Why join the MERS?

  • Successfully campaigned for the reinstatement and re-opening of the Laxey – Ramsey section of the MER during 1975–77.
  • Successfully proposed and lobbied for the 1993 "Year of Railways", a series of events to mark the Centenary of the MER — a template for years to come.
  • Successfully stopped a new competing bus service, the 11B, "the biggest threat to the survival of the railway since the Ramsey line closure."
  • Successfully campaigned — including an online petition which attracted more than 2,000 signatures — for Tynwald to approve funding of the restoration of the Horse Tramway to the Sea Terminal. Tynwald's decision was later ignored by DoI officials who spent the money elsewhere. The campaign continues…
  • FULL access to 2000+ pages of Manx Transport material on the society website. Full members receive free copies of the 100+ page Society journal MANX TRANSPORT REVIEW.

Our Latest Print Publication

Manx Transport Review No.103 - Winter 2025/26

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…

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The MERS has a large back catalogue of publications dating back to 1973, covering all aspects of the Island's transport…

Membership Applications & Renewals


Full Annual Membership subscriptions (those paid by Cheque/Postal Order/Standing Order) became due for renewal on the 1st April 2026. Full and On-line subscriptions (paid via PayPal) fall due on the first and successive anniversaries of first joining the MERS. On-line payment for membership applications and renewals can be made via the links at the top of this page, or by Cheque/Postal Order/Standing Order by downloading a renewal form HERE. For all membership enquires and further information, please contact the MERS Membership Secretary at: [email protected]

Recently updated pages:

Manx Viking
Updated 4 days ago

Challenging the established Isle of Man Steam Packet on the Irish Sea during the late 1970's was the one ship operation of ManxLine - running between Douglas and Heysham, a port abandoned by Steam Packet a few years earlier. Significantly it also provided the Island with its first ro-ro service, wh…

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Newslines

Road, Rail, Sea and Air

Horse Tram 150 extra

Additional views of the Horse Tram 150 event. Some behind-the-scenes shots of events at Derby Castle on the occasion of the Horse Tram 150 event. For a full report of the event itself, see our previous article "Douglas Bay Horse Tramway celebrates 150 years." ABOVE: Station Master Davy Callister lo…

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NEWS…

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway celebrates 150 years

THE Douglas Bay Horse Tramway marked its 150th anniversary on Friday, 7th August. The anniversary celebration, took place just a week after another successful 'Manx Heritage Transport Festival' and less than four weeks since the historic visit by King Charles III. Events started at 10:00 with 'Meet…

50th Anniversary Day Friday, August 7, 2026

The Douglas Horse Tramway celebrates its official 150th Anniversary Day on Friday, August 7, 2026, featuring special celebratory cavalcades with double-decker tram no. 18, stable tours, live music, a birthday cake cutting ceremony, and family-friendly activities at Strathallan Tram Depot. The offic…

Horse Car Shop Returns to Douglas

Last surviving sunshade (aka 'umbrella') Car No. 22 of 1890 has been brought back to Douglas from the Jurby Transport Museum today in readiness for next week’s Heritage Transport Festival week. Meanwhile, Royal Tram No. 44 has been sent to Jurby as a replacement. Car 22 was spotted on the back of a…


TODAY's featured

PAGES

Cars 9 & 21 - Derby Castle

Unusually, both Douglas, Laxey & Ramsey Electric Railway liveried cars are seen at Derby Castle on 28th September 1981. Car 9, which looks a little weathered, received the scheme in the early part of 1979. Car 21 had returned to service from overhaul only a few months before this scene was recorded…

Ballaskeig

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 36 & Car 1

Another early 1960s view of Trailer 36, this time at Laxey in the company of 1893 built Car 1, with another car set killing time in the Goods Shed Siding prior to returning to Douglas. (Photo: David Packer)


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