Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November 2026 was the end of yet another operating season for various tramways and railways on the Isle of Man, but they aren’t ones to go out with a whimper! A varied programme of special events took place with the Manx Electric Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway featuring heavily to stay goodbye to the season.
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway went all spooky on Saturday 31st October with some Hop tu Naa specials running along the length of the tramway, a length which remains just between Derby Castle and Villa Marina whilst a programme of works is agreed for the re-extension to the Sea Terminal.
Then on the very last day of the season, Sunday 1st November, there was not only the chance to have behind the scenes tours of the stables but also to enjoy a ride on double decker 18 – hauled by two horses! It ran three round-trips to help bring to an end the 150th anniversary season of the tramway.
Meanwhile, over on the Manx Electric Railway the season ended with a full length parallel run between Ramsey and Derby Castle. This saw Winter Saloons 19 and 21 leave Ramsey at 1640 and head together all the way south back to Douglas, their arrival back at the southern extremity of the line bringing a close to the main 2026 season.
Other MER goings on for the last weekend including the use of car 2 in service whilst two lost trams made a return (it was Hop tu Naa after all!) with 3 and 8 in operation – in reality 2 and 9.
Whilst that may be the end of the main operating season, the MER hasn’t gone into full hibernation just yet! On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November services will be running between Derby Castle and Laxey for the Laxey Christmas Markets, with three sets required to operate the service from 0940 until 1540 (from Derby Castle) and 1025 to 1625 (from Laxey).
There will also be services for Fro’ZEN’ at the Glen (5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th December) and Groudle Glen Railway Tinsel Tram Shuttles (12th, 13th, 19th and 20th December).