The last big heritage tram event of the year (plus a bit of steam railway thrown in for good measure!) will take place on the Isle of Man between 26th and 30th October. The Manx Heritage Winter Transport Festival will provide “five action-packed days’ on the Isle of Man’s award-winning network of heritage railways” and both the Manx Electric Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway will be featuring heavily in the events programme.
On the Manx Electric Railway there will be parallel runs, unusual combinations in service, tours of Derby Castle Sheds and a special system tour which will traverse many crossovers and sidings on the route from Douglas to Ramsey.
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway – which hasn’t been able to play a full part in these events for a while during the protracted Promenade redevelopment works – will also feature heavily over the five days. There will be various different trams in service – including double-decker 18 being hauled by two horses – as well as the chance to look behind the scenes at the historic Summerhill Stables.
Day 1: Wednesday 26th October 2022
Manx Electric Railway
- Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle. Winter Saloons 19 and 22 will depart from Derby Castle at 0900.
- Tram and Trailer Unusual Combinations. To include 19+61 (departs Derby Castle at 0940 and 1240), 22+62 (departs Derby Castle at 1010, 1140 and 1510), 9+57 (departs Derby Castle at 1040 and 1410).
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- Winter Saloons in service. 27 (departing Derby Castle 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205) and 29 (departing Derby Castle 1310, 1340, 1410, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700) will be running the standard timetable.
- Tramway Stables. Free entry to look around the historic stables – they are open every day the tramway is operating.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
- Wizard Express. A special Hop-Tu-Naa ride for 2022 departing Douglas at 1210 for Castletown, returning by 1440. Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for children (aged 2-12). Bookings can be made by calling 01624 697 457 or emailing steamdining@gov.im
General
- Welcome Evening at the British Hotel. Doors open at 1815 for 1830 start. Admission £3.50 on the door.
Day 2: Thursday 27th October
Manx Electric Railway
- Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle. Tunnel Car 9+Van 16 and Tunnel Car 7+Wagon 10 depart Derby Castle at 0900.
- Victorian Tram Day. To include 1+42 (departs Derby Castle at 0940, 1240, 1640), 7+51 (departs Derby Castle at 1010, 1340), 2+49 (departs Derby Castle 1140, 1510), 19+59 (departs Derby Castle at 1040, 1410)
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- Bulkheads in service. 36 (departs Derby Castle 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205) and 45 (departs Derby Castle 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700) will operate on the standard timetable.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
- Wizard Express. A special Hop-Tu-Naa ride for 2022 departing Douglas at 1210 for Castletown, returning by 1440. Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for children (aged 2-12). Bookings can be made by calling 01624 697 457 or emailing steamdining@gov.im
- Travelling Post Office. 0950 from Douglas and 1200 from Port Erin will include the Travelling Post Office transporting special commemorative stamp covers.
- Good Train Shunting at Douglas Station. Caledonia will be in Douglas Station and Yard between 1530 and 1630 shunting goods and departmental stock. Stock will include the H wagon, Cleminson Coach and G1 wagon. Free entry to Douglas platform.
- Pie and Mash Supper on the Dining Car. Two engines will double-head the “Cruise Special” to Port Erin and two engines will form a banked train on the return. Will also include a descriptive and historical commentary describing the coming of the railway age to the island ahead of 2023’s 150th Departs Douglas at 1900, arriving Port Erin 2015, returns 2115 arriving Douglas 2230. £32 – to book email steamdining@gov.im or phone 01624 697 457.
- A Night at the Museum. The museum will be open between 1930 and 2100.
Day 3: Friday 28th October
Manx Electric Railway
- Parallel run between Derby Castle and Groudle. Weather permitting Crossbench Car 32 and 33 will depart Derby Castle at 0900. (In poor weather 9 and 19 will substitute).
- Tram and Trailer Unusual combinations. Sets will be decided on the day subject to weather.
