Snaefell Mountain Railway

The Snaefell Mountain Railway is an electric mountain railway and runs from Laxey to the summit of Snaefell on the Isle of Man.

History

The Snaefell Mountain Railway, the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles and one of the last remaining tracks with a track width of 1067 mm ( Cape gauge ) in Europe. The five -mile line is adventurous traced out, with gradients of 1% will handle up to 12%. Electrified, the web 550 volts DC. A special feature is the central rail used as a brake rail after the fur system.

The track was established in 1895 and is today operated by the Isle of Man Transport, an operation of the Government of the Isle of Man. Since the track width of the other tracks on the Isle of Man is different, the vehicle can not be replaced with these.

Immediately after the exit in Laxey offers the web a beautiful view of the Great Laxey Wheel. At the intermediate stop of the Snaefell Mountain Course Bungalow crosses on which are the race around the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix to be held, the railway line. In the immediate vicinity there is a memorial for the 26- times TT winner Joey Dunlop. Previously there was a motorcycle museum. After some years ago, asbestos was found in the building, but it had to be closed. The owner, Peter Murray, has opened a new museum in Santon.