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With numerous events planned to take place over the seven day period on the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway. The Isle of Man will be the place to be from 30th July – 5th August 2009

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Having signed the lease agreement for Hangar 230, Manx Transport Trust members were able to start moving vehicles to the Hangar over the weekend. Road Services Leopard 97 was the first MTT vehicle to enter the hangar on Friday 26th June. Saturday 27th June saw Atlanteans 134 and 144 moved on trade plates from Hangar 292 to 230. Sunday saw the addition of Leyland Nationals 24 and 32. Isle of Man Newspapers reporters were on site on Monday to talk to three of the MTT directors and take pictures of some of the vehicles that will be displayed in Jurby Transport Museum.

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When Manx Transport Trust were invited to take part in this years Anthony Nolan Ladies Driving Challenge, members were quick to carry out minor repirs to Atlantean 144 to ready the vehicle for the event. The day itself was wet and windy but it did not dampen the spirits of the ladies taking part in the challenge.

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Built in 1896 the last remaining Upper Douglas Cable Car is currently housed in Douglas horse tram shed. This uniqe part of the Island's history is soon to become an exhibit at Jurby Transport Museum.

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Jack Dibnah recently visited Jurby with an ex Isle of Man Highway board Road Roller.

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As the Manx transport Trust will be responsible for the maintenance of Hangar 230 once the lease is signed, the opportunity was taken to photograph the structure in detail to see what repairs are required before it can be opened to the public.

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Tuesday March 31st saw a new Volvo B9TL out on test in the North of the Island. The Wright Gemini bodied Volvo's are finished in the new fleet colours and are due to enter service on Thursday the 9th of April.

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With limited space in Douglas Bus depot M193 a 1980 Metrobus was moved to Jurby to make room for the New Volvo's.
New to London Transport, this Metrobus operated until 2000 – latterly as a trainer with London United Busways. It was then sold to Thames Valley Training who repainted it in their Blackpool Corporation Inspired livery.
The Bus was imported to the Isle of Man in 2006.

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DMN 650 is a 1939 AEC regent I. No 50 was withdrawn from service with Douglas Corporation in 1967. Initially preserved in England No 50 returned to the Island in 1986. Having been in storage for many years it is hoped this seventy year old vehicle will be able to join the many other buses at Jurby Transport Museum.

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1952 Leyland Royal Tiger NMN906, Currently in storage on the Island. Having been withdrawn from passenger service in March 1978, No 88 was used first by the Isle of Man Railway as staff transport, latterly used as a Tourist information bus and finally sold in May 1982 to Ramsey and District Motor Cycle & Car Club for use as an office.

The Royal Tiger was used as a stationary office at Kimmeragh Quarry until 1991 when it was acquired for preservation.

NMN 907 No 89 also still exists and is currently in store in Lancashire.

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Two members of the Manx Transport Trust recently visited Lancashire to inspect Road Services Olympic no 84. The ultimate goal is to bring the Olympic back to the Island for public display at the Manx Tranpsort Museum.

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Pictures taken in the early 80's of four out of eight Olympics bought by Isle of Man Road Services.

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Now for the final bus to move from Homefield to Jurby. Withdrawn from service in 1951 the Lion was transferred to Tree lopping duties and remianed in use until November 1967. Stored in various locations this 82 year old Lion is sure to be a star attraction at the Jurby Transport Museum.

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With the Regent III moved attention now turns to the last two remaining buses at Homefield. First to be moved was 1958 Road Services PD3/3 No 32.

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Manx Transport Trust were again on hand to ready the 1947 AEC Regent III No 58 for the journey to Jurby. Isle of Man Transport staff took time from routine maintenance at Banks Circus to see if it were possible to get 58 to run. Unfortunately the fuel pump refused to operate, so the prop shaft was disconnected for the journey to Jurby.

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Ex Douglas Corporation Transport A.E.C. Regent V No 15 was also moved to Jurby along with Tiger Cub 54. No 15 was driven on trade plates to Hangar 230.

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18th February 2009. Manx Transport Trust volunteers were on hand to assist the recovery company with movement of buses from Homefield garage to Hangar 230 at Jurby. Having driven DCT 15 out of the paintshop, Road Services Tiger Cub No 54 was towed out of Homefield and onwards to Jurby.

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With a turn out of over a dozen volunteers, MTT were able to transport two van loads of parts and equipment to Jurby. Whilst on site at Homefield tyres were inflated on the buses that are to be moved within the coming weeks. Douglas Corporation Transport Regent V No 15 was also started and moved within the building to allow better access to DCT no 58.

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PLANS for a vintage transport museum are back on track after further discussions between Government Departments.

A solution has been found to allow the Manx Transport Trust to use a hangar at Jurby to house some of the historic vehicles pictured, including trams and buses currently stored at Homefield Garage in Douglas.

The move follows talks involving the Chief Minister and the Ministers for Tourism and Leisure (DTL), Local Government and the Environment (DLGE), and Trade and Industry (DTI).

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November the 6th 2008. Manx Transport Trust had a site meeting at Hangar 230, Jurby airfield with representatives from the Department of Local Government & Environment - Estates and Isle of Man Transport.

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As part of the restructuring and relocation of the Running Footman, Ex Isle of Man Road Services Bristol RE No 40 was offered for tender in September 2008. With viewing on the 12th of September, tenders had to be in on the 15th.
We are very grateful to Pat and Robert Owen who were on holiday in nearby Great Yarmouth for taking the time to go to the viewing.
Had the RE been in a more intact state we were considering putting in a bid. As can be seen from the pictures the restoration was at an advanced stage and to move it would surely have meant a low loader to transport it.
We understand that the RE has since been purchased by Talisman of Great Bromley in Essex.

