact that one of
us gets stuck in a bog and the other has his boots disintegrate!
Could have caught the tram from Cornaa or Ballaglass and in either
direction as the cars cross about there. Decide to aim for
Ballaglass. Slightly misjudge the time and see the Douglas-bound tram
go through when still about a quarter of a mile from the stop. Argh!
Accelerate from stroll to trot and catch Ramsey-bound 5 + 41 by a
whisker.
Arrive at Ramsey at 15.30. Get into conversation with a couple who
had arrived on the Ramsey tram and wanted to spend an hour or so in
Ramsey before returning on the tram. Hearing that the last tram
leaves in ten minutes time they decide to go back by bus. And grumble
about it.
Leave Ramsey at 15.40 on car 5 + 41 and alight at Preston's
Crossing.
Snaefell Car 4 at Bungalow leaving for Summit - May 21, 2009
(Photo George Hobbs)
Raining this morning so consider our options. We haven't been to
Point of Ayre since they closed the landfill, but the buses don't go
near it except at school times and a whole day there in the rain
doesn't sound like fun. We've never been to Bride at all but the
timetable doesn't allow it. (Tram to Ramsey, arrive 10.55, catch 17A
bus to Bride at 12.15, arrive Bride 12.53, depart Bride on 18A bus at
13.29, arrive Ramsey 14.10, leave Ramsey on last tram 15.40. Only
half an hour in Bride.) Would have quite liked to visit Castle
Rushen, but can't ride on the steam railway as the timetable is
impossible if we want to use the MER as transport. Last tram from
Douglas is at ten past three, remember. With all the wonderful
heritage transport about we prefer not to ride on buses.
Decide to visit the Grove Museum; we haven't been there for a while.
Catch car 21 and trailer 43 at Preston's Crossing and arrive at
Ramsey at 11.00. Walk the mile to the museum; not (quite) raining!
The museum is interesting, the staff friendly and the
café/restaurant serves exceptionally good food.
Walk back to the tram station and catch car 21 + 43 at 14.40. Too
early to go home so alight at Cornaa and return to Queen's Drive on
car 19 + 41. Walk up Walpole Drive and round by the road to Queen's
Valley. The Walpole Drive and Queen's Valley tram stops are only four
poles apart and, as the walk round the road is about six times as
long, there is a great temptation for pedestrians heading for the new
houses to walk along the track - we have actually seen people use it
as a short cut. (We didn't - honest!) Would it be a good idea to
introduce a footpath at the side? Notice that the Queen's Valley road
crossing lacks the yellow hatchings of the other crossings. It could
do with them too as the rails are not easy to see from the road.
Catch car 19 and trailer 41 to Preston's Crossing.
Last day. Haul the cases the mile up Glen Road as neither the 3C
nor the 13 bus runs at the weekend. Heavy going.
At Laxey catch Ramsey-bound car 21 and trailer 43 and load the bags
onto the back of the trailer. The conductor is at first rather
confused that we want to go to Douglas via Ramsey but we explain that
our flight is in the evening and we have to vacate our cottage by ten
o'clock in the morning, so a ride on the vintage transport is one of
the few enjoyable things we can do while lugging luggage.
At Ramsey the conductor and station master kindly allow us to leave
our bags on the trailer while they run it round. We reboard and car
21 + 43 take us back to Douglas. Short wait for the horse tram and -
guess what - it's started raining again!
The horse tram is fairly full, but the conductor kindly allows us to
put our bags on the rear platform. They are obviously in his way, but
he appears willing to put up with them for one journey. JOHN pulling
tram 45 takes us the length of the promenade arriving at Victoria
Pier in horizontal hail, just for a change. While helping us off with
the bags the conductor remarks that global warming hasn't yet reached
the Isle of Man.
Tow bags the half-mile to the railway station stopping very briefly
to watch the road bridge over the harbour lift. Not seen this before
and would photograph it, but the hail now bouncing off hats and cases
wouldn't be good for the camera and is anyway beginning to be
painful. Scurry into the railway station café to thaw out.
Debate whether we've time to take the train to Port Erin and catch
the bus back to the airport. We probably have but caution prevails
and we ask the guard to set us down at Ronaldsway. Our cases go in
the guard's van and we catch the three-coach train hauled by No. 10 G
H WOOD, leaving Douglas at 14.20.
Just as well we are cautious about the timing as sheep on the line
cause a twenty-minute delay just outside Ballasalla. Most of the
small flock is guided away from the train by the fireman, but one is
slightly injured by a footboard (the cut is small and will apparently
be stitched) and is cared for by the guard until the farmer arrives.
IoM Railway staff obviously have to be multi-skilled!
Pass No. 13 KISSACK waiting patiently at the passing loop in
Ballasalla station. Passengers aboard didn't appear to be concerned
about the delay, so perhaps they'd been told the reason. Arrive at
Ronaldsway and, guess what, it ISN'T raining! The guard exhumes the
luggage from the guard's van, and we wave our thanks as the train
heads towards Castletown. Plod up to the airport, cases in tow.
10 G H Wood leaving Ronaldsway with 14:20 from Douglas - May 23,
2009 (Photo George Hobbs)
A grand holiday as always, and it's lovely to have the horse trams
running and the whole of the MER open as it should be, but the
timetabling appear to have been (dis)organised by someone who has
never even ridden on the vintage vehicles never mind used them as
transport.
It's also noticeable that MER driver training appears to be going on
later than in previous years. The drivers under instruction take
extreme care - rightly so - but their caution tends to cause delays
and it was not unusual for trams to arrive twenty minutes late. This
is not a criticism of individual drivers who even while learning
provided a safe and generally comfortable ride, but surely such
training should be carried out much earlier in the season.
Lengthy delays to the MER timetabled service - a few minutes is
neither here nor there on holiday - have serious knock-on effects.
Firstly there is often a ten-minute connexion between trams arriving
at Ramsey and buses leaving the town. A twenty-minute late tram means
missing the connecting bus and might make a difference between it
being worth visiting an attraction or not. Secondly the last tram
leaves Douglas so early that any delay in arriving in there leaves
visitors very little time once they've reached the centre. The first
MER tram arrives at half-past eleven, the last leaves at ten-past
three. A late arrival plus delays getting to and fro along the
promenade can easily leave visitors with less than two hours in
Douglas. (Weather? Who cares!)
