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…

More information


View more of our printed publications

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:

OLD HANDS’ DAY
Updated 5 days ago

Another innovative feature was a specific outing for former employees of the line. This event took place on August 28. Using Car No. 32, as the obvious choice of a vehicle in perfect mechanical and electrical condition, a substantial carload was taken from Douglas to Laxey with a ride on the SMR an…

View this page

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…

more

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

Trailer 51 & Car 14 - Lag Birragh

Here is an interesting view from July 1973 of a well filled Ratchet Car 14 and 1893 Bulkhead Trailer 51 at Lag Birragh, on a glorious sunny day whilst operating an extra journey to Laxey. (Photo: A.Spencer Collection)

16's Ramsey end platform seat

A remarkable survivor can be found underneath 16’s Ramsey end platform seat. The curious, by lifting the seat can find a liquidators notice from the collapse, in 1900 of the Isle of Man Tramways & Electric Power Company. (Photo: MERS Collection)

Car 16 ?

Fans and historians of the Douglas horse tramway will be aware that number 16 in the fleet was a double deck tram, long since departed, not a toastrack car. But for two seasons during the 1980's tram 'number 16' ran in service. In reality the tram was 1907 United Electric Company car 43, temporaril…


JOIN US!

To view full articles — and join us to ensure the retention of all the Island's Tramways — JOIN NOW for just £1

FULL MEMBERSHIP is available — including free copies of the printed MANX TRANSPORT REVIEW £12

Existing Members Can Now Renew Their Subscriptions On-Line - See Top Of The Homepage For Details

Want to be a Reporter/Photographer for MERS Newslines?
Contact us for details.

Login

Powered by Quesmedia Sites