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:

Howstrake Camp - Illuminated Car 9
Updated 3 days ago

Illuminated Tunnel Car 9, bathed in weak winter sunshine, rounds the curve at the entrance to the former Howstrake Holiday Camp during December 1995. At this time, Car 9 was carrying out of date promotional material for the Snaefell Mountain Railway Centenary, which has been celebrated some months…

View this page

Newslines

Road, Rail, Sea and Air

more

NEWS…

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…

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…


TODAY's featured

PAGES

ILLUMINATED TRAMCAR

The concept of an illuminated tramcar was, like so much else, first mooted in the MER Society’s Centenary Proposal submission. It seems extraordinary that the MER have never had an illuminated tramcar of any sort – coronations, jubilees, victories and celebrations had come and gone, and the MER was…

SMR Car 7 'Maria'

The six passenger cars of the Snaefell Mountain Railway were augmented by Car No.7, or ‘Maria’ as it was commonly referred to. The car consisted of a 5-ton open wagon body with twin cabs, used for freight , and which borrowed trucks and control gear from one of the passenger cars (usually No. 5) ea…


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