FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 145 - SPRING / SUMMER 2008

Sadly, I must open this editorial with some very sad news; our long-time treasurer and one of our most active members Harold Flavell passed away suddenly in April at the age of 80; there is a full obituary elsewhere within these pages, needless to say that his presence will be missed by everyone who knew him, especially the regular volunteers down at Groudle and the many regular visitors to the railway. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

Elsewhere, there has been an overwhelming reaction to the questionnaire that was included in the last issue and the answers have provided us with much room for thought and discussion. Obviously there will not be time or space to reproduce everyone’s opinions but there is an article in this issue in which we have done our best to include a cross-section of people’s opinions and suggestions, both good and bad. Members will no doubt be pleased to hear that a number of their suggestions are already in hand and being implemented, and we look forward to receiving more feedback.

Of the comments received it has become apparent (and indeed we thought it would be the case!) that the association does not really have a strong enough presence on the railway itself and to this end I have prepared the recruitment/awareness poster that appears on the inside front cover of this issue. These have been reproduced in A3 size and we are in the process of placing these at all the station and other tourist sites and places of interest. The poster will be accompanied at major sites by a new glossy recruitment form which hopefully will raise awareness of the group and increase the membership numbers in the near future.

The other matter that requires redressing is the creation of an official Supporters’ Association website. We must surely be in the minority by not having our own site but I’m happy to advise that this is in hand and hopefully by the end of this year (if we’re being really optimistic, sooner!) this will be up and running. Again, if anyone has any suggestions for content they will be gratefully received to myself care of the details that appear in the front cover. We envisage that this will contain a news page, galleries (for which we welcome readers’ contributions) and a forum facility where signed-up members can openly discuss any topics of interest on the railway.

On the railways, the big news is the temporary closure of the Laxey to Ramsey section of the Manx Electric Railway; whilst not being the Association’s area, it is of great concern that this is to apparently remain closed until the end of July 2008, half way through the summer season. Minister responsible Adrian Earnshaw (who has been dubbed the “Minister of Glum”) has since advised that £5,000,000 will be expended on the northerly section to have it operating - initially it was to be closed all year. Meanwhile services continue from Derby Castle to Laxey only, with the Snaefell line opening slightly later as is traditional. Of the many comments and negative press that Mr Earnshaw has received as a result of his department’s actions, perhaps the most amusing ties in with the impending release of a faux Hollywood blockbuster “Indiana Earnshaw & The Temple Of Gloom”, with tongue firmly in cheek.

As Harold would no doubt have put it: “Hmm” said Don Camillo, who every now and again liked to appear skeptical… (cue collapse of stout party and echoes of booming laughter).