- Derby Castle Workshop and Yard Tours. Tours at 1115, 1215, 1415, 1515 – the chance to hear about the history of the yard, a look at different types of trams with some items of rolling stock on display. Cost £6 – book online at http://rail.im or phone 01624 662 525.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- Toastrack in service. Weather permitting Toastrack 42 will be in service throughout the day – scheduled to depart Derby Castle at 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205, 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
- Snaefell Summit Dining Pie in the Sky. Dine at the summit whilst viewing what’s in the night sky with the Isle of Man Astronomical Society. Departs Derby Castle 1840, returns by 2340. Cost £44 – book online at http://rail.im or phone 01624 662 525.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
- Daytime Guided Tours at Port Erin Museum. Open between 1030 and 1630.
- Wizard Express. A special Hop-Tu-Naa ride for 2022 departing Douglas at 1210 for Castletown, returning by 1440. Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for children (aged 2-12). Bookings can be made by calling 01624 697 457 or emailing steamdining@gov.im
- Indo-China Express on the Dining Car. Departs Douglas 1900, returns by 2230. Cost £32 – book by emailing steamdining@gov.im or phone 01624 697 457
Also happening
- Groudle Glen Railway offering behind the scenes tours at 1000, 1100, 1200. Book online at http://www.ggr.org.uk
Day 4: Saturday 29th October
Manx Electric Railway
- Crossover Explorer. Car 1 will travel to Ramsey using a selection of crossovers and sidings. Will include the new crossovers at Queens Valley and Ballaskeig. Departs Derby Castle Groudle Siding at 0955, returning to Derby Castle by 1620. Cost £12 – book online at http://rail.im or phone 01624 662 525.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- Double Decker & Winter Saloon in service. Winter Saloon 27 (departs Derby Castle 0935, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1135, 1205) and double decker 18 (departs Derby Castle 1310, 1340, 1410, 1440, 1530, 1600, 1630, 1700) will operate the standard timetabled service.
- Tram and two Horses. Double decker 18 will depart Derby Castle at 1230 hauled by two horses. A limited number of tickets to travel on board are available at £6 for adults and £3 for children up to 15 years. Book online at http://rail.im or phone 01624 662 525.
- Stamps on the MER and DBHT. A special Railway Letter Service will operate between Derby Castle and Broadway on the board the horse tramway. Mail Van 4 and Mail Van 16 will be situated in Groudle Siding at Derby Castle for the sorting of mail. Railway letter covers will travel on various horse tram services during the day.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
- Douglas Workshop, Running Shed and Signal Box Tours. Tours start 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 to see behind the scenes. Cost £6 – book online at http://rail.im or phone 01624 662 525.
- Steam Legendary Drivers. Joe Buttell is remembered on the 60th anniversary of his first retirement on the 0950 from Douglas.
- Hop-Tu-Naa Murder Mystery. Departs Douglas at 1900 to Castletown with a return at Derby Castle by 2230. Includes a meal on board and the chance to solve the mystery. Cost £49 – book by emailing steamdining@gov.im or phone 01624 697 457.
Also happening
- Great Laxey Mine Railway will be running Hop-Tu-Naa Spooky trains between 1300 and 1900. £3 per return trip.
Day 5: Sunday 30th October 2022
Manx Electric Railway
- Intensive Service. An enhanced timetable will operate.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- Final day of service for 2022. The last services of the day will include lights inside the saloon for a twinkling end to the season.
- Stables Open Day. From 1030 to 1530 for an informal open day.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
- Double Header Day. A selection of double header and banked trains will operate throughout the day. Starting with 0950 from Douglas with the lead engine decorated with a shield and headboard. The second engine will join 1027 from Castletown back to Douglas as a banked train. 1150 from Douglas will be as second double header to Port Erin. Final 1600 departure from Port Erin to Douglas will be a banked train.
- Steam Headboards. Headboards including The Duke of Sutherland, The QE11 Platinum Jubilee, IMR Dalrymple Maitland and other will feature on the front of services all day.
Also happening
- Hop-Tu-Naa Vintage Transport Running Day at Jurby Transport Museum. Heritage bus rides around the local area.
- Great Laxey Mine Railway will be running Hop-Tu-Naa Spooky trains between 1300 and 1900. £3 per return trip.
For full details of the events you can view the leaflet of the programme at https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2583/2022-winter-transport-festival.pdf