FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 74 - SPRING 1985

The operation of Royal Trains on the narrow gauge has proved quite rare but in modern times on the island we have experienced the running of these trains for members of the Royal Family on no less than three occasions.  On Sunday the 7th July 1963, Her Majesty The Queen Mother journeyed by train from Douglas to Kirk Braddan.  The train consisted of No. 11 Maitland with carriage F.46 and saloon coach F.36 in which Her Majesty rode.  The second occasion was on 2nd August 1972 when Her Majesty The Queen and family visited the island and a special train was provided between Castletown Station and Douglas for the Royal party at the conclusion of their visit.  And just two years ago on the 15th June 1983, saw Princess Alexandra and her husband travelling on the railway from Ballasalla to Santon.

The operation of these trains requires some considerable forward planning and as an example of these arrangements, we can look at what happened on the occasion when Her Majesty The Queen and her family took what is considered to be the longest ride on the I.M.R.  This special occasion was arranged for a normal operating day (Wednesday 2nd August) and a few days before the event, the Railway Company published the following public notices in the papers:-

THE FOLLOWING TRAINS WILL NOT RUN:-

2.10pm DOUGLAS-PORT ERIN

3.40pm PORT ERIN-DOUGLAS

4.10pm DOUGLAS-PORT ERIN

CASTLETOWN & DOUGLAS STATIONS WILL BE COMPLETELY

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AT 3.30pm

IT IS REGRETTED THAT NO SIGHTSEERS CAN BE ALLOWED

ON THE BALLASALLA, SANTON OR PORT SODERICK STATIONS.

Under control of traffic managements at this time was Railway Company General Manager William Lambden well known for his detailed working procedures.  Members of staff, including the writer and other members of the Supporters' Association who were asked to assist, were given a sealed package a couple of days before the great event, and to each package was attached a note, signed by Mr. Lambden which forbid the recipient to discuss the contents of the package with anyone except the General Manager.  Such was the very careful arrangements made for occasions such as this.  For those who were there and witnessed the occasion, it was a very special day for the railway, and to show exactly what went on, the secret contents of the package are now revealed!