Ramsey (Plaza) tram station
Ramsey (Plaza) Station Stashoon Tram Rhumsaa | |
|---|---|
| Manx Electric Railway | |
 | |
| Location | Ramsey, Isle Of Man |
| Coordinates | Pole Nos. 1,090-1,094 |
| Owned by | Isle Of Man Heritage Railways |
| Platforms | Two Ground Level |
| Tracks | Running Lines, Sidings & Shed Lines |
| Construction | |
| Structure type | Waiting Room (Incl. Office & Toilets) |
| Parking | Dedicated, In Station |
| Bicycle facilities | Available |
| History | |
| Opened | 1899 |
| Rebuilt | 1964 |
| Previous names | Manx Electric Railway Co., Ltd. |
Ramsey (Plaza) Station serves the town of Ramsey in the Isle of Man; it is the northern terminus of the Manx Electric Railway and gains its name from a nearby building, now demolished and turned into a car park. The railway's literature referred to the station as such for many years, however today it is known simply as Ramsey Tram Station and signage to this effect adorns the front lawn of the station.
Beginnings
The station is in the heart of the town, and originally consisted of a simple lean-to shelter incorporating a booking hall with nearby stalls similar to that seen today at Laxey Station; but the area has been subject to changes over many years. The site was mostly cleared and the station facilities were located within the Plaza Building for some time. Also on the site was a timber construction which located the town's Citizens Advice Bureau for a number of years.
Buildings
Today's terminus building was erected in 1964 and houses the station master's office, a waiting area and passenger toilets. Prior to this the station staff occupied various locations, most notably an office within the now-demolished plaza from which the station gains its name. Directly opposite the passenger area lies the former goods shed which has served a number of purposes in recent years. Used to house goods stock for many years, it was changed into a small museum housing the "Royal Trailer" No. 59 for some years, before being converted to its current use as "The Shed", a youth club. It remains rail connected. Unusually for M.E.R. stations, the traction poles are painted maroon to match the colour scheme of the station; elsewhere on the line they are all painted in the standard deep green colour. At the end of the yard lies the large car shed used to house service cars overnight. This shed was used for a period as another tramway museum and operated by the Isle Of Man Railway Society and housed three tramcars from the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway as well as several other unusual items of rolling stock such as the locomotive and carriage from the tramway that operated on Queen's Pier in the town. Upon closure the exhibits were relocated and the shed returned to its original use.
Route
| Preceding station | Manx Electric Railway | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballastowell | Douglas - Ramsey | Terminus |
References
- Mike Goodwyn (1993). Manx Electric. Platform Five. ISBN 978-1-872524-52-8.
- Keith Pearson (1992). 100 Years Of Manx Electric Railway. Leading Edge. ISBN 0-948135-38-7.
- Robert Hendry (1978). Manx Electric Album. Hillside Publishing. ISBN 0-9505933-0-3.
- Norman Jones (1994). Isle Of Man Tramways. Foxline Publishing. ISBN 1-870119-32-0.
Also
Sources
- Manx Electric Railway Stopping Places (2002) Manx Electric Railway Society
- Island Images: Manx Electric Railway Pages (2003) Jon Wornham
- Official Tourist Department Page (2009) Isle Of Man Heritage Railways
Coordinates: 54°19′14″N 4°22′54″W / 54.32063°N 4.38177°W