FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 34, SPRING 1975

Well, simply, the fact of two Ulstermen meeting a third Ulsterman quite by chance in Douglas Station in July 1973.

My companion, Fred Allen, and I were producing a movie film of the Isle of Man Railway and had just completed shooting scenes on Douglas platform when we were approached by a gentleman with a Northern Ireland accent who was also filming on the island. We got into conversation and discovered that he was so impressed with the railway that he wished to become a member of the Supporters’ Association, so we gave him the secretary’s address. I was also surprised to learn that he lived quite near to me in the village of Dunmurry and he introduced himself as Samuel Bracegirdle. We spent the rest of the morning together filming other parts of the railway and op parting company arranged to meet again back home in Northern Ireland.

We had some film shows that following winter in each other’s homes and every time the conversation always came round to the Isle of Man Railway because it had left a deep impression on us all.

During July 1974 we decided to find out how many members resided in the Northern Ireland area and with the assistance of Mr. Tony Beard, we were able eventually to make contact with the members and after many delays due to the troubles, we held our first get-together on Saturday 11^th January, since when we have had further meetings as you will see from the area group notes.

Sydney Glover

FROM THE SAME ISSUE - FIRST AREA GROUP NOTES

It was a “full-house” in the Belfast Y.M.C.A. for the January and February meetings of the newly formed group. The first meeting on Saturday 11^th January got very wide publicity in the press and the B.B.C. interviewed Mr. Samuel Bracegirdle (joint organiser) on Why We Should Support The Isle Of Man Railway? Members and friends were entertained to an excellent 1½ hour sound colour film of the Douglas - Port Erin Line produced by two of our members, Mr. Fred Allen and Mr. Sydney Glover. The members had a discussion on the railway and its future and all agreed that the Castletown – Port Erin line will not succeed and will phase out as most tourists stay in the Douglas area, and it should be known that money and friends will be lost to the island if the administrators proceed with this closure.

Members said that in years to come people will be amazed at the readiness of the Manx Administrators to abandon very valuable tourist attractions such as the railway and the Laxey / Ramsey electric line in favour of road transport interests.

The general meeting of Friday 7^th February was also reported by the press and radio and this helped to bring in a number of new members. An election of officers took place at this meeting resulting in Mr. Samuel Bracegirdle becoming chairman, with Mr. Sydney Glover as secretary and Mr. John Allen as treasurer. The organising committee consists of these three and Mr. R.A. Roberts and Mr. Gordon Marshall.

Mr. Bracegirdle said great interest had been aroused in Northern Ireland on the short-sighted decision to shorten the southern line and the members agreed that the committee should send an open letter to the Tynwald and Tourist Board calling on the government for a take-over of all assets of the Railway Company sufficient for the operation of the Douglas – Port Erin line. The line from Castletown – Douglas must be preserved until a final decision on the railway is made. The proposed annual subscription to the area group will be £1.50 and 75p for juniors and old-aged pensioners. The committee was asked to prepare a programme of meetings and activities for consideration at our next meeting on Saturday 8^th March 1975 at which we hope to have a visit from officers from the Isle of Man.