Light Rail Transit Association

Manx heritage vehicles threatened : The new Isle of Man Minister of Tourism and Leisure has announced his intention to dispose of a number of stored Victorian and Edwardian MER tramcars (as well as some items from the Isle of Man [steam] Railway), which poses the greatest threat to the MER rolling-stock in the line’s 114 year history. This despite the fact that when the reconstruction of the MER depot at Laxey has been completed, and for which funding has been allocated, there will be sufficient space on the line to store the MER items under threat, at little or no cost.

Included on the list of tramcars and trailers under threat are a number which date from the opening of the Manx Electric Railway in 1893 and its extension to Laxey in 1894, as well as some of the ‘newest’ delivered in 1904. These are priceless and are vital as a backup fleet should some disaster befall the line.

The Manx Electric Railway Society has issued a strongly worded press release in which it calls for the minister’s immediate dismissal. The press release and further details can be found on the MERS website.

4 August 2007