Electric Railway & Tramway Carriage Co. Cars 28 - 31

Car 28 and Trailer 36 seen at Lag Birragh on an obviously grey and chilly day judging by the number of roller shutters pulled down on the tram to protect the passengers from the wind at this exposed location. 28 has been stored out of service for many years at Laxey Car Sheds and today presents a poor sight, heavily stripped of electrical equipment including controllers and trolley. Photo R.F. Mack

Car 29 has also been stored out of use for many years but with the exception of it's trolley pole is relatively intact as shown here during a period of outside storage on Laxey Goods Shed siding in October 1997. Of all the stored Ratchet Cars, 29 is believed to be in the best condition and would probably need the least attention to return to an operational condition. (Photo A. Spencer)

An early 1960s view of a recently repainted Car 30 at Laxey. The adjacent Station Hotel later became the Mines Tavern complete with replica Tram Bar in 1972. Photo R.F.Mack

After withdrawal from service in the late 1970s, 31 spent over a decade in storage at Laxey Car Sheds. 31 was subsequently removed to Derby Castle Works for overhaul and repaint in 1992 in time to celebrate the Centenary of the MER during 1993. Unfortunately 31 saw little service as it was continually dogged with electrical faults. However this has since been remedied as 31 has received the trucks formerly under Ratchet Car 17 and used for a time under privately owned MER Loco 23 also pictured in this view on the headshunt at Laxey Car Sheds on the 7th September 1993. The car is now stored disused. (Photo A. Spencer)

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