The latest restoration project on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is almost complete and whilst there remain some finishing works to be completed, Sunshade car 32 has returned to service for the first time in over 20 years!
32 was built in 1896 by G.F.Miles, Birkenhead before being exported to the Isle of Man and soon entered service on the line along Douglas Promenade. It was one of six trams built for the tramway and they were known as Sunshades thanks to the lightweight wooden canopy with side awnings fitted to them.
The exact date that 32 last ran isn’t known but it was at some point in the early 2000s that it was taken out of use. An appeal to restore it as part of the secondary operating fleet on the tramway first started in 2019 and in more recent years Isle of Man Railway have taken on the project to return the tram to the rails once more, it becoming the eighth tram to receive significant attention since the government took control of the line.
32 is now back in almost original condition and possibly hasn’t looked as good as it does now for well over 100 years!
The tram was first used again on 12th September 2026.