That’s what the Groudle Glen publicity tells us about this little Manx 2ft-gauge line. For photos and an account of our visit there on 24 July, go to “Groudle Glen” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
Author: geoffspages
Groudle Glen and Isabella
Wednesday 24 July: We’re visiting the Isle of Man to coincide with its “Heritage Transport Festival” – the upshot of which is that the Groudle Glen Railway will be operating during the daytime today (it mostly operates on Sundays and Wednesday evenings). As we’ll be home again on Sunday, we’d better pay the line a visit.
We arrive at Groudle Glen tram stop an hour or so before services are due to begin – so we walk down the glen beyond the station, then up onto the headland to the terminus high above the sea and the site of the former zoo, where sea lions and polar bears were kept as a visitor attraction.
It’s possible that not everyone has heard of the GGR, but the Laxey wheel is probably the one thing everyone has heard of. So we’re back on the “Electric Railway” to Laxey, for lunch in the outside seating area of the Mines Tavern (whose bar is decorated to resemble a tram). What a great place to sit and enjoy the passing scene! Then we’re off past “Ham and Eggs Row” to the great red water wheel – “Lady Isabella”. It’s quite a sight to see this 22m wheel slowly turning (at 3rpm), alternately pushing and pulling the rod which once operated the pumps at the mine further up the glen. It’s a pretty good view from the top of its water feed tower too.
Groudle Glen Railway
The Great Laxey Wheel (Manx Heritage)
Riding the 3ft gauge
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – photos and an account of our travels on the Isle of Man Steam Railway. Visit IoM: the Steam Railway – now!
IoM: Cregneash
Tuesday 23 July: a ride on the steam railway to the south-western tip of the island. Leaving the train at Port Erin, we walked up the steep and narrow minor road to the museum at Cregneash, where there are numerous thatched buildings and exhibits from crofting life. We’ve missed – by yards – the stone circle on Meayll Hill (blame the mist!) – we’d better walk back and take a look.
We’d thought of walking to take a look across the Calf Sound, to the Calf of Man, but the mist was reluctant to clear. Instead, we’ll follow the coastal path “Raad ny Foillan” to Port St Mary and the train back to Douglas. There are “chasms” close by the path – we’d better take a look at those. Wow!
Walking back to our hotel, after dining well (we’ve earned it – walked nearly 12 miles today) by Douglas harbour, there’s an interesting and unusual building beside the road. It’s Tynwald.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
Cregneash (Manx Heritage)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=219735&Y=467737&A=Y&Z=120
Manx fun
We’re just back from the Isle of Man! An early departure from home last Monday, to catch the ferry from Liverpool to Douglas; home again yesterday evening – six full days, with never a dull moment. There’s the steam railway to Port Erin, the electric railway to Laxey and Ramsey, the mountain railway to the top of Snaefell, the Douglas horse tramway (just a very short section in use at present), the Groudle Glen railway – and last – and least! – the 19″ gauge mines railway at Laxey. Lots of non-railway interest too. There will be more over the coming days – in the meantime, here are a few tasters
Old stone
Buildwas and Wroxeter: taking it easy on a grey day. There’s tranquility in the ruins of the abbey, the stones of the great pillars warm on this dull afternoon. Wroxeter feels altogether more bleak, though the colour in the replica villa brightens the scene wonderfully.
Buildwas Abbey EH; Wroxeter Roman City EH
The Honeypot and Willey
A delightful name – it’s no more than a few houses and a farm, a mile or so out of Broseley. By comparison, the hamlet of Willey is a positive metropolis – it’s even got a village hall. Other than a couple of cars on the two short stretches of road, I’ve got this quiet corner of Shropshire to myself this afternoon.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367850&Y=300266&A=Y&Z=120
An evening on the Edge
Thursday 18 July: it’s a fine, bright evening, and we’re having a wander with the camera on the Wenlock Edge near Much Wenlock. We walk up the stone-floored lane, along the crest almost as far as the main road, and return through the woodland and the old quarries, past Stokes Barn and back to the car. The fields and hedgerows are colourful now – and there are lots of pyramidal orchids to catch the eye.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360790&Y=299656&A=Y&Z=120
Shirlett on a warm evening
It’s a still, calm evening; the cooling air feels heavy. We’ll follow the road alongside the woods, and the track through the trees to the trig point – just the thing for a gentle leg-stretch.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365222&Y=297946&A=Y&Z=120
At Shugborough
A quick lunch, followed by a wander with the camera, around the estate and in some of the lesser buildings.
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