2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the Douglas Horse Tramway with preparations already underway to suitability celebrate this key anniversary – and despite doubts over the past few years it has been confirmed that a horse tram service will continue to run along the promenade between May and September. The official announcement that the horse trams would be back in 2016 was confirmed over the last weekend before Christmas which also saw the return of the very popular Santa Trams which ran to full capacity on both days.
The weekend of 19th and 20th December saw Santa arrive on the Isle of Man and set up his grotto within the main horse tram depot at Strathallan whilst special Santa Tram trips ran to the Sea Terminal at back. Originally eight trips on each day were planned but after these quickly sold out an extra trip per day was arranged and these too sold out!
All of the Santa Tram trips were in the hands of illuminated car no. 1 which saw its first passenger use of 2015 over this weekend – but which hopefully means it will be able to play a larger role in the forthcoming 140th anniversary celebrations – with five of the “Trammers” moved back to the Summerhill Stables to provide the horse power (as well as to receive new seasonal names!)
In addition to the trams running and the chance for the kids to meet Santa Claus himself volunteers from the Friends of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway were on hand to serve refreshments and talk to visitors about the 140th anniversary celebrations.
Speaking of 2016 the first horse trams will run on Monday 16th May and the season will continue until Sunday 18th September. A series of events are due to be held over the season to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the line with some due to take place over the weekend of 6th and 7th August. Further details of the special events will be announced as soon as possible.
Santa and some of his helpers wait at Strathallan with no. 1 behind.
1 arrives back at Strathallan.
Two of Santa's elves pose with Blitzen.
Dancer gets set to depart Strathallan with another full load of passengers.
The lights are on as no. 1 arrives back at Strathallan.
An internal view of no. 1 showing the illuminations to good effect.
One last view shows the illuminated no. 1 outside the depot at the end of hard day's work. (All Photographs courtesy of Friends of Douglas Bay Horse Tramway)