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The line is situated in the Curraghs Wild Life Park, Ballaugh, Isle of Man, which can be reached by car or from Douglas, Peel and Ramsey by Isle of Man Transport bus routes 5 and 6 group. The above dates and times have been taken from information supplied by the Orchid Line - any query regarding the services, or to check for up to the minute details of operations, should be directed to the Manx Steam & Model Engineering Club, details below |
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Manx Steam & Model Engineering Club was formed in
1985. Three or four of the members had already made 5" or 3 1/2"
gauge steam locomtives and, after three of four seasons experimenting
with a portable dual-gauge track, it was decided to look for a site
where a permanent club track could be built. Negotiations with the
Isle of Man Government resulted in a concession to build and run a
three-gauge circular layout in the Island's Wildlife Park. The gauges
are 3 1/2", 5" and 7 1/4".
Work was started in the late sumer of 1991 and the railway, called
the Orchid Line (after the wild orchids growing in the area), was
opened by the Island's Chief Minister in May 1992. At first the track
consisted of a single circuit with a passing loop and a station.
There was also a steaming-up area with a turntable. the Club agreed
with the Park authorities to endeavour to run the railway for the
public every fortnight.
After two years' successful running, the Club obtained permission to
extend the track from its initial 550ft to a length of 1750ft. This
was carried out in two stages; in 1996 an additional circuit was laid
down outside the first, then in the following year the second stage
was completed by driving a third circuit, to make a figure of eight.
By this time the locomotive stock had been increased by the addition
of four 7 1/4" gaugue engines. The 3 1/2"! gauge was confined to the
original circle.
In 1999 the Club was given permission to extend the track to some
3,042 feet by pushing a winding extension throughthe wooded bog area
called the Curragh. The work was made possible by a generous grant
from the Mann 2000 committee and a significant private donation. The
Millennium extension was opened in August 2000. The railway is
controlled by signals throughout its length with sector control. In
its course it crosses five steel bridges, five level crossings
(controlled by flashing lights and buzzers), two diamond crossings
and nine sets of points. Before running each year the track is
inspected and passed by an official Government-appointed railway
inspector. Nearly all the trains are fitted with vacuum brake and
carry a guard.
Public services are operated every Sunday and Bank Holiday throughout
the season. Since 1992 passenger support has steadily increased to
pass an annual total of more than 15, 000 for the 2003 season. The
100,000th passenger since the line opened was carried in August
2004.
The locomotive stock has increased to include five 5" and seven 7
1/4" gauge steam locomtives and a 7 1/4" gauge petrol hydraulic
locomotive.
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Details of membership of the Manx Steam & Model Engineering Club are available from Hon Treasurer John Messenger 'Two-Hoots' 16 Pinehurst Close Braddan Isle of Man IM2 1PL Telephone: +44 (0)1624 628081 or by e-mail to the club Chairman, Mike Casey |