DarloRich
Veteran Member
The Snaefell Mountain Railway is a 5 mile long electric railway which connects the village of Laxey with the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man's highest point at 2,036 feet. The line is built to 3 ft 6 in gauge and is fitted with an additional centre rail for braking on the steep gradients. It is electrified using overhead wires at 550 volts direct current, with bow collectors fitted to the trains. The railway is owned and operated by Isle of Man Heritage Railways, a department of the Isle of Man Government and is unique in two ways: It is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles and the only railway in the world to use the Fell mountain railway system.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The line was constructed in just 7 months during 1895 opening on August 16th. This time was even elongated because of bad weather and a strike! This seems to have been possible because the route for the line had been surveyed in 1887 with a view to building a steam railway up the mountain. Those surveys were undertaken by George Nobel Fell, the son of John Barraclough Fell who invented the Fell system, of which more later. These plans never came to fruition but they were revived by the Snaefell Mountain Railway Association who quickly appointed Fell to oversee construction. Construction was aided by the steam locomotive Caledonia, which was dispatched by sea from Ramsey to Laxey Harbour and then moved on baulks and rollers through the village to Laxey Station.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The railway was designed to be electrically powered from the outset but because of concerns about the ability of the electric cars to safely climb the 1 in 12 gradient by adhesion alone the developers opted to install the Fell system as a back-up.
The Fell mountain railway system is designed to help trains ascend and descend steep gradients safely. It consists of a raised centre rail between the two running rails to which wheels or brake shoes are horizontally pressed. It can be used to enhance breaking or propulsion. The Fell system The Snaefell Mountain Railway still uses the Fell system for emergency braking, but does not use it for traction. The Fell system was designed by British engineer John Barraclough Fell and was patented in 1863 but this only example still in use as the idea was superseded by rack and pinion technology or rendered redundant by improved tunnelling techniques.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
In 1895 6 tramcars were built by G.F Milnes of Birkhenhead for use on the line. These were visually similar to those built at the same time for the Manx Electric Railway. All were equipped with Hopkinson Bow Collectors ,Mather and Platt electrical equipment and braking equipment to use the Fell system. The 100hp trams were the most powerful in Britain at the time and quickly showed they could cope with the climb. All of the vehicles have subsequently been fitted with a rheostatic braking system. This meant that the Fell system was retained for emergency use only. The railcars were re-equipped in the late 1970s with new bogies to a design based on the original, using motors and traction equipment from withdrawn Aachen trams.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The trams themselves offer a picture of Victorian railway travel. They are narrow, wooden bodied railcars with clerestory roofs, sliding windows ( with bars to stop leaning out in the confided spaces) and off set front end access doors. Inside the trams offer little in the way of creature comfort’s providing bare wooden bench seating that is reversible to ensure you always get the best view of the stunning countryside/fog (depending on your visit) and a fairly snug sitting space.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
5 of these vehicles remain in service but a couple have led a charmed life. No.3 was destroyed in an accident in 2016 when it ran away from Summit station and derailed just north of Bungalow. Sadly the 121-year old tramcar was totally destroyed in the incident. The remains were salvaged and there is a hope this vehicle will be rebuilt. No.5 Car 5 was burned out in an accident in 1970 and its body is a replacement built in 1971 to a similar design but it is still going strong.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The railway operates from during the tourist season and does not run in winter because the overhead wires have to be removed from the higher parts of the line due a risk of damage form ice. It takes about 30 minutes for a one-way journey form bottom to top and most journeys start from the interchange station with the Manx Electric Railway in Laxey. The station here is fairly basic with no platforms but it does boast a refreshment hut with a recognisable tin roof. The connecting timetable seems designed ot work well together as passengers were able to get of the MER service from Douglas in time to board the SMR train to the summit.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The passengers on the day of my visit were a happy mixture of racing fans off to Bunglaow to watch the action, enthusiasts and tourists taking in the scenery. The conversation was an eclectic mix of debate about the merits of the latest Honda racer, comparisons with trams in San Francisco, sheep and the views form the railway
