A new exhibition at Rushen Heritage Centre celebrates milestone anniversary of 150 years of the Isle of Man Steam Railway reaching Port Erin.
The double-header exhibition also features another eight past and present local Manx Grand Prix competitors.
It is on display at the Heritage Centre in Bridson Street, Port Erin, until August 24.
Double Header Exhibition
The exhibition has been curated by Ali and Robert Graham from Rushen Heritage Trust, which runs the Centre.
Ali explained: “In the build-up to last year’s Manx Grand Prix, we featured a small group of local riders, but there were so many more that we wanted to include.
“When planning this year’s season of exhibitions, it was an obvious choice to revisit the MGP and look back at those who weren’t featured last year, which include Tony Duncan, Derek Ennett, Dan Sayle, Nigel Beattie, and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle – holder of a BEM now, of course!”
Ali Graham, Rushen Heritage Trust
“We are pleased to have as the centrepiece for the exhibition, a Honda K4 350, and are grateful to Bob Simmons once again for loaning this to us, which is still being raced in Classics.
“Thanks again to Barry Wood for the loan of his personal replicas and memorabilia and the riders who took the time to provide information and interesting memories.”
Steam Railway
While last year was the 150th anniversary of the Isle of Man Steam Railway, Rushen Heritage Trust wanted to celebrate that 2024 marks 150 years of the line being extended to Port Erin.
Ali says this ‘played a major role in transforming the village into the tourist destination it became’.
She added: “There are some wonderful old photographs to view and many fascinating stories to discover in both aspects of our exhibition.
We also have the loan of a small model of the No. 16 locomotive Mannin, which was built in 1926 and was the most powerful 2-4-0T locomotive on the line.”
Rushen Heritage Trust, which is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, would like to thank Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust for its support towards this season’s exhibitions.
The Rushen Heritage Centre is open 10am until 4pm Tuesday through to Saturday.
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