A three year project to restore the antiquated Manx Electric Railway (MER) mail van no.16 is now complete, and the mail van was put back on track after 40 years in its new olive green livery at its re-launch in Laxey, following extensive restoration works. In 2012 Isle of Man Post Office Sponsorship Committee was approached by Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust regarding sponsorship of the mail vans restoration which it happily accepted, the hard work now coming to fruition.
For some 70 years, until 1975, the MER carried bagged mail between Douglas and Ramsey in the special four wheeled mail vans. A unique feature of the service was that the MER conductors were also enrolled as postmen to collect mail from post boxes, located at a number of the small stations and halts along the line.
The unveiling of newly restored mail van no.16 took place at Laxey Station at 11.55am on Friday July 31st, following its return journey from Ramsey. The mail van was coupled with the MER tram and performed a special postal service between Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey before returning to Laxey for the official re-launch. Guests were invited to partake in its inaugural journey from Laxey to Ramsey and back. Once the train pulling the mail van had arrived back in Laxey, passengers then joined a crowd of enthusiasts and dignitaries to see the no.16 be positioned alongside another recently restored mobile sorting mail van. Special covers had been carried on the journey and were then given to each of the guests, and speeches by key representatives of the project were enjoyed.
Andrew Scarffe of the Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust said: "We are very pleased indeed that Isle of Man Post Office agreed to be the main sponsor of this project. The Post Office has had close connections with the Manx Electric Railway since shortly after the line was opened and it is very fitting indeed that this connection has once again been re-established. Their sponsorship gave us the confidence that the restoration project could be completed and this has been ably demonstrated today with the completion of the restoration of mail van no.16 which last ran some 40 years ago."
Sarah Read, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office Sponsorship Committee said: "We've be delighted to have been involved with this project which is intrinsically linked to the Post Office and its rich local heritage. The vehicle looks fantastic and the craftsmanship is admirable, it really is a delight to see and I urge anyone interested in local transport history to visit Laxey, where it will be on display from September in the Blacksmiths Yard. The Isle of Man has a strong appreciation for its own culture and it's great that the Post Office can support its community in this way."
The Sponsorship Committee aims to support a variety of local initiatives throughout the year and is always keen to hear from individuals and organisations looking for support which it may be able to help with.
Pictured (left to right) in front of restored mail van no.16 is Maxine Cannon Isle of Man Post Office Stamps and Coins General Manager, volunteers involved in the restoration Liam Miller, Andrew Scarffe and Paul Marshall along with Isle of Man Post Office Chief Executive Mike Kelly.
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