MEDIA RELEASE
Groudle Glen Railway reopening this weekend for 125th year.
The volunteers at Groudle Glen Railway are delighted to announce that the railway will reopen for its 125th anniversary year this coming Sunday and Monday; the May bank holiday weekend.
The railway was sadly unable to open for the Easter Bunny Trains for the second year running due to Covid restrictions and there were also major engineering works that had to be completed prior to re-opening, but these have now been completed.
“Our team of volunteers have pulled out all the stops working around the clock over the last couple of weeks to complete the major trackworks in our main station at Lhen Coan,” says Charity Chairman Trevor Nall, “these were essential works and part of our 125th Anniversary Legcay project, but we couldn’t open until all the works were completed… and now after some long days and late evenings down the glen, the railway is ready to run once again”
The railway and the cliff top tea rooms will be open this Sunday and Monday from 11am to 4:30pm offering families from across the island the chance for a day out on one of the Isle of Man’s cherished vintage railways and refreshments in one of the island’s beauty spots following weeks of recent lockdown. The line will then continue with its summer season operating every Sunday between 11am and 4:30pm plus Wednesday evenings from mid June and August from 7pm to 9On Sunday 23rd May the railway will officially celebrate its 125th Anniversary with a day of celebrations in the glen starting with a ceremony at 11am featuring the line’s original 1896 steam locomotive Sea Lion. Families acorss the island are invited to then take part in a Trainspotting Challenge in order to win an UHDTV generously donated by Waltons before enjoying music at the Cliff Top Tea Rooms from Truman Falls. Tickets are already available online for this special day online at www.ggr.org.uk .
“We are very proud of what has been achieved by our team of volunteers at the railway since restoration began in 1982, “ says Trevor, “however the work goes on and the 125 Legacy Project at Lhen Coan is only partially completed with a new platform & trackwork…a welcome centre and shop is in the planning and will be completed in time to welcome future visitors back to the railway by the end of the season.”
The railway is always looking for new volunteers to join the team to assist in running the line, the tea rooms and other various aspects including painting, catering, joinery, electrics, horticulture, marketing and engineering. If you feel you’d like to do something worthwhile with your Sundays, please get in touch via the website www.ggr.org.uk as you will be made most welcome.
The volunteers at Groudle Glen Railway wish to thank their generous supporters for their continued support of the railway, especially during these recent challenging times; including the Scheinberg family, The Manx Lottery Trust, The Alan Chinery Trust, The Elizabeth Clucas Trust and The Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust.
Click HERE to visit the railway's website.