The amount of investment which has gone towards the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway since it became part of Isle of Man Railways looks set to see no sign of reducing with the news that Toastrack 42 is now to undergo restoration – the fourth tram to receive major attention over the past couple of years.
As we have seen 36 has already undergone attention, mainly at the MER Derby Castle workshops, with the tram returning to action on the final day of the 2017 season and in turn scooping the British Trams Online Tram (Traditional) of the Year. This was the first tram to receive this major attention but it won’t be the least! 45 is also currently at Derby Castle where more high quality restoration work is continuing whilst Saloon 27 is also being restored on the island.
42 will now become the first Toastrack to be restored under the new management and it is expected to be moved the short distance from Strathallan Depot to Derby Castle for work to commence. 42 was built in 1905 by G C Milnes, Voss & Co in 1905 before being extended in 1938 to give it a capacity of 40. In the past couple of years it seems to have become the Toastrack of choice and was last used on 5th November 2017 in the end of season parade.