Hang in there – we’re getting towards the start of heritage tram operation for 2026! And to help build the anticipation Isle of Man Railways have released 2026 timetables for all four lines they are responsible for (three of which are covered by this very website).
The operating dates for all lines are:
- Douglas Bay Horse Tramway – Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 1st November
- Isle of Man Steam Railway – Thursday 19th March to Sunday 1st November
- Manx Electric Railway – Tuesday 19th March to Sunday 1st November
- Snaefell Mountain Railway – Saturday 28th March to Sunday 1st November
As usual not all lines run on every day during the operating season (indeed for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway there are only three weeks where it’s a seven day operation) and there are various different timetables which operate depending on the time of the season.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
It’s the 150th anniversary of the tramway in 2026 and to mark the occasion there will be a special enhanced timetable running on Friday 7th August. Described as P+, the timetable details will be revealed closer to the time.
Its timetable N which will be used the most with half hourly departures (except for a lunch break) between 0905 and 1715, requiring just the one tram.
Timetable P is used at peak times (during the Transport Festival, weekends in August and a few random days – Thursday 13th August, Friday 28th August and Saturday 19th September). This timetable sees a 15 minute frequency and requires two trams to operate it.
There is also timetable W which ends the season. This is similar to timetable N, except it ends the day a couple of hours earlier.
Manx Electric Railway
It’s a similar pattern of operation for the MER in 2026 with the usual lettered timetables, including evening running between May and September.
Timetable B (beginning and end of season) has seven departures from Derby Castle per day (including one to Laxey and back). First service from Derby Castle at 0940, last at 1510. Returns from Ramsey at 1110 until 1640.
Timetable C is the next step up with nine departures from Derby Castle each day. Starting off at 0940 and ending with a 1510 to Ramsey and 1610 to Laxey. Returns from Ramsey run between 1110 and 1640.
Timetable D is the main summer timetable and will see 12 timetabled departures from Derby Castle during the day. First departure is 0940 and the last to Ramsey is at 1540, with an additional Laxey at 1610. There are also two other services during the day which only run to Laxey. Returning from Ramsey its 1110 for the first and 1710 for the last. This timetable also continues to advertise the use of either the world’s oldest trams or an open tram on the 1140 Derby Castle-Ramsey and 1340 return – this, subject to availability, should see 1, 2, 16, 32 or 33 in use.
Timetable F is the TT fortnight service. This is the most intensive service and includes 19 departures from Derby Castle with the first at 0840 and last at 1940. Returns from Ramsey are between 1010 and 2140.
Evening services are also back. Timetable E is the July and August Groudle shuttle which runs on every Wednesday during those months (Derby Castle departures at 1840, 1910, 2010, 2040, 2110, returning 15 minutes later).
And then timetable G runs on two Saturdays in May (9th and 23rd), and then every Saturday from 13th June to 19th September. This sees timetable D extend into the evening and includes a 2040 Derby Castle and 2210 return from Ramsey.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
The timetables on the Snaefell Mountain Railway are again linked to the Manx Electric Railway to provide connections to services running between Derby Castle and Ramsey.
The start and end of the season sees timetable B, with more hourly departures for most of the day between 1015 and 1545.
Timetables C and D (which cover the majority of the season) are identical for the Snaefell Mountain Railway and provide half hourly services to and from the Summit.
And then TT fortnight sees timetable F run. This is half hourly from 0945 to 1545 and then “trams will run as required for evening practicing and racing”.
Special Events
There will be several special events to appeal to the tram enthusiasts during 2026:
- 28th July to 2nd August – Manx Heritage Transport Festival to mark 150 years of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- 7th August – Official 150th anniversary of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
- 21st to 22nd November – MER services to Laxey Christmas Markets
The full Isle of Man Railways timetable for 2026 can be downloaded from the Isle of Man Railways website at https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/3430/2026-iom-railways-timetable-i.pdf