Major increase in passenger numbers in Douglas

It has been confirmed that the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway enjoyed a successful season with a 42.7% increase in passenger numbers in comparison to the 2015 season. The operating season in 2016 may have been longer than it has been for several years but even taking this into consideration the takeover of operation by Isle of Man Railways has been a huge success.

In total 69, 542 passengers were carried with revenue increasing to £83,000 – an increase of 44%. This is in comparison to the 48, 722 passengers carried in 2015. Revenue has increased by £30,000 which leaves an operating deficit of £60,000 as per the target and much improved on the costs incurred by Douglas Borough Council.

Looking ahead and 2017 will see an even longer operating season with the trammers set to head back to Douglas Prom from Saturday 8th April with the trams running all the way through until Sunday 5th November. It is again expected that trams will not run every day particularly at the start and end of the season but the full timetable will be released by Isle of Man Railways in the New Year.

Meanwhile the Friends of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway have revealed that Una – a 21 year old mare – has been retired from her active life and moved to the Home for Retired Horses where she joins John who also recently made the trip.

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5 Responses to Major increase in passenger numbers in Douglas

  1. David Blake says:

    A major achievement for the delightful horse tramway on which everyone involved is to be congratulated and hopefully a step towards it becoming the long term iconic tourist attraction that it deserves to be. This year has been an amazing year for all those who have had the opportunity to visit and observe its progress and I just hope it is ultimately given a long term future.

    I feel that Blackpool’s own heritage trams are on a similar journey and San Francisco – as also recently featured on your website – would appear to be the shining example of how a unique tramway can become a world class attraction.

    Reading of Una’s retirement at Douglas means that my wife and I had the pleasure of riding behind her on her last journey in service, on Sunday 30 October. I was originally told that she would not be out that day but she appeared at Strathallan Crescent around lunchtime and took over for her now customary one round trip. She must have relieved one of this year’s new horses and I think it was Torrin, as they have now been trained to commence and end their duties at the Derby Castle terminus rather than the existing stables. The tram may have been toastrack no 43. Una ended her own duty in time-honoured fashion at the stables so didn’t quite do a full round trip herself!

    I knew she was an older horse and was interested to get a ride behind her after reading in David Voice’s book ‘The Age of the Horse Tram’ (Adam Gordon, 2009) that horses used in hauling tramcars – ‘trammers’ in Douglas parlance – were apparently always mares, of which Una has recently been Douglas’s only remaining example.

    I have also noticed in Harry Constantine’s booklet about Douglas Corporation Horse Trams which I bought on my first visit to the island in 1976, that the horses then specially selected for the tramway’s evening services – which have long been a thing of the past until being slightly revived on occasions this season – included many mares at that time. I am interested if there was any reason why this was so.

    I have also learned from Mr Voice’s book that the breed of horses used for trams and other forms of road transport was historically generally the Hackney which was a somewhat smaller and lighter breed than the horses we see at Douglas nowadays, and according to another source I have read, they had the characteristic of moving at a trot. Hence the name ‘Hackney Carriage’ incidentally, which continues as a description of a road passenger carriage to this day. Coincidentally in my work at the Lancashire Archives this week I came across an old pamphlet which appeared to indicate that a farm in the Fylde (Blackpool’s hinterland) bred Hackneys and advertised them for sale. Many thousands of them would have been needed at the height of the horse tram era, not to mention other forms of transport.

    The young lady at the Douglas stables tells me that the Hackney is now classed as a rare breed.

    I am now wondering what breed(s) of horses are used to pull the many landau carriages we see on Blackpool promenade these days, which are noticeably smaller than the Douglas ‘trammers’. Our visits to Douglas and particularly the tramway stables have opened up a whole new world!

    I am just glad that the efforts of so many people have enabled the Douglas horse tramway to survive to be enjoyed in so much of its glory this unforgettable 140th anniversary season. Roll on the 141st!!! And once again, our deep appreciation to everyone concerned.

  2. Ken Walker says:

    It just shows what Douglas Corporation could have achieved if they could have been bothered to make an effort, instead they just did everything they could to get rid of it. Well done to the new management team and let’s hope for an even better season and balance sheet next year.

  3. Joginder Singh says:

    I will believe the Douglas Horse Tramway is finally out out of the woods when all threats have gone and the furure of the tramway is secure untill then keep supporting and keep riding

  4. John Gilbert says:

    I agree with Mr Singh’s comment. Now that the need for the street tramway in Douglas has been proved, let it be relaid when required, BUT EXACTLY WHERE IT IS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROMENADE, not stuck over on the outer side to experience all the worst of any bad weather for goodness’ sake.

  5. Alastair Maxwell says:

    I returned to the Isle of Man for the first time in 20 years. I had heard about the threat to the horse teams by listening to Manx Radio. I purchase a 5 day Explorer ticket and made good use of it.

    I used the horse trams everyday as a method of getting along the promenade to the Electric Railway, buses and Steam Railway, instead of a taxi as I get short of breath very quickly.

    An excellent service and very helpful conductors.

    I wish it all the best for the future and hopefully I will be back next summer.

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