Category: Railways…

…and trams, traction engines, buses, ships, boats, canals and other transport subjects

Clyde coast

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Friday 11 August: Who needs the Med! On a day like, the clear waters of the Firth of Clyde look very tempting. I’m on a day out by rail, from Dunbar to Glasgow, from where I’ll use ‘boat trains’ to visit Ardrossan, Largs and Wemyss Bay. Serving Arran, Great Cumbrae and Bute, a trip across the ‘watter’ from these ports would be most enjoyable, but time is tight. A flying (floating?) visit from Largs to Great Cumbrae, on the smallest of the ferries, will suffice. After this recce mission, a ‘proper’ visit will be in order – I’d better start planning…

There’s much more on the railway journey at Boat trains on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=215300&Y=656625&A=Y&Z=130

Day 6: Tram hunting

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29 July: Our last day on the Isle of Man. Before we board the ferry for the crossing to Liverpool, we need a leg-stretch – up to Howstrake and back. There will be trams galore! It’s quite a scenic stretch too, as the tramway climbs from sea level at Derby Castle to the clifftops at Howstrake, where there’s a great view of the Groudle Glen line to Sea Lion Rocks. Some of the views are below; to see the trams, visit Douglas Trams on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Port Soderick to Douglas

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., WalksLeave a comment

25 July: Douglas Head Marine Drive – tramway no more

This standard-gauge (4′ 8½”) tramway closed immediately before the war in 1939, and never reopened. Providing a spectacular ride along the cliffs, the high-level route connected to sea level at either end using funiculars. Today we must use steps and feet… There’s a good road surface much of the way, though a short unstable central section is closed to vehicles, so there’s no through traffic, making for a quiet and most enjoyable walk.

Wikipedia: Douglas Southern Electric Tramway

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=236505&Y=473975&A=Y&Z=120

From the sublime…

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The Apedale Valley Light Railway’s steam locomotives are wonderful things. Their internal combustion locomotives are, in some cases at least, at the other end of the scale (but no less fascinating). This weekend they’re holding their ‘Military trains’ event – I decided to go and take a look on this very fine and sunny day. Visit Military trains at Apedale on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for the full story and more photos