Monday 19th June 2023
Continuing this special daily blog series on the variety of modes run by Isle of Man Transport brings us to the Manx Electric Railway. It’s the “oldest electric tram line in the world whose original rolling stock is still in service”. And it’s a double celebration this year as while the Steam Railway featured in yesterday’s blog is 150 years old this year, the Manx Electric Tram is marking its 130th anniversary. There’s a special event over the last weekend of July of which more in Friday’s blog.
The Manx Electric Railway is a 17 mile, three foot gauge tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey.
Connections are made at the Derby Castle terminus on the seafront promenade in Douglas (about one and a half miles north from the town centre) with the Horse Tramway and at Laxey with the Snaefell Mountain Railway which both feature in upcoming blogs.
The Isle of Man Government has invested significant sums in recent decades keeping the infrastructure serviceable. Back in 2008 the line was closed north of Laxey following a report exposing critical failings in the permanent way. It fully reopened the following year following extensive repair work.
The line runs alongside the main A2 road for the first few miles north from Douglas before using its own segregated track for most of the route to Ramsey utilising quite a few level crossings as it criss crosses the A2 further along the route.
Electrification comes from 550 volts overhead lines with trolley poles from the motor cars which often carry open sided trailers to increase capacity.
Like the Steam Railway, the timetable is seasonal running from mid March to the end of October with four timetables as the season progresses stepping up from six return journeys through eight/ten to 19 during TT fortnight and the last week of July when the 130th Anniversary specials will be operating.
The timetable includes nine intermediate timing points but there are many bus stops along the route which occasionally do bring forth a passenger…
…the driver certainly has to keep a keen eye out for anyone waiting amidst the trees and bushes (as above). Wearing a high viz helps (as below).
What really makes this line unique is that the original rolling stock is still in use.
This obviously poses challenges for those with accessibility needs but everyone provides help and assistance to ensure tots in buggies and those unsteady on their feet are carried.
The end to end journey takes 75 minutes and the timetable also includes some short workings between Douglas and Laxey.
It’s well worth taking a ride at least one way on this unique transport and experience travel conditions that haven’t changed in 130 years.
There are some splendid views of the coastline to behold …
… including some quite steep drops down the cliffs by the track edge…
… as well as watching the track ahead and the driver in action.
If you’re in a hurry and want to keep warm I recommend taking bus route 3 between Douglas and Ramsey but if you want a great 75 minute nostalgic ride on a tram with some fantastic views then this is a must do experience.
More tram riding in tomorrow’s blog as we go up a mountain.
Roger French
Blogging timetable: 06:00 TThS but it’s daily for this special Isle of Man Transport Week.
BusAndTrainUser 
Some cracking scenery (always better with the right weather). Visiting IOM has been on the “to do” list for some time and you’re only making me more jealous with every post.
One query though. The accessibility is raised as an issue and we do see a photo of a gent in a wheelchair but I’m still intrigued to know how they did indeed access in the absence of any visible ramp or platform.
Also, and accept this may be outside the realm of Roger’s legal knowledge, but wonder if there is any DDA equivalent in Manx law and/or does the tram system have some sort of derogation from it?
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There is a fully enclosed accessible saloon trailer with lift.
https://images.app.goo.gl/e2zrFzpjQZesewbU7
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I wonder how Lisbon trams manage? – after all, Portugal is in the EU! The 4-wheelers, although rebuilt in the late 1980s (I think), retain much older bodies with high platforms and a step although the newer articulated ones are better. https://tinyurl.com/4yz223yd
Interestingly, moving to Lisbon in 1978 I was amazed to find 1906 bogie tramcars with clerestory roofs still in regular (non-tourist) service. Some continued will into the 1990s!
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You can say the same for Porto and Milan – might have to rename the blog Bus, Train and Light Rail User!
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I believe that Disability Access Legislation is a national matter, not related to the EU etc either in detail or scope. The UK has always had some of the best (at least from the disabled passengers perspective) accessibility regs in Europe, something that caught out Flixbus when they started and were using non-PSVAR coaches and expecting passengers to pre-book a wheelchair space days before departure when able bodied passengers could book on the day which is not allowed. With the IoM not technically being part of the UK (similarly to the Chanel Islands) it may be that they are not under UK PSVAR regs either.
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I think that the Isle of Man tram might,or did, have some out of season winter running too?
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No longer, it seems from looking at the timetable.
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It did, but not now. A few Christmas seasonal offerings are sometimes available.
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The Manx Electric does a driver experience course that may be of interest. I’ve not done it, but doing a similar session at Seaton Tramway in 1995 led me to become a volunteer tram driver there for several years.
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Did a driver experience on the MER a couple of year’s back – very enjoyable.
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