The Isle of Man Victorian Society has thrown its full weight behind the reinstatement of horse tram tracks to the Sea Terminal, citing a dramatic drop in passenger numbers since the line was truncated.
In the society’s latest newsletter, published as it celebrates its own golden jubilee year, spokesman Peter Kelly endorsed historian Charles Guard’s recent video appeal.
Mr Kelly reiterated Mr Guard’s figures showing that in the last year the trams ran the full distance of the promenade, they carried 78,000 passengers, but with the current terminus at Broadway, numbers have fallen to approximately 45,000 per season .
The newsletter recalls previous milestone celebrations, including the 80th anniversary in 1956 when Douglas Corporation invited Olympic horsewoman Pat Smythe to lead festivities.
The society said Miss Moore “lead the parade of all the trams and horses from the side of the Sea Terminal by driving the first tram to Derby Castle with the Mayor and Mrs Watterson on the top deck of the only original double decker tram known to be still in existence”.
The tram was brought from London’s Science Museum and now features in the Manx Museum’s Victorian display.
Reaffirm
Looking ahead to the 150th anniversary this year, Mr Kelly encourages politicians to reaffirm their commitment to reinstating the full line.
Recognising the tracks cannot be completed by the anniversary date, he offers a symbolic alternative.
Mr Kelly points to June 7 1876, when Thomas Lightfoot, the tramway’s promoter, held a ceremony on the promenade near The Crescent.
Mr Lightfoot invited AW Adams, the advocate and MHK who guided the Tramway Bill through Tynwald, to cut the first sod.
Mr Kelly suggests that on June 7 this year, “the first sod could be cut on the grass swathe on Loch Promenade in advance of work starting on the final stretch of track,” though he stops short of suggesting who should wield the spade.