Manx Heritage Railway’s external review published

Network‘well run’ and no shock recommendations.

THE Independent Review of Isle of Man Heritage Railways commissioned by the Manx Government last year (see RM, August 2023) was published on January 17.

Prepared by consultants Systra, the comprehensive 96-page report found that the Manx heritage rail network (Isle of Man Steam Railway,

Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway) was well run, has received effective investment and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

The report concludes with 13 recommendations. These include the view that the railways should remain in public ownership, but that a board of directors is formed, providing the basis to operate as an arm’s length company. Describing the Department of Infrastructure as “essentially an asset management organisation”, the report points out that is “less well placed to manage and develop a visitor attraction”.

Although there was widespread concern that the report may recommend truncation of some of the lines, this has not proven to be the case. The review found there was no case for withdrawal of services on the steam line between Castletown and Port Erin and while conversion of the MER between Laxey and Ramsey to single track operation with passing loops to provide space for a parallel cycle track was examined, this is not considered to represent value for money.

The report is more ambiguous in relation to reinstatement of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway between its current (supposedly temporary) terminus and the Sea Terminal. Modelling work showed that the financial case for reinstatement would require a very large increase in passenger numbers but does confirm there is a strategic case for returning the tramway to its original length, suggesting that a change in emphasis around capital spending could produce benefits, with the Sea Terminal being utilised as part of the railway’s visitor facilities, possibly prior to investment in facilities at Derby Castle.

The report and its recommendations will now be considered by the Department of Infrastructure and other Isle of Man Government elements in order to establish the next steps to take.

CLIFF THOMAS Pictured a few years ago, Beyer Peacock 2-4-0T No. 8 Fenella (now out of ticket) pulls a train away from Port Erin station, a sight which hopefully will continue for many decades to come. The Systra consultants’ report looked at the Douglas to Port Erin steam line and concluded there was no case for withdrawing services between Castletown and Port Erin.