The Island’s transport heritage is taking centre stage this week as Isle of Man Railways and Bus Vannin open the Manx Heritage Transport Festival.
It is a six‑day celebration featuring rare rolling stock, historic vehicles, guided tours, evening specials and milestone anniversaries across the Island’s unique network of railways and tramways.
This year’s festival marks two major landmarks: 150 years of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, first opened in 1876, and 50 years since the formation of National Transport, the organisation that unified Douglas Corporation Transport and Isle of Man Road Services in 1976. Both anniversaries are being honoured with special events, cavalcades and heritage vehicle appearances throughout the week.
The programme is extensive, stretching across the Manx Electric Railway, Steam Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Groudle Glen Railway and Great Laxey Mine Railway. It includes unusual combinations, parallel runs, depot tours, photography specials and guided walks that explore long‑lost routes and historic infrastructure.
Horsepower
One of the standout attractions is the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway Evening Service, offering rare twilight journeys between Strathallan and Broadway. The official programme states: “The tram will depart from Strathallan at 18:45, 19:25, 20:05 & 20:45.” The return trips from Broadway run at 19:05, 19:45, 20:25 and 21:05, giving enthusiasts a chance to experience the tramway in a way normally unavailable during the season.
Electric
Railway fans are also treated to a series of Manx Electric Railway parallel runs, including the early‑morning spectacle between Derby Castle and Groudle. Organisers say there will be a “Parallel run using Car No.32 and Car No.16 departs Derby Castle at 08:50.” Additional parallel runs and special workings continue throughout the week, with winter saloons, Edwardian trailers, crossbench cars and historic motor cars appearing in combinations rarely seen in regular service.
Behind‑the‑scenes access is a major theme this year. Visitors can step inside the Strathallan Tram Sheds, tour the Derby Castle MER workshops, explore the Snaefell Mountain Railway sheds, and visit the Steam Railway’s workshops, running shed and signal box. These tours offer a rare look at the engineering and maintenance behind the Island’s heritage fleet.
Guided Walks
The festival also revives long‑lost routes. A guided walk along Marine Drive marks the 130th anniversary of the Douglas Southern Electric Tramway, complete with an appearance by the ex‑Douglas Corporation AEC Regent V to recreate the historic bus route that once served the cliffs. Additional walks explore the Upper Douglas Cable Tramway and the history of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway.
Saturday delivers the festival’s biggest public spectacle: a six‑tram horse cavalcade along Douglas Promenade to celebrate the tramway’s 150th anniversary, followed by a major bus cavalcade marking 50 years of nationalised bus services. Historic vehicles from Jurby Transport Museum will join modern fleet members, including heritage‑liveried buses No.315 and No.316. Free heritage shuttle loops will run throughout the afternoon.
Groudle & Jurby Involved
The final day brings an intensive MER timetable, a full horse tramway depot display, four steam locomotives at Groudle, and the annual running day at Jurby Transport Museum, complete with heritage buses connecting with MER arrivals at Ramsey.
With dozens of events across the week, the Manx Heritage Transport Festival is one of the most ambitious celebrations of Manx transport heritage ever staged. It’s billed to be a showcase of the Island’s engineering past, its surviving Victorian and Edwardian infrastructure, and the volunteers and staff who keep these historic systems alive.
For full daily timetables and event listings, visit the official festival website: rail.im.
