Snaefell Mountain Railway Tram destroyed in accident.

[Trainfan344]

Very sad news from the Snaefell mountain railway today:

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pictures-runaway-mountain-tram-crash-drama-1-7824668

Tramcar number 3 had been parked just short of the summit station this afternoon when it ran away out of control and crashed north of Bungalow station.

Fortunately there were no passengers or staff were on board - and the tram did not reach the Bungalow road crossing.

The vintage tramcar has been completely destroyed.

Services on the line, which only resumed on March 18, have been suspended.

 

[jopsuk]

wow, that really is "destroyed". Very sad.

 

[kevin5025]

This is sad. These are original tram cars, on probably one of the most complete historic railways in exisitance. Thankfully no one was hurt, but a very sad day for our railway heritage.

 

[crispy1978]

Yeah, very sad news for the heritage. Thankfully no-one was hurt.

 

[BestWestern]

Elements of it may be salvageable as a long-term restoration project, I suppose... Are they steel undeframes?

 

[theblackwatch]

Elements of it may be salvageable as a long-term restoration project, I suppose... Are they steel undeframes?

The Trams Today page on Facebook is suggesting that enough remains of the vehicle for it to be reconstructed.

 

[BestWestern]

That's good news

 

[randyrippley]

The Mountain Railway has prior art in rebuilding these cars: in 1970 Car #5 was given a completely new body by a local coachbuilder following a fire which left just the bogies and subframe. At the time it was a useful way of relearning - and handing on - old skills which had nearly been lost. This is another chance to do the same, though hopefully this time they'll use regenerative braking, not rheostatic on the "new" car

 

[philthetube]

Is there any further news as to what is happening with the tram?

 

[Cowley]

Is there any further news as to what is happening with the tram?

I'm not sure what's going on with the tram but having read some of the comments under the newspaper piece in the original post it makes this forum look very calm and measured

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'm not sure what's going on with the tram but having read some of the comments under the newspaper piece in the original post it makes this forum look very calm and measured

Yes, a few personal agendas being expressed there, I think!

 

[507021]

Is there any further news as to what is happening with the tram?

Car 3 will be rebuilt.

 

[Owen T]

I remember travelling on one of these as a kid, good to hear its being rebuilt...