There's a chance to see a recently discovered promotional film during the Rush Hour on the Railways event being held this Easter.
The film, thought to date back to 1960, will be screened as part of a nostalgic evening at the Manx Museum on Good Friday evening (3 April 2015).
During the Unique Evening Event, the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters Association will first take you by steam along the western coast and through the northern plains of the Island, visiting places of interest en route including the stations at Kirk Michael, Ballaugh and Sulby. A series of full colour views dating to the 1950s and 1960s will bring alive this scenic steam line, which closed in 1969.
Members of the ManxElectricRailway.co.uk team will then follow the electric tramway northwards from Derby Castle, through glens and along cliff tops, using rare photographs dating from the early 1900s.
Archive images will be complemented by film of both the steam and electric railways, including the recently discovered Manx Electric Railway publicity film.
Tickets are available in advance from the Douglas Railway Station booking clerk on 697457 or on the door at the Manx Museum lecture theatre. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Admission is £7.50 or £3.75 for anyone with a valid Go Explore card.
Other highlights of the weekend include the Rush to Ramsey starting at 9.30am on Easter Sunday (5 April 2015). The world's oldest tramcar no.1 will depart Derby Castle on an express journey to Ramsey, accompanied by a selection of classic vehicles for a photocall at Ramsey Station, who can then continue onwards to the Jurby motor museums. Passengers can choose between riding on the tram or a Leyland PD2 bus for the standard tram fare. Go Explore tickets will be accepted. Several classic vehicle owners have expressed an interest in joining the event. If you have a classic vehicle and would like to join in, contact events co-ordinator Anji Street for details tel. 697475.
There is also a chance to catch the Port Erin flyer, a non-stop steam train to Port Erin departing Douglas at 7pm on Easter Saturday (4 April 2015). Recreating the Southern Belle from the 1930s, the loco will include a Bar Car and carry the Southern Belle headboard for photo opportunities. At the end of the journey passengers can enjoy an evening at the Railway Museum with members of the steam railway's Viking Group of volunteers on hand to provide historical information and pop-up cinema in the Royal Carriage. Standard Douglas to Port Erin rail fares apply and Go Explore cards will be accepted. Please note, this is new event, not to be confused with the Dining Cars of the World fine dining Southern Belle train which will operate on the Dining Car on Saturday 11 April.
Plus for the first time on the Isle of Man, there will be a limited number of postal covers bearing a Manx bus postage stamp. The covers will be carried on the Leyland PD3 bus tour of closed lines on Easter Sunday (5 April 2015) collecting, where appropriate, the original ticket marks of all the old stations on the route. When the vintage bus calls at Ballaugh, there will be an opportunity to meet artist Michael Starkey with his Manx Northern Railway Stations artwork and entertainment and refreshments provided by Ballaugh Heritage Trust.
The packed weekend also includes workshop and signal box tours, the Travelling Post Office on the steam railway, Easter Sunday lunch and afternoon tea on the Dining Car and an intensive steam service between Douglas and Port Erin.
See the Rush Hour on the Railways leaflet for full details, available at main stations and on our website: www.iombusandrail.info.
Contact the booking clerk 697457 for advance bookings.
We would like to hear your views. If you have any comments or further information on this story, please email the Manx Electric Railway Society at [email protected]