Great Laxey Mine Railway
Laxey: the GLMR
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2019
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
27 July 2019
It’s our last morning on the Isle of
Man, and the only day on which this
amazing little railway will be
operating. So it’s last and least - at
19” gauge, the narrowest of the
railways we’ve enjoyed this week,
and the rolling stock is of particularly
small dimensions.
It’s a replica - the original railway ceased operation with the
mines in 1929, and everything had gone by 1935. The two
steam locomotives, Ant and Bee, recreate their original
namesakes, right down to the worksplates - they were
products of the remarkable Poole Foundry of Stephen Lewin.
Their overall dimensions and shape were dictated by the mine
tunnels they had to enter - hence the curious container in
front of the smokebox - it’s the water tank.
We took a ride, of course, through the tunnel under the main
road (and the MER) and up the short line which follows the
surface route of the mine tramway. Passengers enter the
coach from its end, so that, if a train was to get stuck in the
tunnel, they would be able to get out!
After the best part of a week
exploring the more substantial
railway attractions of the island, this
visit was just the thing for a
morning’s entertainment. All that
remains for us is the tram-ride back
to Douglas, and one last walk along
the prom., via our hotel (to collect
luggage), back to the ferry terminal.
What a great week we’ve had!
Link: Great Laxey Mine Railway
