The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association is pleased to unveil the first of several projects to mark the organisation's’ 50th anniversary. The group has funded and installed a replica running in board at the site of Union Mills Station on the Heritage Trail (the footpath which now occupies the former Douglas to Peel Railway). The sign was installed by volunteers from the Association on Sunday 10th January 2016.
After meeting with Braddan Commissioners in 2015 the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association were pleased to be able to assist with their on-going work to improve the area between Braddan Bridge and Union Mills. The running in board is in the style of two such boards that were found at the Station prior to closure in September 1968. It was decided to make the replica sign from aluminium to offer a longer life-span, rather than use timber which would require painting every couple of years.
The sign is located on the platform adjacent to the railway’s 1893-built Gibbons Crane which has been on display at Union Mills for many years. Last year the crane benefited from a repaint thanks to Braddan Commissioners and local contractors Buchanan & Pitts. Recent work by Braddan Commissioners and their contractors has included the installation of new gates and barriers, improvements to the drainage and resurfacing of the path. Encroaching vegetation has also been cut back making the Trail more accessible for cyclists and walkers. After a tender process the Commissioners awarded the contract for the work to Landscape Design & Management Limited. New picnic benches, were built by the Manx Workshop for the Disabled and have been installed at the former Union Mills Station.
The Association has also contributed by helping review and contribute to three new interpretation boards that Braddan Commissioners will be installing at Union Mills in the near future. They detail the sites railway history and the current-day flora and fauna that can be found there.
To mark the project as part of the 50th anniversary, below the Station name the sign carries the wording 'ISLE OF MAN STEAM RAILWAY SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION 50th ANNIVERSARY - 1966 to 2016'
Speaking about the project, Bill Cubbon , Chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association said “We are very pleased to have been able to contribute to the on-going work of Braddan Commissioners in improving this section of the Heritage Trail. 2016 is an important year for our organisation as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, there are several projects that we have planned and these are currently in the pipeline”.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association has an interest in both protecting and promoting the heritage of the former Isle of Man Railway lines (to Peel, Ramsey and Foxdale) as well as the remaining open section from Douglas to Port Erin.
The
new sign at the former Union Mills Station, as seen from the road overbridge
along with the Gibbons Crane and the new picnic benches from Braddan
Commissioners. The area now benefits from some surrounding trees having been
cut back. (Photo: Dave Booth)
The
recently installed, IOMSRSA funded, running in board at Union Mills alongside
the Gibbons Crane. (Photo: Dave Booth)
About the IOMSRSA
We are the leading independent group dedicated to the future preservation of the Isle of Man Railway, having been in existence since 1966 (the one year in which the railway was closed). Since then we have established ourselves as the leading charity in railway preservation on the Island. In addition to many projects on the railway itself, including volunteer labour until nationalisation in 1978, we are also the group behind the restoration of the Groudle Glen Railway, as well as major fundraising for both railways over a period now approaching fifty years. Details of the many projects undertaken on the Steam Railway can be found on our official website at www.iomsrsa.com/projects. In the last 20 years the value of our input to the Steam Railway has been in excess of £100,000, in both materials and volunteer labour.