FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 144 - SUMMER / AUTUMN / WINTER 2007

The description of this product is as shown follows on the distributing company’s website at www.beckmanndirect.com:-

“This official film provides a definitive history of the only Victorian Railway system in the world which is still in full working order. The Isle of Man Steam and Electric Railways are featured here in graphic detail, utilising exclusive archive film showing the early workings of the long forgotten Prospect Hill Cable Cars and the Douglas Head Tram Cars, as well as the early days both of the Steam and Snaefell Mountain Railways.

In addition to the extensive archive footage the programme takes us onboard the restored electric railway from Douglas to Ramsey via Laxey and the dramatic ascent to Snaefell with its spectacular views over the Island.

We also travel on the Steam Railway through the picturesque countryside to Port Erin visiting the Railway Museum with its extensive range of memorabilia and artifacts. Railways of the Isle of Man provides a fascinating insight and a lasting memento of one of the worlds truly unique transport systems.

Our reviewer begs to differ with this description however…

Imagine the delight of this reviewer, seeing a new DVD of the island’s railways on the shelf at his local bookstore; for a modest fee he purchases the item and studies the sleeve notes and photographs. He notices the footer on the front cover that states “The Official Isle Of Man Department Of Tourism & Transport Film” and thinks nothing of it, surely just a typing error, that department has not existed in that form for several years. Ah, well.

It is with some trepidation that he places the shiny new disc into the player (fear not, for its available in VHS format too) and settles down in his armchair to be entertained for just over an hour. He becomes a little puzzled when the first image that greets him is that of Bobby Cowin opening the gates of Douglas Station, a familiar sight at one time but not recently! Maybe this scene will merge into “that was then, this is now…” and show the forecourt as it is today, complete with Greens Restaurant in the old booking hall. But no, alas this isn’t to be. When the images are joined by Charles Guard’s cheesy 1980s synthesized music the proverbial penny drops: this is not a brand new promotional programme with new images and up to date information for the discerning holidaymaker. No, it’s a direct V.H.S. to D.V.D. copy of the video from 1987 introduced by Charles Guard!

If, lets say, an average potential holidaymaker was to pick this up and watch it, and then travel to the island they would be in for a surprise. If the images are to be believed, the visitor can travel on the Falcon Cliff lift for 10p a time, visit the café at the Laxey Wheel, the tram museum at Ramsey but sadly no trip behind Sea Lion on the Groudle Glen Railway, as it only gets a passing mention! Similarly, there’s no mention of the Laxey Mines Railway or the Orchid Line at the Curraghs Wildlife Park. For what proclaims to be an “official” production this programme lets the Department of Tourism & Leisure down very badly indeed. As promotions go, it is very unusual to completely miss out three railways!

As an historical document however this programme is interesting; it shows the island and its railways as they were 20 years ago and oh how the times have changed! We see the steam railway with its multi-coloured coaches of the Jackson era (F.39 in brown and white, the “pairs” and saloons in red/purple with Isle Of Man Railways stick-on letters,) and of course No. 12 with its controversial blue livery. The standard of the permanent way is also apparent as in the opening shot where No. 13 Kissack (then in green livery) jumps and sways along the more, erm, “traditional” style I.M.R. track. We are treated to seeing trains passing at Port Soderick (remember that?!) and we even get to see No.1 Sutherland and No. 15 Caledonia in the museum at Port Erin. We are even treated to an in-depth explanation from Mr. Paul Ogden who divulges the secrets of how a steam engine works. But what really stands out in the I.M.R. segment of the programme is when it is pointed out that all the level crossings are still manned, with the good old-fashioned flag man; the exception of course being Ballasalla where “modern” crossing gates have been installed. We are even treated to seeing Peter Thompson operate these gates, with the equally modern ships’ wheel, which in the context of events that have happened since this was filmed is, one supposes, unique footage of sorts!

The Manx Electric Railway is similarly treated although this doesn’t appear to have changed quite so much in the intervening 20 years; certainly, the major redevelopment of Derby Castle Works is apparent, and the state of some of the tramcars isn’t too desirable. But there is a distinct lack of hi-viz coats on the platform crews, and no modern plastic signage liberally scattered and certainly no threats that “you are being watched…”. In a similar vein to the IMR section, Daryl Gribbin talks us through the workings of a tramcar. What remains of the video is made up of a trip on the horse trams, and some interesting archive footage of the three existing systems, plus the Douglas Cable Cars and Marine Drive Tramways. This unusual footage alone is not worth the cover price of £14.99 but it is certainly a selling point; the main criticism is that the newly designed sleeve makes it appear as if this is a brand new product when it isn’t.

“2178”

Editors Comment: It is very disappointing to note that the Groudle Glen Railway receives the merest of mentions here; this is made more disappointing when you consider that the original VHS programme was updated some time between 1990 and the MER centenary celebrations in 1993. The re-release for 1993 was advertised as the “Official Year of Railways” video, which at least had segments that were only a couple of years old at the time! For the completist, or anyone wishing to keep DVD copies of archive material, this is an ideal addition to the collection.