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Manx Electric Railway Derby Castle Depot potential sale

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Fezwig, Aug 27, 2025.

  1. Fezwig

    Fezwig New Member

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    If you owned a heritage railway, would you even consider selling it's workshops and depot that dates back to the start of the railway in 1893?
    Well, the Isle of Man Government would!!
    https://mers.org.im/.../MER%20Derby%20Castle%20Depot%20...
     
    Fezwig, Aug 27, 2025
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  2. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Surely it will be seen by the government as just another asset.

    At least it appears to be far from a done deal and the full pack includes the following which sort of implies they have little hope of selling it.


    "MER Depot / Additional Land The Department may consider development proposals which involve the purchase and redevelopment of the adjacent MER Depot on the basis that existing or similar facilities will be provided within an enlarged scheme. Please contact us for additional information"
     
    Gladiator 5076, Aug 27, 2025
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  3. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    The wording of the offer more or less says "we'd like to sell but you'd have to be daft to buy".
     
    MellishR, Aug 27, 2025
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  4. marshall5

    marshall5 Part of the furniture

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    The Summerland site has been on and off the market for years. AIUI the problem is that the skeletal remains of Summerland are holding back the cliff and to make it safe (it's already 'pinned') the cliff would have to be cut back to achieve a reasonable angle of repose. Unfortunately (or fortunately as regards the MER depot) the person who owns the land above the cliff is less than enthusiastic about losing his land. I'd put it in the 'It'll never happen' box.
    Ray.
     
    marshall5, Aug 27, 2025
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  5. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    Having just read that, I wonder if it was simply a case of trying to show that we are doing our best to look after IOM taxpayers without selling the family silver to do it.
     
    lynbarn, Sep 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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