Steam 125
Encyclopedia
Steam 125 was a series of events held in 1998 to mark the 125th anniversary
of the Isle of Man Railway
opening its first route from Douglas
to Peel (the line was closed in 1968 but the line to Port Erin opened the following year remains in operation) the railway ran a large number of special events. Most notable was the return to service of the original steam locomotive
No. 1 "Sutherland" which hauled special services all year, including excursions on the Manx Electric Railway
; other highlights included night trains, arranged photography sessions, slide and film shows, unusual tram
trips, and visiting locomotives on the Groudle Glen Railway
and many more. This was the last of the "big" railway events on the island, which had begun with the "Year of Railways
" in 1993 to mark the centenary of the Manx Electric Railway
. Although there are still annual events periods on the island these are now a very half-hearted affair and do not bring the enthusiasts
as they once did.
the biggest draw of the events periods centered around the return to service of the railway's first locomotive dating from 1873 and this was commemorated by a public re-commissioning followed by a special train to Port Erin. Included in the array of varied events elsewhere on the island's railway network were:-
This series of special events on the island's railways proved to be the last significant period of events held, with the galas gradually becoming less significant and held over a shorter period of time, as management policies changed into the new millennium.
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
of the Isle of Man Railway
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
opening its first route from Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
to Peel (the line was closed in 1968 but the line to Port Erin opened the following year remains in operation) the railway ran a large number of special events. Most notable was the return to service of the original steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
No. 1 "Sutherland" which hauled special services all year, including excursions on the Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...
; other highlights included night trains, arranged photography sessions, slide and film shows, unusual tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
trips, and visiting locomotives on the Groudle Glen Railway
Groudle Glen Railway
The Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
and many more. This was the last of the "big" railway events on the island, which had begun with the "Year of Railways
Year of Railways
The Year of Railways was a series of special events held on the Isle of Man during 1993 to commemorate the centenary of the opening of the first section of the Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Groudle in September 1893....
" in 1993 to mark the centenary of the Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...
. Although there are still annual events periods on the island these are now a very half-hearted affair and do not bring the enthusiasts
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
as they once did.
Events
Following the successful pattern established with 1993's Year Of RailwaysYear of Railways
The Year of Railways was a series of special events held on the Isle of Man during 1993 to commemorate the centenary of the opening of the first section of the Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Groudle in September 1893....
the biggest draw of the events periods centered around the return to service of the railway's first locomotive dating from 1873 and this was commemorated by a public re-commissioning followed by a special train to Port Erin. Included in the array of varied events elsewhere on the island's railway network were:-
- Use of a low loader to transfer No. 1 "Sutherland" to Laxey where it ran a service on the Manx Electric RailwayManx Electric RailwayThe Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...
between Laxey and Fairy Cottage
- Illuminted tram redecorated to proclaim "Steam 125"; it ran shuttles to Groudle where the Groudle Glen RailwayGroudle Glen RailwayThe Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
put on evening services
- Photo trams and trains ran which would stop at preselected scenic locations so that the passengers could alight, photograph and proceed to the next location
- Visiting locomotive "Jack" on the Groudle Glen RailwayGroudle Glen RailwayThe Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
as well as additional evening and weekend services on that line in events periods
- Chasing buses that shadowed special services to viewpoints and chased ahead to await the arrival of trains/trams, sometimes utilising vintage buses
- Special tram services were featured that included running commentaries about the views and attractions along the length of the routes with stopping places
- Parallel-running of a variety of electric tramcars which this usually took place prior to daily services to facilitate use of both running lines
- Floodlit evening photography and barbecueBarbecueBarbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
s were held with staff creating shunting movements for the benefit of spectators, often with little-used rolling stock
- Guided tours around sheds and depots which would normally be closed to members of the public, both in the day and in conjunction with evening sessions
- Guided walks of the closed railway lines to Peel, Ramsey and Foxdale with connecting vintage buses and coaches between venues, and refreshments
- Slide and film shows with a "bring your own along" policy ensuring a varied mix of entertainments, also including raffles and other attractions
- The return of steam to Peel in the form of No. 1 "Sutherland" running on a small section of track in what had previously been Peel Station
- Cavalcade line-ups of the horse tram fleet outside the workshops at Derby Castle, including some rarely-used tramcars in service along the promenade
This series of special events on the island's railways proved to be the last significant period of events held, with the galas gradually becoming less significant and held over a shorter period of time, as management policies changed into the new millennium.
External links
- Isle of Man RailwayIsle of Man RailwayThe Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
- Manx Electric RailwayManx Electric RailwayThe Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...
- Snaefell Mountain RailwaySnaefell Mountain RailwayThe Snaefell Mountain Railway is an electric mountain railway on the Isle of Man in Europe. It joins the town of Laxey with the summit of Snaefell, at above sea level the highest point on the island. It connects with the Manx Electric Railway in Laxey. The line is long, built to gauge and...
- Douglas Horse Tram
- Groudle Glen RailwayGroudle Glen RailwayThe Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
- Great Laxey Mine RailwayGreat Laxey Mine RailwayThe Great Laxey Mine Railway was originally constructed to serve the Isle of Man's Great Laxey Mine, a lead mine located in Laxey. The gauge railway runs from the old mine entrance to the washing floors along a right of way that passes through the Isle of Man's only railway tunnel under the gauge...