For the first time visitors to the Manx Electric Railway will be able to almost guarantee (subject to the usual caveats) a ride on one of the world’s oldest trams still running on their original system with either 1 or 2 set to be diagrammed to operate a return trip between Derby Castle and Ramsey when the main season Timetable D is in use. This is just one of the improvements in the Manx Electric Railway service in 2016 announced by Isle of Man Railways in the release of the timetables on their three systems for this year.
Either 1 or 2 will be diagrammed to operate the 1340 departure from Derby Castle and 1510 return from Ramsey daily during Timetable D allowing any visitor to the Isle of Man outside of the main enthusiast events or on a private hire the chance to enjoy the Manx Electric Railway just as visitors did back in 1893. Timetable D will run 21st-31st May, 11th and 12th June, 16th- 26th July, 1st-23rd August and 3rd and 4th September.
The Manx Heritage Transport Festival will this year take place between Wednesday 27th and Sunday 31st July and in another new innovation for 2016 the most intensive timetable, normally only used during the Isle of Man TT, will be in use throughout this period. Timetable F sees a regular service run – at times during the day a tram leaves every half hour from either end of the line – with the final arrival not getting back to Derby Castle until 2340. This intensive timetable also runs from Wednesday 1st until Friday 10th June. The Snaefell Mountain isn’t to be left out either as they also run Timetable F at the same times which includes some late night trips up and down the mountain.
Services are due to recommence on the Manx Electric Railway from Friday 18th March with the end of the 2016 season scheduled to be Sunday 30th October.
The Isle of Man Railways leaflet also mentions the Douglas Horse Tramway with a simple statement saying that an announcement on the operation is expected to be made before March 2016.
* You can download the leaflet from the Isle of Man Railway website at https://www.gov.im/media/1346550/iomrail_2016_timetable_web.pdf.
1 is seen in the company of trailer 51 during a shunt move at Derby Castle sheds on 14th August 2013. 2016 should see this tram - along with sister 2 - make regular and publicised trips along the length of the MER during operation of timetable D. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)
I hope this means that the horse tram service could well be running.
Or a placebo to make up for the loss – hope I’m wrong.