Following hot on the heels of the unique use of Manx Electric Railway works car 34 on Tuesday 21st May along the new Douglas Bay Horse Tramway tracks the first horse tram of 2019 has now run with Rocky hauling 29 along the short section of available track as preparations towards a belated start to the 2019 season really start to move up a gear.
As we reported last night 34 was used to help clear the new track of debris ahead of the start of training and testing of the horse trams and less than 24 hours later with this work completed it was the turn of the more familiar type of power along the northern part of Douglas Prom. Rocky who the chosen horse who was used to pull saloon 29 – one of three horse cars moved into the temporary marquee the previous day – along the short section of track, approximately 500 metres in length.
Provided that this testing was deemed a success it is expected that further testing and training will take place before public services begin, although no exact date for this has yet to be announced.
Of note as well is that these tests were actually the first time that 29 had run since it enjoyed its full rebuild over the past year or so.