Hill-man in the Cliff Traditional Cache
Caaghyr's Crew: Time for this to go, the container and the niche it sat in have gone, victims of the last winter no doubt.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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A micro, near the road, but up from it. Trainers or boots suggested, not slippery town shoes.
About 15 feet/5metres up.
Hill-man has been enjoying a short break in Douglas, having taken the train from Ballabeg. Whilst in railway mode he walked up Head Road to investigate the Douglas Southern Electric Tramway. Those who have followed his sad saga in chronological order, (or who know Manx tramway history) will guess what comes next. Yes , more disappointment, it is long gone, leaving only the fine arches at the Douglas end of Marine Drive and what is now a dog-fouled parking area/picnic site at Pidgeon Stream. This was the power station and engineers base, later electricity was purchased from Douglas Corporation.
Another of the ambitious schemes built by the late Victorians, this tramway was built to the Standard Gauge, of 4ft 8 and a half inches, rather than the usual Manx standard of 3ft. Electric traction was employed, overhead transmission, single track with passing places. The line ran from the Douglas Head to a terminus above Port Soderick, it was once proposed to extend it round to the Nunnery, but this idea never took off. Lifts were built near both ends of the tramway, from Douglas harbour and Port Soderick beach, the latter being owned by a separate company from the tramway. The tramway closed in 1939, being effectively killed-off by the cost of re-opening after wartime damage and neglect. The rails were removed, the route eventually being metaled, and has been intermittantly opened and closed ever since. Various schemes to reopen the road permanently to vehicles having been dropped on the grounds of cost, the route is now a very pleasant walkway, unfortunately much frequented by dog walkers who fail to clean-up after their animals.
Those seeking further information are recommended to try F.K.Pearson's 'Isle of Man Tramways', published by David & Charles, also 'By Whing To Port Soderick' by George Hobbs, published by Loaghtyn Books.
Hill-man recommends parking at either end of Marine Drive for a good walk in fine weather, the east end of the closed section gives the shortest stroll for those in a rush. The cache is not advised in frosty conditions, there is a short rock climb involved. You are looking for a black "Bison" canister some metres west of a face which has been painted onto the rock-face, hence the cache name. Take care!
Note added July 2017, the face has almost faded away now, if it goes completely the cache will become pointless and thus be renamed or archived. I need to pay another visit!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobhg 15 srrg hc.
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