Manx Electric Cars 4-9

This article details Car Nos. 4–9 of the Manx Electric Railway on the Isle of Man.

Car Nos. 4 – 9
Car No. 6, Howstrake Head
ManufacturerG.F. Milnes & Co., Birkenhead
Constructed1894
Number built6
FormationVestibuled Saloon
Capacity36 (except Car 5: 32)
OperatorsIsle Of Man Heritage Railways
DepotsDerby Castle Depôt
Specifications
Traction systemFour SEHC traction motors of 25 hp (19 kW)
Power output100 hp (75 kW)
Electric system(s)550 V DC
Current collector(s)Overhead
Braking system(s)Air
Track gauge3 ft (914 mm)
Tunnel Car No.5 at Laxey Station hauling an open trailer
Tunnel Car No.7 on the siding at Laxey Station
Tunnel Car No.6 at Laxey Station in its present form.
Tunnel Car No.9 approaching Derby Castle passing the depot

Details

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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, typical of early trams, as opposed to the more usual reversible seating common in tramcar layout.

Losses

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All remaining cars are still in regular use today except for No.4 and No.8, both of which were destroyed by the Laxey Car Shed fire in 1930 together with several other items of stock; at times remaining class members have been temporarily re-numbered for photographic purposes during events to mimic these lost cars.

Illuminated Car

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Giving rise to controversy among the M.E.R. faithful No.9 was selected to become the tramway's first illuminated car and has operated as such in this guise ever since, in a variety of styles; prior to this it was painted in the brown and cream scheme as it carried when delivered to the line, from 1979 for the centenary of electric traction celebrations and Millennium of Tynwald. Initially individual blubs, the illuminations were later changed to rope lights, and it currently has LED fittings.

Rebuild

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While cars 5 and 6 have remained in regular traffic, Car No. 7 was relegated to permanent way duties for a number of years and was in very poor condition. In early 2010, this car was removed from the system and extensively rebuilt by an on-island contractor, returning in a deep blue colour scheme, believed to have been that originally carried by this class of car upon delivery. The refit also saw the removal of longitudinal bench seating and its replacement with reversible tramway-type seating

Variants

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Some cars were later modified; No.5, has flip-over seating fitted reducing capacity; No.6 had the original split-screen refitted to the drivers cabs following refurbishment in 1989 but this was said to impede visibility and removed again in 1994. No.6 carried a unique lettering detail on its sides from 1986 bearing the legend "Isle of Man Passenger Transport Board", this was removed during a later repaint.

No. Year Builder Type Livery Seats Notes
No.4 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Unvestibuled Saloon ~ 34 Lost, Laxey Shed Fire 1930
No.5 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Flip-Over Seats Red, White & Teak 32 Traffic
No.6 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Unvestibuled Saloon Red, White & Teak 34 Post-1902 Company Livery
No.7 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Flip-Over Seats Prussian Blue, Cream & Teak 32 "Original" Livery Scheme
No.8 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Unvestibuled Saloon ~ 34 Lost, Laxey Shed Fire 1930
No.9 1894 G.F. Milnes & Co., Ltd. Unvestibuled Saloon Red, White & Teak 34 Illuminated Car

References

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  • Mike Goodwyn (1993). Manx Electric. Platform Five. ISBN 978-1-872524-52-8.
  • Keith Pearson (1992). 100 Years Of Manx Electric Railway. Leading Edge. ISBN 0-948135-38-7.
  • Robert Hendry (1978). Manx Electric Album. Hillside Publishing. ISBN 0-9505933-0-3.
  • Norman Jones (1994). Isle Of Man Tramways. Foxline Publishing. ISBN 1-870119-32-0.

See also

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Sources

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