VITALLY IMPORTANT TO the Island's tourist industry, especially the so-called 'shoulder' periods either side of what might still be regarded as the summer 'peak', are the dozens of visiting coaches that visit the Island. Attractions such as castles, museums, monuments and of course the vintage transport systems, are kept alive by those making the journey to the Island aboard these impressive pieces of machinery.
An example is this superb Neoplan skyline ABOVE: (OU15 ZWW) from Northumberland-based Tynedale Group Travel, which visited the Island for four days in early May this year. Whilst on the Island the group resided at the Empress Hotel in Douglas and travelled on the Steam Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and visited Peel's Transport Heritage Museum. The brand new 44-seater boasted amongst other things:
- Full rear kitchen and servery featuring hot air ovens,microwave ovens, ice machine, several fridges and hot drinks machine.
- Washroom/toilet facilities.
- individual headphones to all seats offering a choice of entertainment from CD, radio and DVD through 3 TV monitors.
It is seen parked on Central Promenade on May 4th this year.
Another visiting Neoplan (ABOVE), this time a Tourliner of City Circle (PJ12 ATF) operating a tour for Surrey-based Newmarket Holidays, seen parked at the Sea terminal April 11th 2015. And (BELOW) a Setra S416GT-HD of Skinners of Oxted & Palmers Travel, Surrey, which visited the Island 7 - 12 May 2015.
Meanwhile, home-grown coach operator Tours (Isle of Man) has taken delivery of a number of new coaches recently to take advantage of, amongst other developments, the cruise ship market. (BELOW) is WA09 LKX Chinese Xiamen-built "King Long" XMQ6127 C49Ft coach, new to Hazell (Carmel Coaches), Northlew, Devon in June 2009, and seen here coming off the boat Saturday April 4th to start a new life on the Isle of Man.
MERS 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]