HALFWAY TO THE RAVEN

I left you at St Johns, once quite an important junction on the Manx railway network. One branch ran from here to Foxdale, rising up to go over the 'main line' This photo was taken in 1939.

Foxdale station remains, looking north, 1993 (Richard Huggins).

We now go back to the Peel to Douglas line, to the site of Crosby station, photographed by Richard Huggins in 1993.

At Crosby there was a good boozer, the Halfway House. Research of the internet seems to imply that it's been shut quite a long time. My photo was taken in 1990.

Also found at Crosby in 1990, this little minicoach of Tours (Isle of Man).

We now make for the island's west coast and reach the trackbed of the former St Johns to Ramsey line near St Germains. This is looking south east in 1993, while below is the former Manx Northern Railway station building. Both taken by Richard Huggins.

 

This notice tell you all you need to know.

Next stop, Kirk Michael, where the Groudle Glen Railway's 'Polar Bear' was being restored in 1975.

Kirk Michael station building was still intact in 1993 (Richard Huggins).

The was a MNR station at Ballaugh, but, more important is the Raven pub. It's a great place to watch the riders of the TT, as they fly over Ballaugh Bridge.

And so, onwards to Ramsey, a busy harbour town.

The pier at Ramsey once had its own railway.

The IOM Road Services depot in Ramsey was always a good place to visit, with some really interesting buses, as seen in 1975.

Frontline services were operated by more modern vehicles.

IOM National Transport later took over. This Leyand National was repainted into the old Dougas Corporation colours and was photographed in Ramsey in 1987.

Here's an Olympian outside Ramsey depot in 1990.

Ramsey is the northern terminus of the Manx Electric Railway.

We'll be following the MER in the next post, as well as climbing Snaefell. Follow the map.

TO PEEL AND A PINT

Back at Castletown station, two ex National Transport Atlanteans were found by Richard Huggiins in 1993.

 

We're going to follow the railway, as one of the 2-4-0T locos departs for Port Erin.

The next stop is Colby, as seen in 1993 (Richard Huggins).

Moving on, we soon come to Port St Mary station. The year is 1975.

There's a little harbour at Port St Mary.

Plenty of accommodation on the cliff tops.

The railway terminates at Port Erin. No 11 'Maitland' is seen outside the shed here in the early 1970s.

'CH Wood', No 10, runs round at Port Erin in 1995.

Port Erin is home to the railway's small museum. Locos and other artefacts are kept here.

Back in 1975, this old Leyland was being used as temporary staff accommodation.

Road Services No. 43 at Port Erin in 1975.

Two Leyland Nationals at Port Erin station in 1993 (Richard Huggins).

Port Erin depot, 1993 (Richard Huggins).

Now it's 1995 and IOMNT Dennis Dominator 49 is seen at Port Erin.

Here are several views of Port Erin's bay, beach and coastline.

Heading north along the island's west coast, we come to Glenmaye, where, in 1990, this National Transport Leyland National has just terminated.

The railway to Peel has closed. Parts of the station survived and are seen in 1975.

IOM Road Services and, later, National Transport, provide a frequent service to the good residents of Pee.

Peel is famous for its castle and cathedral.

Peel has a decent harbour and fishing vessels are often seen there.

 

We now follow the trackbed of the closed railway eastwards.

Soon we approach St Johns and the route of the former line to Ramsey joins us.

There are several remains of the railway infrastructure at St Johns, once a major junction.

There was also an excellent pub at St Johns, the Farmers Arms.

Sadly, I'm advised that the pub is now closed. Nevertheless, it's the end of this post. The next one will see us trekking around more of the island. You can follow the route here.