Almost immediate after leaving the station the climb up the mountain begins with the tram climbing slowly up the side of Laxey Glen. It is very pretty but it has a serious industrial past personified by the Great Laxey Wheel which can be seen as the line climbs out of the village. Lady Isabella, as the wheel is known, is the largest working waterwheel in the world with a wheel that has a 72-foot-6-inch diameter, is 6 feet wide, revolves at approximately three rpm and at its peak could shift 1000l of water out of the mines every minute from a depth of 1500ft. It was built in 1854 to pump water out of the Great Laxey Mines industrial complex. It is a very pretty bit of engineering but that is secondary to its main purpose which it performed fantastically. The mines the wheel drained allowed lead and zinc to be extracted and exported increasing the prosperity of the island. It was named "Lady Isabella" after the wife the island's governor at that time. A water wheel was chosen because the island had no source of coal to fuel a steam engine. It is massive and apparently the most photographed item on the island. The tram helpfully stopped to allow everyone to get a nice picture of the wheel
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The line continues to climb up the valley roughly following the course of the Laxey River. The views are stunning and the breath-taking. There are water falls spilling off the hillside, brooks cutting deep ravines into the fell, sheep patrolling and at just the right time a view right down the valley to the sea. However it isn’t long before the industrial past of the valley comes back into sight with first a ruined power station that once served the line and was said to be the most powerful on the island followed quickly by the entrance to the Laxey mine.
Snaefell Mountain Railway by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Laxey was mainly mined for its lead ore. However, in addition the mine also yielded zinc, silver ore, copper and iron in various quantities. It is unclear when the mine opened but it was certainly in use by 1782. The mines were a raging success through the 19th century but ran into difficulties early In the 20th century due to pumping difficulties and then a fall in the price of ore although the mine limped on to closure in 1934. At its peak the mine reached a depth in excess of 2,200ft and employed 100’s of men underground.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
At the time of my visit the Manx Grand Prix was taking place so railway operations were slightly perturbed. This is the amateur version of the famous Isle of Man TT and because the race course crosses the railway line at Bungalow the route is split in two with passengers alighting at a temporary station just before the level crossing. We then used a special path and bridge to cross the course before boarding another tram for the short trip to the summit. I wanted to watch some of the racing from the Bungalow as this is a famous part of the TT course and was surprised to find the track quiet. On enquiring I was told the race had been red flagged as a rider had hit an electric pole in Douglas and needed medical help. As I returned to the station news came through via the tannoy that the rider in question had been taken away by ambulance and the council were making safe the damaged electrics. I have watched lots of motor racing and news a competitor has been taken away by ambulance is usually met with dread. Not on the IOM. The crowd remained nonplussed and the common consensus was that a ride in the ambulance usually means that the rider is ok and might only have suffered a broken leg. If it is really bad they use a helicopter!
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
This delay meant I had missed the tram to the summit so spent a couple of minutes exploring the area around the station. The station opened in 1895 but the current structure dates from 2001. It is the only intermediate station on the line. It offers some waiting space and ticket selling space as well as much needed shelter from the weather. It also offers a decent viewing point of the racing and is home to a large marshals control point. There was also a busy refreshment van that I suspect is only there on race days. Nearby is a statute of Joey Dunlop ( the King of the Mountain) who won a record 26 TT races before his death in 2000 at a race in Estonia.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
During my walk back form the statue tram no.6 had descended from the summit and was ready for the short climb back up. Quite a few race fans had decided to have a trip to the summit (perhaps for a drink in the café there) so the tram was much busier than I expected. Car no.6 was built ( like the rest of the fleet ) by G.F Milnes of Birkhenhead in 1895 and has an attractive teak body with red and white livery panels with the Snaefell Mountian Railway name running down each side and a number on the nose. Apparently they were delivered without windows which must have been pleasant at times! Now they have sliding windows that can be opened or closed as required.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The summit station is visible from the Bunglaow but the route to the top curves up and round the mountain like a dragons tail. The scenery has by now has changed from lush green in the valley to moorland with lots more sheep in close attendance. The climb is steep at this point and much more reminiscent of a traditional mountain railway. The line performs a complete circuit of the mountain and offers some great views of the island with Douglas and Castletown to the south and Ramsey to the north as well as some great views down the various valleys.
