As part of an ongoing overhaul of government departments, the railways are no longer to come under the banner of the Department of Tourism and Leisure, which itself will be disappearing.  The changes, which are part of a complete re-shuffle of departments, will see the new department of Community, Culture and Leisure created, and this is the title under which the railways will come.  Full details of the changes are in the process of being announced and details can be found at:-

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Massive-overhaul-of-government-planned.6029788.jp

It is to be hoped that it will “business as usual” on the railways, when the season commences on 16th March 2010.  The move will also see the island’s bus services, re-branded as Bus Vannin last year, come under this new department.  Tourism will now be classified under  the Department of Economic Development.