FROM THE MINUTES OF THE RECENT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN BILL CUBBON GAVE THE FOLLOWING ANNUAL SPEECH

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Since the last report we have seen significant development with the appointment of Mr. Ian Longworth as director of railways; he has an excellent background: Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and a former Chief Examiner for the Certificate of Professional Competence among others. He also has extensive experience with Timeline Travel and Shearings. Tram enthusiasts will also know him from various L.T.R.M. trips which he has organised. We have had numerous meetings with him since his appointment and are very pleased with his business-like approach and keenness to address some of the long-term problems of the department inherited from his predecessor. We have at long last got a director keen to go out and get business. To run a railway that is trying to provide trains that will tempt the public to travel, a willingness to run extra trains and trams, not just to the basic service seen in recent times. The time timetable will see evening services on two nights during the peak season with Thursdays to Castletown and Wednesday trams shuttles which tie-in with our own services on the Groudle Glen Railway, and onward to Laxey with a opportunity to travel up Snaefell for an evening meal. We at Groudle have agreed to run two weeks earlier on Wednesdays with a special event linked to a guided walk and light buffet in the café at Sea Lion Rocks.

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I have highlighted on numerous occasions in the past the number of coaches available for traffic is getting very tight; those of you who have visited our excellent website will no doubt be aware that F.32 has been removed from the railway with outside contractors now in the process of completing the re-build. A similar contract has been issued for car 7 on the electric line recently. Mr. Longworth still hopes that progress of the County Donegal railcars can recommence with the bodywork on one car being completed sufficiently to place it on display and raise awareness of the outstanding work that needs to be done. Caledonia is also in the middle of a major overhaul, stripped right down to the frames; it is intended that she will be used for Driver Experience Days in the summer of 2011, similar to the Ultimate Driving Experience on the M.E.R. which has been very well received this year (indeed the initial run has already been expanded).

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The railway management is actively seeking our help with ancillary events in connection with this year's revised events periods; volunteers are needed to act as stewards on Monday 3rd May to guide parties around the Douglas Workshops. No doubt other opportunities will arise as the reason progresses. The Supporters' Association and the Groudle Glen Railway always need new blood and if you think you may be able to help us in any way please do get in touch with us. We intend to re-start the Manx Area Group in the near future to see if there is any interest out there, we hope this will take place within the next month or so, most likely again here at the Columba Catholic Club.

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Turning to a different matter, those of you who are of a certain age will doubtless remember the Supporters' Association trying to raise funds to restore locomotive No. 9 Douglas to traffic in 1977. This project was frustrated by the locomotive being sold to the then Isle of Man Railway Society based in Rugby and this resulted in bitter words between the two organisations at the time. Recently we have been on much better terms with the current Isle of Man Railways & Tramways Preservation Society. Due to their needing to raise funds to pay for the asbestos removal of No. 5 Mona and No. 9 Douglas we have been approached and asked if we would like to purchase the latter to help pay the asbestos removal bill. The full details are rather complex but No. 9 could be purchased for approximately £1,500.00 with one nameplate only. I would therefore like ask the members whether they think we should open negotiations to purchase the locomotive with the intention of a cosmetic restoration and placement on display in the museum at Port Erin and I look forward to hearing feedback.

Bill Cubbon