Fenella takes to the road

The Isle of Man Festival of Steam, taking place on April 17-23 2017, will feature a spectacular climax, when Isle of Man Steam Railway 2-4-0T No. 8 Fenella takes to the Manx roads – hauled by steam.



Swapping rails for the road next year, IoMSR Beyer Peacock 2-4-0T No. 8 Fenella departs Douglas station in May 2010. KEN ELWORTHY


The ‘Heavy Haulage’ part of the event (April 20-23) will see a road train consisting of three Fowler road locomotives – Atlas, The Duke of York and The Great North - hauling the Beyer Peacock 3ft gauge engine on a four day journey around the island.

Day one sees the convoy of vintage vehicles depart Douglas station, heading north along the route of the Manx Electric Railway to the Isle of Man Motor Museum, via Laxey and Ramsey, coinciding with the arrival of a tour of steam cars.

The next day, Fenella will summit Snaefell Mountain, albeit on the road rather than rail, as the road train follows the famous TT circuit to Port Erin station. This will involve a climb of 1800ft between Ramsey and the road’s summit, crossing the Snaefell Mountain Railway at the Bungalow. All the engines will be on display at the IoMSR’s southern terminus throughout the following day.

The final day of the tour will see the road train and its precious cargo climb 1000ft in five miles as it returns to Douglas via the challenging Sloc Road.

A vintage bus will shadow the road train on Thursday and Friday, giving unique photographic opportunities as the bus repeatedly stops and overtakes the ensemble.

As travel on the vintage bus will be limited, advanced booking is recommended www.rail.im or the Welcome Centre 01624 662525.

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