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| Isle of Man/Hose trams still going strong (135 years) https://rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31417 |
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| Author: | Sloan [ Thu May 19, 2011 2:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Isle of Man/Hose trams still going strong (135 years) |
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2011 ... ng-strong/ |
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| Author: | Bob Davis [ Thu May 19, 2011 3:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Isle of Man/Hose trams still going strong (135 years) |
Ah! The Isle of Man...heaven on earth for fans of preserved railways. Where else are electric railway cars (some built when Victoria was Queen), horse trams, steam trains and modern buses all part of the island's transport system? Not sure if this is still done, but in 1993 (centennial for the electric line) the Manx Electric Railway had a "motorman training" program, and I got to run one of the ancient cars along the north coast, at one point sounding the whistle to warn wandering sheep off the permanent way. It wasn't that much different than running a Huntington Standard at Orange Empire, but the scenery was much more spectacular. As an added attraction, during the weekend, a steam locomotive which had been transported by lorry (truck) from the south side was running on the electric line, with two of the MER trailer cars for its train. Another attraction is the Snaefell Mountain Railway, which climbs the highest peak on the island. It's also electric powered, using the same Hopkinson bow collectors (instead of trolley poles) that were fitted in 1895. At the top of the mountain there's a snack shop that (when we were there) did a roaring business in hot coffee, hot tea and hot cocoa. It was quite "brisk" and cloudy; locals will tell you that on a clear day, one can see six Kingdoms: Man, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Heaven. (for someone who's only been to the Isle once, I can sound like a member of the Tourist Commission) |
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| Author: | JimBoylan [ Fri May 20, 2011 9:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Isle of Man/Hose trams still going strong (135 years) |
The Isle also had San Francisco style cable street cars, and there's also the giant Laxey water wheel. |
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