Snaefell Mountain Railway by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
It is said that on a good day you can see 7 kingdoms from the summit of Snaefell . Those kingdoms are: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Mann and the kingdoms of Heaven and the sea. The guard was asked if this was true and he replied it was but on a bad day you would be lucky to see your hand in front of your face!
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
A café and bar was constructed at the summit when the line opened in 1895 and it was rebuilt in 1907 due to the popularity of the line. It is that building that serves passengers today even if it was rebuilt after being burnt out in 1982. It was reopened as a cafe two years later and then refurbished in 2011. As there is no water supply at the summit, a bowser is attached to the first train of the day to supply the cafe with water. That lack of a water supply and the remote location meant that when the building caught fire in 1982 it was left to burn out as the fire brigade could not tackle the blaze. There is a well marked path for the short walk to the summit of the mountain where there are various air traffic control and radio transmitters To service these transmitters in the winter the railway maintains a small Wickham diesel railcar to allow maintenance staff to reach the summit out of season.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The café was busy but I took the opportunity of a cup of tea and a cake outside on the terrace to look at the view and watch the trams come and go. After about 30 minutes it was time to board the tram and begin the descent down the mountain. By the time I got back to Bungalow the racing had restarted so I found a spot by the track to watch the riders speed past on the mountain course. When I had finished I made my way along the path and over the bridge back to the temporary station ( a garden shed) and found tram no.1 waiting.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
This is the only vehicle in the lines original livery of Prussian blue and white adorned with the original ‘Snaefell Mountain Tramway’ name. It had a three year long overhaul of both body and mechanicals which was completed early in 2013.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Because the racing hadn’t quite finished the tram was quiet so I had an ideal opportunity to bag a window seat in the direction of travel and enjoy the peaceful journey & fantastic view back down the valley to Laxey.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The line was constructed in just 7 months during 1895 opening on August 16th. This time was even elongated because of bad weather and a strike! This seems to have been possible because the route for the line had been surveyed in 1887 with a view to building a steam railway up the mountain. Those surveys were undertaken by George Nobel Fell, the son of John Barraclough Fell who invented the Fell system, of which more later. These plans never came to fruition but they were revived by the Snaefell Mountain Railway Association who quickly appointed Fell to oversee construction. Construction was aided by the steam locomotive Caledonia, which was dispatched by sea from Ramsey to Laxey Harbour and then moved on baulks and rollers through the village to Laxey Station.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The railway was designed to be electrically powered from the outset but because of concerns about the ability of the electric cars to safely climb the 1 in 12 gradient by adhesion alone the developers opted to install the Fell system as a back-up.
