Once again we are rapidly reaching the end of another main operating season on the various tramways and railways on the Isle of Man and not ones to let the occasion pass by there will be a series of special events taking place on the final weekend – Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November 2026. The Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway will all be involved on the tram side whilst the Isle of Man Steam Railway, Groudle Glen Railway and Laxey Mines Railway will also get in on the action!
On Saturday 31st October the MER are scheduled to allocate Tunnel Cars 7 and 9 in service whilst either 1 or 2 should operate one round trip (the latter subject to weather conditions as well as the usual operational availability). It should also be the return of some trams which were lost in the Laxey Car Shed fire of 1930 – 3, 4 and 8 will all be recreated subject to appropriate weather conditions.
The MER continues the action on the final day of the 2026 season – Sunday 1st November – with a special parallel run from Ramsey to Derby Castle departing at 1640 (as a result the 1540 service will not run).
Elsewhere, Sunday 1st November will see a Snaefell Mountain Railway wagon display at Laxey.
For the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway both days will include stable tours whilst on Saturday 31st October there will be special Hop Tu Naa Tram services. Sunday 1st November will also see double decker 18 out with two horses utilised to haul it (due to depart Derby Castle 1440 and back at 1505 – if this is running late the 1510 MER service will be held).
Full events planned:
Saturday 31st October
Steam Railway – driver for £20 at Douglas Station
Manx Electric Railway – 1893 & 1894 cars in service and lost car creation
Horse Tramway – Hop Tu Naa Tram and stable tours
House of Mannanan – A Bus Service exhibition
Groudle Glen Railway – Hop Tu Naa trains
Great Laxey Mine Railway – Hop Tu Naa trains
Sunday 1st November
Steam Railway – Manx Northern train
Manx Electric Railway – Parallel run from Ramsey
Jurby Transport Museum – Ramsey Vintage Bus Running Day
Queens Pier Ramsey – Open Day
Horse Tramway – 18 in service with two horses and stable tours
Snaefell Mountain Railway – Wagon Display at Laxey
House of Mannanan – A Bus Service exhibition
Groudle Glen Railway – Hop Tu Naa trains
Great Laxey Mine Railway – Hop Tu Naa trains
- Full details of the events and to book on some of the events please visit https://www.rail.im