Saloon cars 1-3
Saloons 1-3 1893
Cars 1 and 2 active.
Car 3 lost in Laxey shed fire 1930
Cars 1 and 2 are oldest electric cars in the world!
Cars 1 and 2 active.
Car 3 lost in Laxey shed fire 1930
Cars 1 and 2 are oldest electric cars in the world!
Tunnel cars 4-9
This was the second batch of cars delivered to the railway for its opening as far as Laxey Station in 1894. Referred to as "tunnel cars" because their seating was originally parallel to the sides with just one large passenger saloon as opposed to the more traditional reversible seating common in tramcar layout. They are still in regular use today except for Nos. 4 and 8 which were destroyed by the Laxey Car Shed fire in 1930.
Ratchet cars 14,15,17,18
The fourth batch of power cars delivered to the railway in 1898 were also the first open toastracks delivered. Five of these crossbench 56-seat cars were supplied by G.F. Milnes & Co., in 1898 and all of these survive today, but all of these are stored today. In march 2015 rachet car 14 was moved to derby castle to allow restoration to take place.
the photo shows rachet car 14 halfway through its restoration in march 2016.
the photo shows rachet car 14 halfway through its restoration in march 2016.
Paddle box 16
Car No.16 was the third of five ‘original’ toastracks built by G.F.Milnes in 1898 and was delivered.
Ironically, No.16 benefitted from this swap, as in 1903 it gained a set of ‘Brush D’ bogies and air brakes at the same time Car Nos.24-27 were similarly treated. To allow for larger bogies to fit, No.16s footboards were raised above the bogies, giving the Car the now-familiar ‘Paddlebox’ appearance and nickname.
Ironically, No.16 benefitted from this swap, as in 1903 it gained a set of ‘Brush D’ bogies and air brakes at the same time Car Nos.24-27 were similarly treated. To allow for larger bogies to fit, No.16s footboards were raised above the bogies, giving the Car the now-familiar ‘Paddlebox’ appearance and nickname.
Winter Saloons 19-22
These saloon cars form the fifth batch of power cars supplied and were delivered in 1899 in readiness for the completion of the final section of the line between Laxey Station and Ramsey Plaza. They all remain in service. The four vestibuled cars known as the Winter Saloons are the backbone of the fleet of the Manx Electric Railway on the Isle of Man; they are all still in regular service but car 22 was completely rebuilt following a fire at Derby Castle Depôt in 1992 and is now widely considered to be a replica car.
24-27
This was the sixth batch of tramcars delivered. These open cars were purchased from G.F. Milnes & Co., in 1898 and only No. 24 has been lost, and this was in the 1930 fire at Laxey. Of those remaining, car 25 was stripped of her trucks and motors in 2003 and these have since been fitted to the "new" dedicated works car, now known as car 34. Also, car 26 has been out of service for many years, and 27 is a permanent way "hack" having more recently received a striped yellow and black paint scene to her dash panels, and prior to this a somewhat makeshift windscreen.
Ratchet Cars 28-31
The sixth batch of motorcars to arrive are all extant today, but only two remain in service; by far the most powerful of the line's stock, these cars all remain on the line today, with 32 and 33 still in regular service; they were designed to haul two trailers when built but this was never a day-to-day feature of operation, although they have on occasion hauled two trailers in conjunction with enthusiasts events. Sister car 29 is in store at Homefield depot having been out of service for many years whilst 30 and 31 are in store on the railway itself but have not turned a wheel in service for many years.
32 + 33
These are the most powerful of the lines rolling stock both were built in 1906 by U.E.C.C in Preston.
Both are still in service today and take turns with the wire crew department. Car 33 had a trip to the team railway in 1998 for steam 125 events. Also car 33 went under refurbishment in 2008 and car 32 in 2015. by far the most powerful of the line's stock still in regular service; they were designed to haul two trailers when built but this was never a day-to-day feature of operation, although they have on occasion hauled two trailers in conjunction with enthusiasts events.
Both are still in service today and take turns with the wire crew department. Car 33 had a trip to the team railway in 1998 for steam 125 events. Also car 33 went under refurbishment in 2008 and car 32 in 2015. by far the most powerful of the line's stock still in regular service; they were designed to haul two trailers when built but this was never a day-to-day feature of operation, although they have on occasion hauled two trailers in conjunction with enthusiasts events.