This trip was taken on the Manx Electric Railway which was built between 1893 and 1899,. It is still in regular use to-day with its original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock along some of the most scenic stretches of railway in the British Isles.
http://manxelectricrailway.co.uk
We left Ramsey station just after 11am. The weather was really good and we had fabulous views all along the coast. About 45 minutes later we arrived at Laxey Station. Laxey is the home of the Lady Isabella which is the worlds largest working water wheel. 72 1/2 ft. (22.1 m) diameter and 6 ft. (1.83 m) wide she revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laxey_Wheel
The wheel was built in 1854 to pump water from The Great Laxey Mine. http://www.manxmines.com/LAXEYMINE.htm
This mine produced a large quantity of lead and zinc ore along with some silver. Mining ceased many years ago and the whole area is now highly scenic and attracts many tourists. We had lunch near another smaller wheel called the Lady Evelyn, and then went to get the tram up to the summit of Snaefell 2036 ft. (621m). A walking festival meant that the tram was full but it was only a 15 minute wait for the next one.
The steep climb up to the summit is five miles long and takes 30 minutes. Once at the top you can see seven kingdoms. They are the kingdoms of Mann (Isle of), England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Neptune (sea) and Heaven. These were all to be seen but unfortunately may not show on my photos. Come and see for yourself.
After a short while on the summit we caught the next tram back down to Laxey. We all agreed we needed further sustenance so a trip to the tea shop was called for tea and cakes. This was in the same building as Laxey Mills which are the last woollen mills on the island using hand operated looms.
http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/index.htm
A short walk back to the tram station and a few minutes wait for the tram back to Ramsey.
The 50 foot (15.24m) diameter wheel was purchased by the Snaefell Mining Company in 1865. In 1910, the wheel was disassembled and sent Cornwall.
In 2003 the wheel returned to the Island and on 20 August 2006, the wheel had its official reopening ceremony and began turning for the first time in decades.
Home made cakes on display at the Weavers Tea Room at Laxey. I can vouch that these are really good, although I have not tried all of them - yet! The tea room is above the Laxey Woolen Mills that still makes woolen fabric with traditional hand looms.
http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/index.htm
Taken from inside the Snaefell Mountain tramcar on the way up the mountain this shows the row of old miners cottages that became known as Ham and Egg Terrace. This was due to the many cottages that sold teas and meals, many years ago, to the many thousands of tourists that had come to see the world famous Laxey Wheel that is visable in the background.
The largest working water wheel in the world is the Laxey Wheel (aka Lady Isabella) in the village of Laxey, Isle of Man. It is 72 feet 6 inches (22.10 m) in diameter and 6 feet (1.83 m) wide.
Clagh Ouyr (551m) and North Barrule 1810 feet (565m). All the hill land seen in these photos is accessible for walking as it owned by the Isle of Man Government.
Part of the famous motorcycle Tourist Trophy (T.T.) course can be seen here. This part of the course is known as The Verrandha, Bungalow, Hailwoods Heights. The 37 and 3/4 mile lap course was first used in 1911 and is still used to-day. http://www.iomtt.com/
Showing the inside of one of the original tramcars still used daily during the season. Not bad as it started in 1895. This was taken before the majority of the passengers got on.
The next few pictures show the area that was used as the washing floors that processed the zinc and lead ore from the Laxey Mine. http://www.manxmines.com/LAXEYMINE.htm
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