Isle of Man Railway Museum

Last updated

Isle of Man Railway Museum
Raad-Yairn Vannin Thie Tashtee
Isle of Man Railway Museum
Established23 August 1975
LocationStation Road, Port Erin,
Rushen, Isle of Man, IM9 2RR
Coordinates 54°05′06″N4°45′29″W / 54.085°N 4.758°W / 54.085; -4.758
Type Railway Museum
AccreditationRecommended Attraction
www.visitisleofman.com
Key holdings No.5 Mona
No.1 Sutherland
F.36 Royal Saloon
F.75 Ducal Saloon
Closed Van G.19
Carriage M.N.Ry. No.6
CollectionsVarious Contributors
VisitorsAnnually c.25,000
(Based On 2015 Figures)
Owner Isle of Man Government
Department of Infrastructure
Public transit access Isle of Man Railway
Bus Vannin
Nearest car parkStreet
Website http://www.rail.im

The Isle of Man Railway Museum in the village of Port Erin in the Isle of Man is a small museum of the history of the Isle of Man Railway from its founding in 1873 to the present, including the now-closed lines that served Peel, Ramsey (Manx Northern Railway) and Foxdale, and the remaining open line between Douglas and Port Erin.

Contents

History

The main exhibition hall in 2006 prior to the relocation of the Ducal Saloon which now occupies the area on the right with van G.19 and prior to the removal of No.16 Mannin visible in the distance; Royal Saloon F.36 can also be seen here IOMR Port Erin Railway Museum, 2006.JPG
The main exhibition hall in 2006 prior to the relocation of the Ducal Saloon which now occupies the area on the right with van G.19 and prior to the removal of No.16 Mannin visible in the distance; Royal Saloon F.36 can also be seen here

The museum opened in 1975 when the Isle of Man Road Services, a subsidiary of the railway company, relocated to their new garage, which still exists today at the foot of the main platform. At that time, the railway operated only between Port Erin and Castletown, in an experimental season with the goal of reducing running costs. The following year, services were extended to Ballasalla, then returned to Douglas in 1977, since when the full line has operated. The building originally consisting of a metal frame with asbestos cladding, was extensively rebuilt in 1999. Prior to the opening, the original locomotive shed was used to store unserviceable locomotives. When rebuilt, the locomotive shed was returned to its original use and the goods shed converted into a shop area and porch added.

Location

Viewed from the opposite side of Station Road showing the 1999 gables replacing doors and carried out in keeping with the original railway buildings Port Erin station and railway museum - geograph.org.uk - 4299131.jpg
Viewed from the opposite side of Station Road showing the 1999 gables replacing doors and carried out in keeping with the original railway buildings

The museum is next to Port Erin railway station, the southern (or western) terminus of the railway, on Station Road in the village. The main exhibition hall is housed in a converted bus garage that once belonged to Isle of Man Road Services, itself a division of the old railway company which was nationalised in 1976. Since the museum was extensively rebuilt in 1998–1999, part of the old goods shed has been incorporated into the complex, the other locomotive shed still being used as a workshop to maintain the locomotives and for overnight storage purposes.

The square cab of No.16 Mannin viewed from the footplate of No.6 Peveril illustrating the contrasting design of the later locomotive; neither of these locomotives are presently exhibited in the museum IOMR peveril, mannin, Port Erin, 2006.JPG
The square cab of No.16 Mannin viewed from the footplate of No.6 Peveril illustrating the contrasting design of the later locomotive; neither of these locomotives are presently exhibited in the museum
The approach pedestrian pathway to the museum prior to the development of the area as the "station plaza" which commenced in 2017 and saw the creation of sloped access directly from the railway platform to the main doorway Isle of Man - panoramio (80).jpg
The approach pedestrian pathway to the museum prior to the development of the area as the "station plaza" which commenced in 2017 and saw the creation of sloped access directly from the railway platform to the main doorway

Exhibits

Major (previous & present)

The following represents and main exhibits of locomotives and rolling stock contained in the museum since its opening in 1975; during events periods and photographic charters certain items of stock are removed and alternatives take their places where available; since 2014 F.75 and G.19 have been plinthed on an isolated section of track, joined on another plinth in 2020 by No.1 Sutherland. Remaining items are rail connected via the station's locomotive shed. It is common for these items to be swapped as required, with F.36 being removed for restoration in 2023 and its place taken by a variety of wagons for example.

No.NameBuildersYearExhibited
No.1Sutherland Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 18731976–1997, 2020–
No.4Loch Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 18741997–2001, in traffic 2024
No.5Mona Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 18742023–present I.o.M.S.R.S.A.
No.6Peveril Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 18751997–2020, 2022–2023
No.9Douglas Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 1896 I.o.M.S.R.S.A., due 2025
No.15Caledonia Dübs & Co., Ltd., Glasgow 18851975–1993, in traffic 2024
No.16Mannin Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd. 19261975–1998, 1999–2020
F.36Royal Saloon Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon 19051975–1998, 1999–2023
F.75Ducal Saloon Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon 18731975–1998, 2000-
N.42Six-Wheeler Swansea Carriage & Wagon 18791975–1999, now off-island
N.45Six-Wheeler Swansea Carriage & Wagon 18792023–present, privately restored
M.78Drop-Side Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon 19252000–present, between uses in traffic
H.1Three-Plank Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon 20002000–present, between uses in traffic
G.1Closed Van Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon 18732023–present, I.o.M.S.R.S.A.
Gr.12Closed Van Swansea Carriage & Wagon 18791975–1998, 1999–2023

Since it originally opened in 1975, the railway museum has housed a variety of major exhibits. Exhibits in the museum include two engines and two carriages as well as other equipment from the railway. The royal saloon, as used by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1963 and by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, are preserved in the museum. There is also a large display of photographs, posters and other memorabilia. In addition to the framed exhibits of old posters and the like, further displays are mounted on the walls of the station building itself in the waiting room and booking office. These were once part of the museum and donated by a preservationists group when the facility was first opened.

Minor (previous & present)

  • Workshops' Wood-Turning Lathe
  • Original (1873) Carriage Door
  • Mock-Up Station Masters' Office
  • Permanent Way Diorama Display
  • Framed Original Ticket Displays
  • Photographs of All Locomotives
  • Old Planes & Lathes From Workshops
  • Recreation of Station Master's Office
  • Old Snow Plough from the Line
  • Visual Display Boards Charting Histories
  • Past & Present Headboards
  • Anniversary Commemoration Displays
  • Knockaloe Internment Camp Displays
  • Glen Wyllin Pleasure Ground Display

See also

Related Research Articles

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References