Hi all. Having glanced at the Douglas Horse Trams, we boarded our 1:40pm departure on the Manx Electric Railway. Described by 'Eddie the Late' as one of the wonders of the world, the MER is certainly very impressive. Electric it may be, but it is also unique and quite historic. A quick view of a chilly Douglas prom before we left...
The ornate ceiling inside Tram Car No22, delivered in 1899...
Rather than being trains, these are also trams, running on 3ft gauge tracks and powered by overhead wires. At 17 miles long, the MER is a considerable undertaking and takes in some wonderful scenery as well as having fascinating infrastructure. Leaving Derby Castle past the depot, the trams use their 550v DC to climb a considerable gradient with some interesting road-side running. The trams wind their way up hill on double track, passing over residential roads just by whistling and then going for it. Some crossings have lights, others just have signage: its like going back in time. These trams use trolley poles to collect the current, now provided by the Manx grid rather than the railways own power stations...
Sea views whilst departing Derby Castle on a sharp climb...
Arnold enjoys the ride aboard the 1899-built No22, with Eddie looking on...
Through the window, looking onward...
We enjoyed a 30-minute or so ride along the route, with the trams seeming completely integrated with the road transport. Whistling and squealing, they make their way up and down various gradients and over many bridges and road crossings. Its a fantastic piece of engineering. At the busy station of Laxey, we switched trams to join the Snaefell Mountain Railway (our fourth railway - see next post). No22, seen from the SMR, would continue onwards along the MER route to Ramsey...
We had a great time on the SMR which then duly returned us to Laxey. SMR tramcars No1 & No6 await their next turn...
The next tram from Laxey towards Derby Castle would be the 3:55pm, made up of tramcar No22 again. The tram is spotted here arriving with its toast-rack trailer...
Vintage tram No22 pulls into Laxey below. Unfortunately the bodywork is not original as the former body was completely destroyed by a fire in 1992. The coach has been lovingly rebuilt by the MER and now looks as good as new...
It was at this point that tour operator 'Eddie the Late' said we should try out the toast-rack experience, so we did. Then the ridiculous pictures started...
I don't really know what is happening here...
The toast-rack trailers are an experience all on their own. In order to increase capacity, the MER trams drag along trailers. The toast-rack trailer we travelled in, number 44 I think, dates from 1903. They offer unrivalled views of the Manx Electric Railway...
As well as the views, the toast-racks also allow you to experience more of what is going on. The wind in your hair, the sounds, the smells, the views: its great...
The MER, though I'm not an electric train or tram fan, is just brilliant. The entire engineering aspect of it is impressive to say the least and the trams are lovingly kept. The operation is slick and the trams generally provide a great service for getting around the island. Considering it is probably the islands 'most modern' railway and dates from the late 1800s, it just goes to show just how historical and untouched the Isle of Man is. Its fantastic and I'm so glad I've now experienced it. We rode the 3:55pm Laxey - Derby Castle service as far as Groudle Glen, where the conductor summoned the driver to stop the train so that we could alight. A great trip and a lovely railway...
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