Next week sees the start of the Manx Electric Railways 125th Anniversary which promises to be a rollercoaster of events.
The week long festival kicks off with a 125th Birthday party being held at Laxey MER station on the 2nd September starting at 10:00am.
The party is free to attend with the live entertainers, band, singers and folk dancers alongside fairground rides, birthday cake and a fantastic photo opportunity with the number 1’s rolling stock all in one place: That’s the Horse Tram (with the Horse), Snaefell Mountain Railway and Manx Electric Railway Trams.
Look out for the special limited Golden Tickets located at Isle of Man Train and Tram stations, The Welcome Centre and local Post Offices for families to collect.
The Golden Ticket entitles one child to a return tram ride to Laxey Station (from anywhere on MER line) and also one free ride on the fairground rides.
On the 3rd September at 09:00 there will be the launch of restored ratchet car No.14. Following three years of blood, sweat and tears from a dedicated group of volunteers and Derby Castle workshop staff, Car 14 will celebrate its 120th anniversary with its formal return to service. The initial tram will be reserved for volunteers and staff involved in the restoration with further trips available for customers throughout the day.
Tuesday 4th September sees the mail tram re-enactment in partnership with Isle of Man Post Office. This involves the mail tram leaving Ramsey at 13.50pm and stopping at each of the 9 IOMPO letter box on the track side and clearing the box. The mail trams passengers will be presented with special MER postcards and will then post their items.The box will be cleared by a uniformed postman prior to moving on to the next box ending at Derby Castle where the mail will be collected by Isle of Man Post Office. There will be a special postmark designed specifically for this occasion. Andy Perry, Northern Delivery Office Manager for Isle of Man Post Office commented‘Mail on the Rails is such a significant part of the history of the Isle of Man Post Office, so to be able to re-create it in partnership with Isle of Man Transport as part of the MER’s 125th anniversary is fantastic. I hope that those who take part get to experience something really special’.
Friday 7th September at 10:00 The Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney unveil the new plaque to mark the special anniversary at Derby Castle followed by an afternoon at Laxey with a Cavalcade of Trams with Charles Guard presenting the history of each tram.
This is just a small sample of some of the events MER125 has to offer. For more details please go to https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-m... or call 662525.
Ends
Website: www.rail.im
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IoMTransport
Twitter: @iombusandrail