ABC WEDNESDAY - Q IS FOR QUEENS PIER

Queens Pier, Ramsey is a post I've written before, but as it's "Q" I thought I would take the opportunity again to highlight a worthy cause, saving Queens pier.

Commissioned by the Isle of Man Harbour Board and constructed by Head Wrightson & Company, this 2241ft (679m) pier opened on 22nd July 1886 by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Costing £45,000 Ramsey Queens Pier and originally designed as a landing point for steamers plying the Liverpool, Fleetwood, Belfast and River Clyde routes.

It comprised of a wooden deck over iron piles, and had a small cafe at the far end. A 3ft (900mm) gauge horse-drawn tramway, that was originally used to transport building materials during construction, ran along the centre and was retained for baggage transport. A new wooden landing stage was added in 1899, along with a covered passenger car on the tramway.

The horse-drawn tramway was motorised in 1937 when the locomotive "Planet" was introduced. Modifications were again made to the tramway in 1950 when a "Wickham" rail car was added. Further track alterations in 1956, gave the line an overall length of 2,080ft (631m). 1956 also saw the redevelopment of the pier entrance.

In subsequent years the Pier has fallen into a state of decline, no longer used as landing port, closed to visitors and declared unsafe. The future of Ramsey Queens Pier remains uncertain.

When I did my previous post about the pier work had just got underway to secure and make it a least safe before it fell itno the sea. The work is still continuing, albeit intermittently. Rumours, suggestions and options are still being considered as to renovate or demolish. As I've said before I do hope it's the former. The approach to Ramsey, from Douglas, just wouldn't be the same without it.

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