Full news roundup from the Manx Electric Railway, Douglas Horse Tramway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and other Island transport. Historical feature articles - Full Colour - 108 pages. Copies are distributed FREE to Full Members of the Manx Electric Railway Society upon publication – visit mers.org.im…
The MERS has a large back catalogue of publications dating back to 1973, covering all aspects of the Island's transport…
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Replica Winter Saloon Car 22 poses alongside 1893 built Car 1 at Derby Castle Depot on Good Friday 14th April) 1995. (Photo: MERS Collection)
Road, Rail, Sea and Air
“The contingency budget allocated to the reinstatement of the horse tram tracks has been ‘significantly increased’. The Department of Infrastructure says it’s followed a Treasury recommendation because of the ‘volatile global financial climate’. It’s now estimating that it will cost £3 million to r…
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“The DoI says it will cost over £3m to partially restore the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway to the Sea Terminal. While the historic double track has been consigned to the pages of history, a single track line is still proposed. The DoI’s business case recommends installing a single line of tram tracks f…
World record breaking MER car No.1 has been in service today. David Umpleby has kindly made available these interesting and unusual photographs which were recorded during a journey over the MER’s spectacular Ramsey section. Car 1's beautifully varnished wooden interior The recently relaid track bet…
Tynwald could be asked to approve a financial motion for the horse tramway in June, but only if outstanding design and feasibility work is completed in time. Treasury Minister Chris Thomas told the House of Keys that a capital funding request for the heritage rail project was received at the end of…
“A Douglas South MHK says it's unfair that the business case for the full reinstatement of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is seeing yet more delays. Back in March, the Department of Infrastructure was tasked with returning to Tynwald this month with plans for the full line. However, the document has…
“Douglas Council says it's 'disappointed' that the horse trams are not operating along the full length of the promenade, and it's not the only issue causing ire in the local authority. Regarding the horse trams, despite Tynwald approving funding back in 2017 to reinstate the full route from Derby C…
“Reinstating the horse tram tracks along the full length of Douglas Promenade will cost almost £2 million. The figure has been revealed by the chief engineer of Isle of Man Railways who says it is ‘far from ideal’ that they still do not run between Broadway and the Sea Terminal. The work was origin…
TODAY's featured
The newest motor car coupled to the oldest, currently serviceable trailer. 1906 Crossbench Car 33 and 1893 Trailer 51 approach the road crossing at Ballaskeig on a fine August afternoon in 2002. This view just hints at some of the superb scenery which the MER passes through on the Laxey/Ramsey sect…
Trailer 53 occupies the road which leads to the former Goods Shed at Derby Castle Depot in August 1974. Tunnel Car 5 peeps through the door of the bottom shed whilst a Ratchet Car sits alongside on the 'Stores Road'. A member of staff clad in a traditional brown dust jacket stands in the doorway of…
Trailer 37 is pictured mid shunt at Laxey Station on 26th May 1981. On this occassion the trailer was operating specials whilst coupled to car No.2, to provide extra capacity between Douglas and Laxey. Until recently, the use of Bulkhead trailers over the Ramsey line was relatively rare.
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