© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2011
The weather’s quite poor now. I watched Sutherland being
loaded for journey to Laxey, then joined the steam train, for a
ride to Port Erin. Here I paid a visit to the museum, before
rejoining Caledonia and train for the return trip to Douglas.
A walk now to Derby Castle (I'm getting to know the way) - for a
ride with the driver on next service to Laxey. "It might be a bit
cold" the driver warned me, as he invited me to the bench
beside him, in the open front of the car. He didn't warn me about
the whistle, blown every few yards for road and footpath
crossings - I was nearly deaf by the time we reached Laxey. "I
don't really hear it," the driver said somewhat enigmatically.
"Sutherland" on its low loader had beaten me to Laxey, and I was
able to watch, video and photograph its positioning on the Manx
Electric metals, before adjourning to the Mines Tavern for a pint
of Bushy's (getting quite a taste for it by now) and a sandwich.
My next journey was up to Ramsey again. On this occasion I took
the opportunity to explore, visiting the attractive
harbour.
Finally, I headed back once again for Douglas, for a mid-
evening walk to the steam railway to see a special
working depart - hauled by "Caledonia" - for a visit to
the Langness area, near Castletown, and a barbecue.
The weather now threatened rain, making outdoor
activities rather unattractive, and the first drops began
to fall as we left the station, so that a trip on the horse
tram represented the only way of getting back in
reasonable comfort.
We travelled on the tram to the Terminus Tavern at
Derby Castle. We were in luck too - the excellent value
menu being available on Thursdays only. The storm
worsened as we dined - huge waves could be seen
crashing against the foreshore. With a bit of luck, it
should be well past by the time we made our return
ferry crossing the next day....
VIDEO
Thursday tramride
Douglas to Laxey, sitting beside the motorman.
Ends with no.1 "Sutherland" being winched off its
low loader, ready for tomorrows run on the MER
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2011
The weather’s quite poor now. I watched Sutherland being
loaded for journey to Laxey, then joined the steam train, for a
ride to Port Erin. Here I paid a visit to the museum, before
rejoining Caledonia and train for the return trip to Douglas.
A walk now to Derby Castle (I'm getting to know the way) - for a
ride with the driver on next service to Laxey. "It might be a bit
cold" the driver warned me, as he invited me to the bench
beside him, in the open front of the car. He didn't warn me about
the whistle, blown every few yards for road and footpath
crossings - I was nearly deaf by the time we reached Laxey. "I
don't really hear it," the driver said somewhat enigmatically.
"Sutherland" on its low loader had beaten me to Laxey, and I was
able to watch, video and photograph its positioning on the Manx
Electric metals, before adjourning to the Mines Tavern for a pint
of Bushy's (getting quite a taste for it by now) and a sandwich.
My next journey was up to Ramsey again. On this occasion I took
the opportunity to explore, visiting the attractive
harbour.
Finally, I headed back once again for Douglas, for a mid-
evening walk to the steam railway to see a special
working depart - hauled by "Caledonia" - for a visit to
the Langness area, near Castletown, and a barbecue.
The weather now threatened rain, making outdoor
activities rather unattractive, and the first drops began
to fall as we left the station, so that a trip on the horse
tram represented the only way of getting back in
reasonable comfort.
We travelled on the tram to the Terminus Tavern at
Derby Castle. We were in luck too - the excellent value
menu being available on Thursdays only. The storm
worsened as we dined - huge waves could be seen
crashing against the foreshore. With a bit of luck, it
should be well past by the time we made our return
ferry crossing the next day....
Thursday tramride
Douglas to Laxey, sitting beside the motorman.
Ends with no.1 "Sutherland" being winched off its
low loader, ready for tomorrows run on the MER
