The railway's inaugeral Rush Hour event took place over the bank holiday weekend 1st - 3rd May and saw a number of firsts for the line; the most notable event of the period saw the operation of diesel tram No. 34 from the Manx Electric Railway operating a limited number of runs, with two returns to Port Erin and a further four short trips to Port Soderick.  Saturday evening saw a night photography session at Douglas Station with three locomotives in steam.

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Sunday was the busy day, from which the event took its name, and saw an intense timetable in operation; in addition to the "usual" four train service, the tram did a run to Port Erin, and there were two extra trains, one of which was a goods train hauled by No. 8 Fenella with H.1, Gr.12 and F.49 in tow.  An extra late train ran from both Douglas and Port Erin with 5.20pm departures.  The day saw the unusual sight of three trains in Port Erin at the same time, and an intense period at Castletown during which both extra trains had a layover period in the station.

The evening was filled with a film show provided by Supporters' Association chairman Bill Cubbon at the Sefton Hotel; the initial advertisements showed historian Stan Basnett as the presenter but he was unavailable and the chairman's films entertained the modest crowd.  The films shown were of 1982 (courtesy of member Chris Legge who provided copies of his sound films) and views of the return to service of Caledonia in 1995 and her visit to Snaefell Mountain as well as her inaugeration that Easter.

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Monday morning saw a unique opportunity to visit the railway's workshops and, more unusually, Douglas Signal Box, open to the public for what is believed to be the first time.  Prior to this, members of the Supporters' Association had spent two evenings preparing the 'box for the public, burnishing levers and polishing brass plates.  A recording from 1969 of well-known signalman Bobby Tate played in the background and was well received.

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A full rundown of the event will appear in the next issue of Manx Steam Railway News which is due soon.  A selection of photographs of the event will also appear on this site in due course.