…and trams, traction engines, buses, ships, boats, canals and other transport subjects
We’ve spent the day exploring, in a fairly eccentric and unstructured way, the north-west of England, focusing (so to speak) on Liverpool and Merseyside. More to follow; here are a couple of tasters. The Liver building may be instantly recognisable, even when it’s hiding being more modern structures; the Water Street entrance to James Street underground station may be less well-known, but it was worth a visit with the camera.
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
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
26 July continued: Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – photos and an account of of visit to the Groudle Glen Railway (for excellent cake!) and a rainy ride to Port Erin and back. (‘Erin’ is very nearly an anagram of ‘rain’. Hmm)
Visit Groudle Glen (and rainy Port Erin) for the soggy details!
25 July continued: The entries below cover our two explorations on foot – Peel Castle and the Douglas Head Marine Drive. There was railway interest en route – remnant of the steam railway at Peel, and our steam-hauled journey from Douglas to port Soderick. Visit Peel to Port Soderick on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for the full(ish) story and photos.
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
24 July: After arriving at Douglas and getting to our hotel, a stroll along to Derby Castle is just what’s needed. Passing horse trams on the way, we’ll then watch the arrival and putting to bed of the trams on the Manx Electric Railway. Visit “Manx Electric: Douglas” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
24-29 July: We arrived home yesterday evening after five nights in Douglas on the Isle of Man. There primarily for the railways and tramways, we intended to enjoy the island’s other attractions too, particularly some we missed on our last visit four years ago. It will take a little while to work through the hundreds of photos; in the meantime here’s a sample of some of the things we saw and did.
Saturday afternoon: a few minutes at this former lead mining centre in south-west Shropshire, one-time terminus of the Snailbeach District Railways. It’s a day of sharp, heavy showers – catching the sunshine in between is not easy…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=337320&Y=302135&A=Y&Z=120
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – more photos and an account of our travels on the longest day of the year, using the Cheshire Day Ranger – just the ticket for a great day out. Visit “Cheshire Solstice” – now!