The Fell mountain railway system is designed to help trains ascend and descend steep gradients safely. It consists of a raised centre rail between the two running rails to which wheels or brake shoes are horizontally pressed. It can be used to enhance breaking or propulsion. The Fell system The Snaefell Mountain Railway still uses the Fell system for emergency braking, but does not use it for traction. The Fell system was designed by British engineer John Barraclough Fell and was patented in 1863 but this only example still in use as the idea was superseded by rack and pinion technology or rendered redundant by improved tunnelling techniques.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
In 1895 6 tramcars were built by G.F Milnes of Birkhenhead for use on the line. These were visually similar to those built at the same time for the Manx Electric Railway. All were equipped with Hopkinson Bow Collectors ,Mather and Platt electrical equipment and braking equipment to use the Fell system. The 100hp trams were the most powerful in Britain at the time and quickly showed they could cope with the climb. All of the vehicles have subsequently been fitted with a rheostatic braking system. This meant that the Fell system was retained for emergency use only. The railcars were re-equipped in the late 1970s with new bogies to a design based on the original, using motors and traction equipment from withdrawn Aachen trams.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The trams themselves offer a picture of Victorian railway travel. They are narrow, wooden bodied railcars with clerestory roofs, sliding windows ( with bars to stop leaning out in the confided spaces) and off set front end access doors. Inside the trams offer little in the way of creature comfort’s providing bare wooden bench seating that is reversible to ensure you always get the best view of the stunning countryside/fog (depending on your visit) and a fairly snug sitting space.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
5 of these vehicles remain in service but a couple have led a charmed life. No.3 was destroyed in an accident in 2016 when it ran away from Summit station and derailed just north of Bungalow. Sadly the 121-year old tramcar was totally destroyed in the incident. The remains were salvaged and there is a hope this vehicle will be rebuilt. No.5 Car 5 was burned out in an accident in 1970 and its body is a replacement built in 1971 to a similar design but it is still going strong.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The railway operates from during the tourist season and does not run in winter because the overhead wires have to be removed from the higher parts of the line due a risk of damage form ice. It takes about 30 minutes for a one-way journey form bottom to top and most journeys start from the interchange station with the Manx Electric Railway in Laxey. The station here is fairly basic with no platforms but it does boast a refreshment hut with a recognisable tin roof. The connecting timetable seems designed ot work well together as passengers were able to get of the MER service from Douglas in time to board the SMR train to the summit.
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The passengers on the day of my visit were a happy mixture of racing fans off to Bunglaow to watch the action, enthusiasts and tourists taking in the scenery. The conversation was an eclectic mix of debate about the merits of the latest Honda racer, comparisons with trams in San Francisco, sheep and the views form the railway
Almost immediate after leaving the station the climb up the mountain begins with the tram climbing slowly up the side of Laxey Glen. It is very pretty but it has a serious industrial past personified by the Great Laxey Wheel which can be seen as the line climbs out of the village. Lady Isabella, as the wheel is known, is the largest working waterwheel in the world with a wheel that has a 72-foot-6-inch diameter, is 6 feet wide, revolves at approximately three rpm and at its peak could shift 1000l of water out of the mines every minute from a depth of 1500ft. It was built in 1854 to pump water out of the Great Laxey Mines industrial complex. It is a very pretty bit of engineering but that is secondary to its main purpose which it performed fantastically. The mines the wheel drained allowed lead and zinc to be extracted and exported increasing the prosperity of the island. It was named "Lady Isabella" after the wife the island's governor at that time. A water wheel was chosen because the island had no source of coal to fuel a steam engine. It is massive and apparently the most photographed item on the island. The tram helpfully stopped to allow everyone to get a nice picture of the wheel
Laxey by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The line continues to climb up the valley roughly following the course of the Laxey River. The views are stunning and the breath-taking. There are water falls spilling off the hillside, brooks cutting deep ravines into the fell, sheep patrolling and at just the right time a view right down the valley to the sea. However it isn’t long before the industrial past of the valley comes back into sight with first a ruined power station that once served the line and was said to be the most powerful on the island followed quickly by the entrance to the Laxey mine.
Snaefell Mountain Railway by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Laxey was mainly mined for its lead ore. However, in addition the mine also yielded zinc, silver ore, copper and iron in various quantities. It is unclear when the mine opened but it was certainly in use by 1782. The mines were a raging success through the 19th century but ran into difficulties early In the 20th century due to pumping difficulties and then a fall in the price of ore although the mine limped on to closure in 1934. At its peak the mine reached a depth in excess of 2,200ft and employed 100’s of men underground.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
At the time of my visit the Manx Grand Prix was taking place so railway operations were slightly perturbed. This is the amateur version of the famous Isle of Man TT and because the race course crosses the railway line at Bungalow the route is split in two with passengers alighting at a temporary station just before the level crossing. We then used a special path and bridge to cross the course before boarding another tram for the short trip to the summit. I wanted to watch some of the racing from the Bungalow as this is a famous part of the TT course and was surprised to find the track quiet. On enquiring I was told the race had been red flagged as a rider had hit an electric pole in Douglas and needed medical help. As I returned to the station news came through via the tannoy that the rider in question had been taken away by ambulance and the council were making safe the damaged electrics. I have watched lots of motor racing and news a competitor has been taken away by ambulance is usually met with dread. Not on the IOM. The crowd remained nonplussed and the common consensus was that a ride in the ambulance usually means that the rider is ok and might only have suffered a broken leg. If it is really bad they use a helicopter!
