The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure is pleased to announce that the Steam Railway will start its 2012 service on Friday 24th February, nearly three weeks earlier than last year.
 
Departures from Douglas to Port Erin are at: 09:50, 11:50, 13:50 and 15:50, with return trips leaving at: 10:50, 12:50, 14:50 and 16:50.
 
Tickets are available on the day from Douglas, Ballasalla, Castletown, Port St Mary and Port Erin stations. Residents’ season tickets allow unlimited free travel on all scheduled services on the Steam, Manx Electric and Snaefell Mountain Railway for the 2012 operational season and continue to offer great value for money at ?55 per adult and ?27.50 per child.
 
If you have a Resident’s Rail Card for the 2012 season, you can travel on all three railways at half price and be entitled to a discount on a special event ticket of your choice. Rail cards are priced at ?11 per adult and come with a ?5 discount voucher for special events. The child’s rail card is priced at ?5.50 and comes with a ?2.50 voucher. So, not only could you travel half price all through the season, the upcoming Harry Potter themed Wizard’s Express event could cost you just ?11 and ?5.50 for an adult and child ticket.
 
Residents' Rail Cards and Residents' Season Tickets are available from the Isle of Man Welcome Centre. A passport sized photograph will be required for each applicant.
 
Last chance to name the new Station Master Cat Mascot
 
To celebrate the launch of the 2012 season, Isle of Man Railways needs your help to name their brand new Station Master Cat Mascot. The Mascot will be present at family events such as the Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Family Fun Weekend, entertaining the next generation of Heritage Railway fans.
 
Please submit your name suggestions to heritagerailways@gov.im, giving your name, date of birth and contact details.
 
The winning name will win their choice of either:
2 x Resident Tickets or 2 x 7 day Explorer Tickets
 
The deadline for submitting suggestion is 5pm on Thursday 23rd February 2012. The winner will be contacted on Friday 24th February.
 
Good luck!
 
-ENDS-