The last remaining working example of a mercury arc rectifier will be on display to railway enthusiasts tomorrow (Friday).
The Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway get their electricity supply from six substations, which convert the electricity to 550v DC that the tramcars need to operate.
Each substation was fitted with a mercury arc rectifier (MAR) to convert the electricity to 550v DC. Following the failure of the MAR at Groudle last winter, Laxey is the last working example on the island although power is now supplied to the electric railway via a replacement substation provided at Laxey last winter.
The mercury arc rectifier at Laxey’s former MER substation will be demonstrated during this week’s Manx Heritage Transport Festival. The doors of the substation, on Rencell Hill behind the Queen’s public house, will be open on Friday from 11am to 3pm.
