The Ultimate Driving Experience
Manx Style
by Ronnie Maclean

Some years ago I along with 5 other friends visited the Isle of Man to drive the Manx Electric Trams. This we did over a 3 year period from 1995/1997 taking the trams from Douglas to Ramsey and back a round trip of 35 miles. Regretfully this was discontinued and when I wrote to
the Dept of Tourism in the late summer of 2009 to enquire if they intended to re-introduce it I was delighted to hear that this would be the case.
George Broom, his wife Marjory and I flew over from Edinburgh at the end of April to take part. George and I are regular volunteer motormen at Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge.

On allotted day we turned up at 9am at the terminus in Douglas where we met our instructor Geoff North and his conductor Seon along with our other fellow motorman Graeme Easton who lives on the island. Graeme had brought his wife Heather with him so it was company for Marjory.

Refreshments

Our tram was No 33 an open fronted toastrack of 1906 vintage (double bogied). Geoff had picked this one as he felt the day would be sunny. Because of the increased traffic which crosses the many intersections of the track now to Laxey our shots would be from Laxey to Ramsey and back (around 20 miles).
We arrived at Laxey and were greeted David Kinrade,  Head of Operations for the Public Transport Division who invited us all into the cafe where we had tea with freshly baked scones and strawberries and cream. We were then presented with a menu to tick what we wished for lunch.

After this we adjourned to the port-a-cabin to given a short safety talk and a very detailed book on the workings of a Tram. It was explained that each trip up and down from Laxey to Ramsey would be split into 3 sections giving us one section each and we would have 3 runs during the day. The same applied on the return trip- a very satisfactory way of doing it. We then were issued with orange zip up safety jackets and proceeded to the power house and had the workings explained. The rectifier looked like something out of Dr. Who. This over we went over to Geoff explained the workings of the controller. motors, brake etc.

The Rectifier

After an this we decided who would be first to leave Laxey and with Geoff by my side on the open platform I took 33 out of Laxey using the horn at the 2 crossings. The first section is mainly uphill and you notch up in series quite quickly to 5 the following instruction take it up to parallel one notch at a time between an overhead pole. The trick is to ensure a smooth acceleration and likewise with the air brake giving it a quick nip (not whisky) a number of times to slow it down. Changeovers were always at the same spots and the views from the line were magnificent with the English coast clearly visible. Often you were driving along with fields on either side. At the few road crossings you slowed down blowing the very distinctive horn and if the crossing was clear or cars had stopped as required you powered back up again.

After our first round trip we went to the port-a-cabin for our lunch. Then afterwards time for the second journey with us all driving on different sections - we were more confident with the controls and especially the air brake. On our return to Laxey we had afternoon tea/coffee with home made cake. Back to the tram again for our third and final journey again taking in different sections of track

Geoff, Graeme, Ronnie and George

On our return we went into the cafe and were presented with our certificates by Geoff and photos taken- this of course was followed (you have guessed it ) with tea/coffee. We returned our safety jackets to the port-a cabin, collected our literature and boarded 33 for the journey back to Douglas at around 5-45 pm. Marjory and Heather sat on the front with Geoff for the return journey and as the sun had disappeared were somewhat windswept to put it mildly when we got back.

The 3 motormen George, Graeme and myself stepped from the tram at the terminus feeling really elated and grinning like Cheshire cats-- this lasted all evening. We thanked Geoff and Seon and left. Controlling a tram on the Manx Electric is different from any other tramway as at times you think you are going downhill when the opposite is the case and vice versa.

Having spent 4 days in Blackpool with the same friends in Feb.1996 driving everything from Balloons to Centenary cars to Fleetwood and back and at Crich with the Glasgow Coronation and Standard 812 , plus a day at Beamish I must say that I really enjoyed them but nothing can compare with the unique Manx Electric with its rural settings, views and long lengths of straight track with only the odd goat on the line to worry about. The staff were very friendly, no fuss and were genuinely pleased to see you- plus the great hospitality.

We spent another 2 days on the island buying a rover ticket which covers all the transport on the island and went on the Steam railway, Snaefell tram and buses.

If you have a special birthday-anniversary or just want to drive a tram then I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Marjory steals a tram!!!