Port Erin Railway Museum

The Isle of Man Railway Museum in the village of Port Erin on the Isle of Man is a small museum of the history of the Isle of Man Railway from its founding in 1873 to the present, including the now-closed lines that served Peel, Ramsey (Manx Northern Railway) and Foxdale, and the remaining open line between Douglas and Port Erin. History & Location The museum opened in the summer of 1975 when the Isle of Man Road Services, a subsidiary of the railway company, relocated to their new garage, which still exists today at the foot of the main platform, which in turn saw the rationalisation of the railway station by the shortening of the former bay platform area to create parking spaces for buses. Today's main exhibition hall stands on the location of the former depot which was accessed via large doors on Station Road, these being used to deliver some of the larger exhibits upon the opening, there only ever being one rail-connected line from the nearby shed. At that time, the railway operated only between here and Castletown, in an experimental season with the goal of reducing running costs. The following year, services were extended to Ballasalla, then returned to Douglas in 1977, since when the full line has operated. The building originally consisting of a metal frame with asbestos cladding, was rebuilt in 1999. Prior to opening, the original locomotive shed was used to store disused locomotives. When rebuilt, the locomotive shed was returned to its original use and the goods shed converted into a shop area and porch added. The museum is next to Port Erin Station, the south-western terminus of the railway, on Station Road in the village. The main exhibition hall is housed in a converted bus garage that once belonged to Isle of Man Road Services, itself a division of the old railway company which was nationalised in 1976. Since the museum was extensively rebuilt in 1998–1999, part of the old goods shed has been incorporated into the complex, the other locomotive shed still being used as a workshop to maintain the locomotives and for overnight storage purposes. There remains today a small viewing window allowing visitors to the museum a glimpse into the locomotive shed from the main exhibition hall, this is mounted into the large doors which provide a rail connection for the relocation of wheeled exhibits. Exhibits Major (previous & present) The following represents and main exhibits of locomotives and rolling stock contained in the museum since its opening in 1975; during events periods and photographic charters certain items of stock are removed and alternatives take their places where available; since 2014 F.75 and G.19 have been plinthed on an isolated section of track, joined on another plinth in 2020 by No.1 Sutherland. Remaining items are rail connected via the station's locomotive shed. It is common for these items to be swapped as required, with F.36 being removed for restoration in 2023 and its place taken by a variety of wagons for example. Since it opened in 1975, the railway museum has housed a variety of major exhibits. Exhibits in the museum include two engines and two carriages as well as other equipment from the railway. The royal saloon, as used by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1963 and by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, are preserved in the museum. There is also a large display of photographs, posters and other memorabilia. In addition to the framed exhibits of old posters and the like, further displays are mounted on the walls of the station building itself in the waiting room and booking office. These were once part of the museum and donated by a preservationists group when the facility was first opened. Gallery Minor (previous & present) See also British narrow-gauge railways Isle of Man Railway locomotives Isle of Man Railway rolling stock Isle of Man Railway stations Isle of Man Railway Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association References James I. C. Boyd (1996). Isle of Man Railway. Volume 3: The Routes & Rolling Stock. ISBN 0-85361-479-2. A. M. Goodwyn (1995). Manx Transport Kaleidoscope, 2nd Edition. Robert Hendry (1993). Rails in the Isle of Man: A Colour Celebration. ISBN 1-85780-009-5. Norman Jones (1994). Scenes from the Past: Isle of Man Railway. ISBN 1-870119-22-3. External links Media related to Port Erin Railway Museum at Wikimedia Commons