On the evening of Friday 31st July at 6.30pm a special train departed Douglas Station for the return journey to Port Erin; the well-patronised service required a total of six coaches, including a saloon for the members of the Laxey & Lonan Heritage Trust and made good progress stopping at Santon Station for a static photographic opportunity.  A further short stop was made at Ballasalla Station for the locomotive to take water before completing its straight run to the southern terminus, arriving at about 7.45pm giving travellers well over an hour in the seaside village before the return at 9.00pm.  The locomotive chosen to haul the train was No. 12 "Hutchinson" of 1908 performing well, and sporting the recently-fitted tank-mounted numerals in lieu of the chimney-mounted brass numbers that were historically inaccurate.  Many have commented favourably that small details like this give faith that the railway's operation is in good hands from an enthusiast’s point of view.  The train made good time on the return trip, arriving back at the island's capital some 51 minutes after departure, shaving some 6 minutes of the scheduled journey time and despite the poor weather conditions the evening was enjoyed by one and all.  With thanks to Matt Robinson for the reproduction of his photograph here.