One of the premier annual transport events across the British Isles took place on the Isle of Man between 22nd and 27th July as the Manx Heritage Transport Festival returned once again. This year the highlight for the Manx Electric Railway was undoubtedly the return to service of Trailer 50 – its first passenger use since 1978!
One of the original batch of six trailers built for the MER in 1893 it was originally numbered 12 before being renumbered 24 in 1895, 29 in 1898 before it eventually became 50 in 1903/4. As with many of the vehicles in the MER fleet it has seen various amendments over the year, starting as a fully open trailer before receiving a roof in 1894/5.
The late 1930s saw it receive glazed end bulkheads added, and that is the condition it remained in for the rest of its operating career. It last ran to Ramsey in 1970 before seasonal use saw it still available for service until 1978 when withdrawal came. It was offered for sale but fortunately it wasn’t sold and it has remained stored on the island ever since. This has included spells at Laxey Car Shed, Homefield Bus Garage, Ramsey Car Shed and then returning to Laxey in 2014.
It has remained at Laxey since and that is where its restoration was undertaken, with volunteers taking on a lot of the work (alongside paid staff) to bring it back to working order. The restoration was announced in 2022 (although some work had already taken place) and over the next three years work took place on a body overhaul, restoration of the seats and replacement trucks being fitted under the trailer.
The tram was repainted into the green nationalised livery (a colour scheme it carried 1957-1961) ahead of it being tested and returned to service as part of a special tour with Crossbench 32 on 22nd July 2025.
The event was so much more than just 50 returning to service of course! It included parallel runs, behind the scenes tours, photography specials and an intensive service on the MER to round the event off on 27th July 2025.
Welcome back to 50! The Trailer is back at Derby Castle with Crossbench 32 on 22nd July. The high-quality work which has gone into restoring the trailer back to service is clear to see.
Line-ups don’t get much better than this! 24th July 2025 saw all of the surviving 1893 built motors and trailers brought together at Derby Castle Sheds – and displayed in number order. This is believed to be the first time they’ve all been in one place for more than 80 years! Left to right we see 1, 2, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54.
As is traditional at these events there were a number of parallel runs and that include original motors 1 and 2. They are seen here at Derby Castle before setting off.
Another restoration project – although being done between other jobs as time allows – is that of 1904 Crossbench 29. During behind the scenes tours at Derby Castle the chance was available to see the current state of the motor. (All Photographs courtesy of Manx Electric Railway Online)
- The best place to get all the latest news and information on the Manx Electric is by heading to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/manxelectricrailway. We are grateful for their assistance in providing the photos included in this article and a future Photo Gallery.