Its 'Back to the Future' thanks to the Manx Electric Railway Society and Isle of Man Railways - with the issue of new publicity material for the 2000 summer season.

In a venture to boost traffic on the Island's Electric Railway systems, the MER Society has jointly produced 'vintage' hanging timetable cards which have already been distributed around the Island for the new summer service which began last weekend.

The large full colour cards are close replicas of an original MER timetable card of 1957, and feature a historic artist's impression of the MER and Snaefell lines, but with this year's summer season times added beneath.

Timetable cards have already been distributed to all parts of the Island, and can be seen hanging in shops, pubs, cafés and other public places, promoting the new services. Distribution was carried out thanks to the efforts of the MER Society's Tony Wilson, who will also distribute cards to vintage railways in the UK.

Said MER Society Chairman Alex Townsend, who is attempting to fill the gap left by former chairman the late Mike Goodwyn who died in October: "We hope that the reissue of MER timetable cards will do their bit to boost passengers on the Electric Railway.

"The aim was to produce as close a replica to the original as possible, but with this year's times instead of those of the mid 1950s. As well as offering good publicity, after the end of the season the cards will become collectable as well as informative. We hope this will be the first in a series of such replica timetable cards, featuring vintage appeal for the vintage railway system. Hanging cards like these were produced by the railway until the late 1970s, and then discontinued. We are glad to be involved in their welcome return.

"New Transport Executive David Howard is showing the way forward in many areas, by extending services - particularly during the winter - also with the current massive track relaying programme and other welcome changes including reduced fares and inter availability of ticketing.

"The MER Society wants to show its support by helping to promote ridership, for pleasure &emdash; as well as local people wanting to get about between Douglas and Ramsey.

"We are also keen to foster increased interest in the vintage railways - particularly amongst the young, and to this end we will shortly be producing a booklet "MER Companion" for MER passengers which will help to explain many of the things to see and do along the line, as well as highlighting what makes the MER special and unique."

The hanging cards and booklet are just two of several joint projects between the MERS and Isle of Man Railways.

The MER summer timetable runs from Saturday April 1st to 29th October 2000, with cars from 0945 to 2230 at the peak of the season. Additional services include the 'Illuminated Groudle Shuttle' in connection with the Groudle Glen Railway.

Anyone wishing to obtain free copies of the hanging timetable - for the purpose of promoting the MER - can do so by contacting the MER Society at:

[email protected]

Daily 1st April - 29th October 2000

					B				B		B			A	C	C	C
DOUGLAS, Derby Castle Groudle Baldrine South Cape Laxey Dhoon Ballaglass Ballajora RAMSEY, Tram Station				0945 0957 1003 1010 1015 1030 1040 1048 1100	1015 1027 1033 1040 1045 1100 1110 1118 1130	1045 1057 1103 1110 1115 1130 1140 1148 1200	1145 1157 1203 1210 1215 1230 1240 1248 1300	1245 1257 1303 1310 1315 1330 1340 1348 1400	1345 1357 1403 1410 1415 1430 1440 1448 1500	1415 1427 1433 1440 1445 1500 1510 1518 1530	1445 1457 1503 1510 1515 1530 1540 1548 1600	1515 1527 1533 1540 1545 1600 1610 1618 1630	1615 1627 1633 1640 1645 1700 1710 1718 1730	1715 1727 1733 1740 1745 1800 1810 1818 1830	1815 1827 1833 1840 1845	1950 2002 2008 2015 2020	2115 2127 2133 2140 2145

full details and official timetable leaflets from:
Isle of Man Railways, Strathallan Crescent, Douglas, IM2 4NR Tel: (01624) 663366