The first major event on the Isle of Man’s heritage railways takes place over the Easter weekend (18-21 April 2014).
 
Rush Hour on the Railways is a four day celebration of the heritage railways presenting some unique sights to delight residents, visitors and transport enthusiasts. Alternating between Steam and Electric services, there will an enhanced timetable plus highlights including:
 
•         On Good Friday (18 April), local artist Michael Starkey will be in the museum at the Derby Castle sheds in Douglas to guide people through exhibits. Some of his 8ft by 4ft paintings depicting the heydays of holidays, created to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the MER in 2013, will be on display.
 
•         Easter Saturday (19 April) will feature a nautical goods train departing Douglas Station 11:20.
 
•         Vintage commercial vehicles on display at Castletown Station (also on 19 April).
 
•         Commemorative stamps carried on the Travelling Post Office (TPO) in the steam train (19 April) and on the Manx Electric Railway (20 April). These very limited covers are available in advance by phoning 01624 816302 or at The Tickethall (Douglas Station) or Laxey Station on the day.
 
•         Pie and Mash supper on the Dining Car (19 April) for ?25 per person, departs Douglas 19:00.
 
•         Tours of Derby Castle Yard and the Steam workshop, shed and signal box.
 
•         Manx Electric Railway taster lessons, priced ?20.
 
One of the more unusual events will be the handover of a vintage bus to Isle of Man Transport’s Chief Engineer Peter Maddocks at 16:00 on Easter Monday (21 April). The Leyland Titan PD3/6 has been lovingly restored by the Manx Transport Trust team at Jurby Transport Museum. It will undergo interior refurbishment at IoM Transport’s headquarters in Douglas before returning to service as part of the heritage fleet.
 
Full details of all events can be obtained in the Rush Hour on the Railways leaflet available from rail stations, the Welcome Centre and online at: www.iombusandrail.info.
 
Tickets for all Rush Hour events are available now tel: 01624 697457.
 
•         Any photographs taken at the Rush Hour event are welcome to be entered into IoM Railways’ photographic competition. The deadline for entries has been brought forward to 30 April – to enable early production of a 2015 calendar, in response to customer demand.
 
For competition details and the full list of forthcoming IoM Railways events, including Summit Dining and Dining Car services go to www.iombusandrail.info.