North West - Isle Of Man

Back
GROUDLE GLEN RAILWAY

26 Cronkbourne Road,
Douglas
IM2 3LB
t: 01624 670453
Contact: Alex Brindley
e: ggr@ggr.org.uk
w: www.ggr.org.uk/

'The line that goes uphill to the sea' The Groudle Glen Railway is an Isle of Man Registered charity which is owned and operated entirely by volunteers . It is a true narrow gauge railway, originally built in 1896, to cater for a holiday population whose ideals were short walks and the taking of bracing sea airs.


The line runs through a secluded glen on the Isle of Man out to the cliff tops where originally in Victorian times there was a zoo containing Sea Lions and Polar Bears. The line was built to serve this zoo, and two steam locomotives Sea Lion (1896) and Polar Bear (1905) were ordered from Bagnalls in Stafford to run the line. The continued to operate in various guises until 1962, at which point the buildings were run down, the track in a poor state and only one steam engine was serviceable, so it fell into disrepair.

The first section of the line was re-opened for public passenger trains in 1986, following a rebuilding project by BNFL at Sellafield, Sea Lion of 1896 returned to service in 1987. Train services were extended to the original terminus at Sea Lion Rocks in 1992. Trains now run from Lhen Coan to the rebuilt station building at Sea Lion Rocks, where light refreshments are available.
 
A variety of trains operate during the year. Steam locomotives Sea Lion and Annie, diesel locomotives Dolphin and Walrus, and battery operated Polar Bear are operational, with a project currently underway to build a new steam locomotive Brown Bear (a replica of the 1905 Polar Bear).
 
Trains run on Sundays from May to September, on Wednesday evenings during July and August. In addition there are Special events such as the Santa Specials, Mince Pie Trains, Cliff Top Concerts and the Easter Bunny Trains, along with the chance to join the Friends of Groudle Glen Railway organisation.
 
What else is in the area?

The Manx Electric Railway, The Great Laxey Mine Railway. The Great Laxey Wheel and Mine Trail, The Douglas Bay Horse tramway, The Isle of Man Steam Railway, The Snaefell Mountain Railway, The Manx Museum, The House of Manannan, The Curraghs Wildlife Park, The Gaiety Theatre, The National Sports Centre.