Full events programme announced for Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2026

Isle of Man Transport have revealed the full planned events programme for the Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2026, which will be taking place between Tuesday 28^th July and Sunday 2^nd August. There are two big themes of the event this year with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway celebrating 150 years and it being the 50^th anniversary of the nationalisation of buses. But that doesn’t mean other lines aren’t getting in the act either of course!

It was 1876 that horse trams first ran in Douglas and whilst the line which currently remains in the capital city of the island is not as long as it once was that isn’t going to stop major celebrations of the 150^th anniversary!

A variety of different tramcars will be operating on the line during the course of the event – which will see the more intensive two-tram service in operation – and this not only includes the usual sunshades, winter saloons and toastracks but also the return to service of unique operational double-decker 18, which has been enjoying an overhaul and missed the entirety of 2025.

There will also be the rare chance to enjoy a horse tram ride in the evening with a couple of special nights of running, whilst Saturday 1^st August will see a Cavalcade of operational horse trams between Derby Castle and the Villa Marina.

Horse car 22 will be making a return to the Horse Tramway for just two weeks where it will be on static display as well as being used as the exclusive 150^th anniversary shop! 22 was converted into a mobile shop during the 1970s and can usually be found at the Jurby Transport Museum but will be back in Douglas for a two-week period.

For the Manx Electric Railway it will be the case of many of the old favourite type of events taking place. This will include numerous parallel runs north from Derby Castle using a variety of tram combinations as well as the chance to get behind the controls of a tram with Motorman Taster lessons.

Lost trailers will make a comeback on the line (of course its just operational trailers with temporary identities!) and there will also be some rarer trailers in service on timetabled services. And of course the event ends on Sunday 2^nd August with the usual intensive service.

One of the MER highlights comes on Wednesday 29^th July when there is a special evening run of all four Winter Saloons (19, 20, 21, 22) north to Ramsey. Once there they will be posed for photos before embarking on parallel runs to Laxey with photostops on the way. From Laxey each tram will head back solo to Derby Castle.

There will also be behind the scenes tours at the MER’s Derby Castle and Laxey Car Sheds, as well as the Snaefell Mountain Railway shed, also at Laxey.

The event will also celebrate 50 years since bus services on the island were nationalised and Isle of Man Transport have invited visitors to bring their vintage, retro or modern buses to the Isle of Man! As part of the celebrations there will be a bus Cavalcade on Saturday 1^st August.

• Full details of the planned events can be viewed on the Isle of Man Transport website at https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/3460/manx-heritage-transport-festival-2026-020426.pdf. Some events will require pre-booking and have special fares. Pre-booking opens from 9^th April 2026.