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Polar Bear Rebuild Continues
Mar 20, 2021
Polar Bear will return to service in 2021
Despite the ongoing COVID situation which is affecting both the UK and here on the Isle of Man we are pleased to report that work has continued with the rebuilding of our Battery Electric locomotive Polar Bear.
She was shipped to the UK in July 2020 for mechanical overhaul at John Fowler & Sons in Cumbria which saw a new braking system installed and a full mechanical overhaul of the gearbox. Following this she has received an electrical service prior to a full strip down and repaint.
She is now awaiting restrictions to be relaxed to allow her to return to the Isle of Man.
Polar Bear is a replica B.E.V. (British Electric Vehicles) locomotive of the ones used at Groudle in the 1920s. She was rebuilt from a donor locomotive by Alan Keefe Ltd in 2002 and has operated successfully at Groudle ever since.
The volunteers would like to thank the Trustees of the Elizabeth Clucas Trust for their generous support in financing this locomotive's overhaul.
For the second year running families turned out in their hundreds to enjoy the family friendly spooky atmosphere at Groudle over the weekend. Sea Lion & Otter were in service hauling busy trains from Broomstick Halt where passengers had been met by Mr Pumpkin, a spooky trip through the glen passing some of our cheerful ghoulish friends then arriving at Witches Hollow. As well as the warm and spooktacular atmosphere, families visited Jinny the Witch in her lair to receive a frightfully fun gift, enjoyed sweets from her friends and refreshments including hot chocolate with cream and marsh mellows and spooky doughnuts! Our thanks to not only everyone who visited us, but also the volunteers who helped make the event so special and for the support of Bus Vannin for the provision of the shuttle bus to the railway. Next stop....CHRISTMAS!
The weather eventually played ball for our September Steam Gala as the day started damp and overcast, but by midday the sun was thankfully shining and the railway was very busy with all three steam locomotives in service with two trains passing at the headland loop. Visitors relished the opportunity to see all three locomotives; Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter in service together all day operating an intensive service. Sunday services now continuing into October. Our next special event is the Hop Tu Naa Trains at the end of October which is booking only. Tickets available online.
We are lost for words for just how well received our Cliff Top Concerts event was this year. Considering 2024 has not been the best of summers on the Isle of Man weather wise, the sun certainly shone on Groudle for this year's event. It was a day of wall to wall sunshine and people flocked to the cliff tops at Sea Lion Rocks to enjoy the free concerts from some of the island's most talented musicians. This year they were treated to performances from Callum Rowe, Mine's a Shanty, Biskee Brisht, The Reveilettes and our traditional finale group; The Shenannigans Band. A three coach shuttle service was operated with Sea Lion and Brown Bear topping and tailing the service all day.
