The first of two big general transport events on the Isle of Man for 2020 will see the official opening of the new Douglas Bay Horse Tramway Depot at Strathallan. Rush Hour on the Railways takes place over the Easter weekend (10th to 13th April) and as well as the opening of the depot there are many events to keep you occupied including parallel runs, depot tours and intensive services.
Whilst you would have accepted the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway not to play a part during this event as Prom reconstruction works will mean the service doesn’t launch until later in the season it will actually be one of the big highlights on Easter Monday, 13th April, as the all new Strathallan Depot will be officially opened. Constructed on the site of the old dilapidated depot and offices the new depot will have its ribbon cut at 1000 and there will also be guided tours at 1100, 1300, 1400 and 1500. And the best bit – its all free!
And keeping to the depot theme, on Easter Saturday, 11th April there will be the rare chance to see behind the scenes at the Snaefell Mountain Railway’s Laxey Shed with tours taking place. With the SMR celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 (a special event will also be taking place on Friday 21st August to celebrate this) there will be four behind the scenes tours. Tours take place at 1000, 1100, 1300 and 1400 at the cost of £6.
As you would expect the Manx Electric Railway will also play a key part of the four day extravaganza starting off on Good Friday, 10th April, with Tunnel Car 6 and Winter Saloon 22 performing a parallel run from Derby Castle at 0840. The same day also sees Motorman Taster lessons using car 6 whilst closed trailers will be in service all day – nos. 56, 57, 58 and 59 will all see action alongside motors 9, 19, 20 and 22.
Easter Sunday, 12th April, will see two more special events on the Manx Electric Railway with an intensive service in operation between 0840 and 1755 and in the evening it’s a Photography Evening at Derby Castle Yard with specially posed vehicles and cameo scenes from 1900 to 2100.
With the Isle of Man Steam Railway and Groudle Glen Railway also taking part over this long weekend it looks set to be another event not to miss!
* You can view the full programme of events in this leaflet and we will have a full preview shortly before the event.