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
This delay meant I had missed the tram to the summit so spent a couple of minutes exploring the area around the station. The station opened in 1895 but the current structure dates from 2001. It is the only intermediate station on the line. It offers some waiting space and ticket selling space as well as much needed shelter from the weather. It also offers a decent viewing point of the racing and is home to a large marshals control point. There was also a busy refreshment van that I suspect is only there on race days. Nearby is a statute of Joey Dunlop ( the King of the Mountain) who won a record 26 TT races before his death in 2000 at a race in Estonia.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
During my walk back form the statue tram no.6 had descended from the summit and was ready for the short climb back up. Quite a few race fans had decided to have a trip to the summit (perhaps for a drink in the café there) so the tram was much busier than I expected. Car no.6 was built ( like the rest of the fleet ) by G.F Milnes of Birkhenhead in 1895 and has an attractive teak body with red and white livery panels with the Snaefell Mountian Railway name running down each side and a number on the nose. Apparently they were delivered without windows which must have been pleasant at times! Now they have sliding windows that can be opened or closed as required.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The summit station is visible from the Bunglaow but the route to the top curves up and round the mountain like a dragons tail. The scenery has by now has changed from lush green in the valley to moorland with lots more sheep in close attendance. The climb is steep at this point and much more reminiscent of a traditional mountain railway. The line performs a complete circuit of the mountain and offers some great views of the island with Douglas and Castletown to the south and Ramsey to the north as well as some great views down the various valleys.
Snaefell Mountain Railway by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
It is said that on a good day you can see 7 kingdoms from the summit of Snaefell . Those kingdoms are: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Mann and the kingdoms of Heaven and the sea. The guard was asked if this was true and he replied it was but on a bad day you would be lucky to see your hand in front of your face!
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
A café and bar was constructed at the summit when the line opened in 1895 and it was rebuilt in 1907 due to the popularity of the line. It is that building that serves passengers today even if it was rebuilt after being burnt out in 1982. It was reopened as a cafe two years later and then refurbished in 2011. As there is no water supply at the summit, a bowser is attached to the first train of the day to supply the cafe with water. That lack of a water supply and the remote location meant that when the building caught fire in 1982 it was left to burn out as the fire brigade could not tackle the blaze. There is a well marked path for the short walk to the summit of the mountain where there are various air traffic control and radio transmitters To service these transmitters in the winter the railway maintains a small Wickham diesel railcar to allow maintenance staff to reach the summit out of season.
Snaefell Summit by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The café was busy but I took the opportunity of a cup of tea and a cake outside on the terrace to look at the view and watch the trams come and go. After about 30 minutes it was time to board the tram and begin the descent down the mountain. By the time I got back to Bungalow the racing had restarted so I found a spot by the track to watch the riders speed past on the mountain course. When I had finished I made my way along the path and over the bridge back to the temporary station ( a garden shed) and found tram no.1 waiting.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
This is the only vehicle in the lines original livery of Prussian blue and white adorned with the original ‘Snaefell Mountain Tramway’ name. It had a three year long overhaul of both body and mechanicals which was completed early in 2013.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Because the racing hadn’t quite finished the tram was quiet so I had an ideal opportunity to bag a window seat in the direction of travel and enjoy the peaceful journey & fantastic view back down the valley to Laxey.
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Bungalow by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
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