Railways and Tramways
Back in the late nineteenth century, the Isle of Man enjoyed an unprecedented tourist boom. As holidaymakers poured off the Steam Packet's boats, a remarkable system of railways and tramways started to develop to carry the visitors to places of interest. Some of the railways are now no more than memories but some still remain virtually unchanged.
Railway enthusiasts come from all over the world to admire the Island's
unique transport infrastructure which includes the Victorian Steam Railway.
This 3 foot gauge line runs the 15½ miles from Douglas to Port
Erin in the south of the Island and was part of a network that was originally
opened in 1874. The carefully preserved Beyer Peacock engines run through
some of the most beautiful Manx countryside.
The
Edwardian Manx Electric Railway is the longest electric railway in the
British Isles. Opened in 1893, the 3-foot gauge line runs the 17¾ miles
from Douglas northwards to Ramsey and follows the dramatic eastern coastline
for much of its journey. In the old mining town of Laxey which is approximately
the half way point, the Manx Electric Railway joins the 3 foot 6 inch
gauge Snaefell Mountain Railway which starts its 1 in 12 climb to the
summit of Snaefell, the Island's highest mountain.
The Douglas Horse Tramway is a popular feature of the capital's Promenade
and is the last remaining horse tramway system in the British Isles
Opened
in 1876, it still operates on the 1.6-mile long track between Douglas
Sea Terminal at the southern end of Douglas Promenade and Derbycastle
located at the northern end. The horse trams only run in the summer season
and the horses that work them are kept in stables at the foot of Summerhill.
In the winter they are put out to graze in reserved fields.
Together the steam, electric and horse powered railways of the Isle of Man are a huge attraction to visitors and railway enthusiasts alike. They each present the unique opportunity to travel back in time.
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