History of No 40 is recorded at the Bristol Commercial Vehicles Enthusiasts site.

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Sunday 3rd of August was the date for this year’s Peel Carnival. Manx Transport Trust attended this event with Road Services Leopard 97. The carnival was a resounding success; with many colourful floats some great bands, stalls, classic cars and the Purple Helmets! With Great weather for the majority of the day the carnival was watched by hundreds of people along the promenade. We will certainly be attending Peel Carnival 2009!

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Manx Transport Museum Groups annual Rally was this year held on Marine Parade, Peel.

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Friday 18th July marked the successful re-opening of the Manx Electric Railway Laxey to Ramsey line. The line has been substantially re-built over the last few months in order for it to be fit for use.

Adrian Earnshaw MHK, Minister for the Department of Tourism and Leisure gave a brief speech regarding the vast quantities of new rail, ballast and sleepers used in the reconstruction work, before Saloon car 19 and Trailer 58 drove through the “All Aboard for Ramsey” banner.

Members of the House of Keys and invited guests were then conveyed to Ramsey on the newly rebuilt line.

The return journey was by Isle of Man Transports freshly repainted all Leyland PD2 KMN 504.

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Great weather and a fine selection of vehicles attended the Ramsey Car Show at the Mooragh Park on Sunday 13th July 2008.

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Sunday 29th June 2008. Manx National Heritage held an Edwardian day with demonstrations of hand crafts, cooking, washing, Edwardian garden games and an excellent magic lantern slide show.

1949 Douglas Corporation AEC Regent III no 64, was used to provide a free bus service by Isle of Man Transport between Ramsey Bus station and the Grove Museum.

Members of the public boarded the bus just to sample the delights of the Regent III as it negotiated the traffic lights and other obstacles on its short journey to the Grove Museum. The Regent was running a half hourly service and was able to take visitors back to the Bus station via the Mooragh promenade. Hopefully this will be just the start of vintage buses running on the Island.

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This is DRN672D. Another short Ribble Leopard.
It has been in open storage on the Isle of Man since December 1983.

After a guided tour of 672 in August 2007 a deal was subsequently struck and so on the 6th October 2007 672 was successfully recovered from Regaby and now joins 665 in preservation.

672 has donated several items towards the resoration of 665, but still remians fully mobile.

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Friday 26th October 2007 saw the return of the Computerbus MAN 30N to the Island after a brief spell in England for bodywork repairs and a new colour scheme. It is hoped that the Computerbus will now be able to remain in use for several years following its latest re-fit.
The first two pictures show the National at the Sea terminal in Douglas straight off the boat from Heysham. Apologies for the poor quality it was getting dark and I had the camera on the wrong setting!

The National is then pictured outside Manx Telecom's headquarters at the Isle of Man business park on 10th December 2007.

Thanks for letting me know you were there Alex!

The latest addition shows the official re-launch of the Computerbus with the Chief minister and other government officials being shown round the gleaming National.

Computerbus.com

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The first motor bus service was operated by the Manx Electric Railway in 1907, with two Argus charabancs running from the Bungalow to Sulby Glen. On Saturday 21st July 2007 Manx Transport Museum and Isle of Man Transport re-created part of the route by running two buses one vintage, one modern from the Bungalow to Sulby Reservoir.

All pictures were taken by Barry Edwards unless otherwise stated.

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Manx Transport Museum held the 2007 vintage vehicle rally at Jurby Parade ground. With a wide variety of vehicles and machinery on display, MTT even managed to secure great weather for the day with no rain falling on the parade ground!! It did rain elsewhere on the Island.

manxtransportmuseum@manx.net

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Merseyside Bus Club visited the Island with L501 a 1962 Liverpool Leyland PDR1 Atlantean 25th - 29th June. Within the week they travelled on both the Steam and Electric Railway, M.V. Karina and a variety of preserved buses.

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Douglas Corporation A.E.C. Regent V MN 8123 left the Island on the 27th September 2006. It is understood the Regent, stored for many years outside Wilson and Collins, Balthane has been sold by the Purple Helmets for restoration at the West of England Transport Museum, Winkleigh, Devon. The journey from Heysham to Devon was completed in nine hours.

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September 2006. Evaluation of ex - Isle of Man Transport Leyland National MAN 32N, on behalf of the Manx Transport Museum. Owned at the time by The Andreas Racing Association, Man 32N is pictured within the Jurby Industrial Estate where it is still housed. Bought by a member of the Manx Transport Museum in December, subsequently moved from ARA premesis on the 24th December 2006.

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144 CMN 44C Ex City of Portsmouth 330 UOR 330T. Originally built with Alexander H45/28D body but modified for the Isle of Man to H45/30F 144 is to be restored to look like a Douglas Corporation bus carrying fleet No 20.

Also shown are pictures of 134 CMN 34C Ex City of Portsmouth 320 UOR 320T. Still in as built form Alexander H45/28D. 134 has been recently acquired by a local group for restoration.

134 and Isle of Man buses.

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Sunday 22nd January 2006. Circular tour taking in some of the delights and depots of the Isle of Man. The main aim of the day was to photograph the soon to be demolished Laxey garage which served Isle of man Road services as a Depot from 1928-1969.

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Isle of Man Road Services Tiger Cub WMN 8 seen in storage on the island October 2005. Sadly this vehicle was broken up in February 2006.