Horse Tramway Rant
Renowned champion of Manx Heritage, Charles Guard, challenges the members of Tynwald to put the Horse Trams back as they promised they would do nine years ago.
Why join the MERS?
- Successfully campaigned for the reinstatement and re-opening of the Laxey – Ramsey secontion fo the MER during 1975–77.
- Successfully proposed and lobbied for the 1993 "Year of the 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 &mdashl including an online petition which attracted more than 2,000 signatures &mdashl 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.102 - Winter 2024/25
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…
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Full Annual Membership subscriptions (those paid by Cheque/Postal Order/Standing Order) became due for renewal on the 1st April 2025. 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:
Maurice Faragher - Isle of Man Railways Engineering Superintendent 1983 - 1995
Updated 7 Feb 2026
Maurice Faragher, Isle of Man Railway’s former Engineering Superintendent (1983-1995), has recently been interviewed by current MER motorman Chris Callow on behalf of Culture Vannin. Maurice recalls his life including employment with the MER over many years. “Maurice Faragher tells the story of his…
Newslines
Road, Rail, Sea and Air
Horse Tramway Rant
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NEWS…
Maurice Faragher - Former Isle of Man Railways Engineering Superintendent
Maurice Faragher, Isle of Man Railway’s former Engineering Superintendent (1983-1995), has recently been interviewed by current MER motorman Chris Callow on behalf of Culture Vannin. Maurice recalls his life including employment with the MER over many years. “Maurice Faragher tells the story of his…
Horse Tramway business case 'under final review'
The business case for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has been decoupled from the Tramway Terrace Project. Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall has confirmed the move in response to a Tynwald Question for written reply from Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh. On January 23rd the Member for North Doug…
MHK Has Questions About Horse Trams Business Case
“Why is the business case for finishing the Douglas horse tram tracks no longer tied to the restoration of Tramway Terrace? That's what Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh wants to know, having tabled a Tynwald question for written reply to Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall. Last year, the Depart…
Heritage Railway timetables announced
Timetables have been announced for the Isle of Man’s heritage railways for the 2026 season. The Manx Electric Railway will return to service on Tuesday the 17th of March, with the steam railway following two days later, on Thursday the 19th. Both services will run through to Sunday the 1st of Novem…
Tim Crookall MHK new Infrastructure Minister
The new Department of Infrastructure Minister is Tim Crookall MHK. He took up this role following Dr Michelle Haywood's decision to step down. It's the third time Mr Crookall has been head of this department. The departure of Dr Haywood and the appointment of Mr Crookall followed a ministerial resh…
Double victory for Island's heritage railways
There's been a double victory for the Isle of Man in the 2025 British Trams Online Tram of The Year competition. Manx Electric Railway Trailer 50, which returned to service last year for the first time since 1978 following restoration work, has retained the award for 'Heritage Tram of the Year'. It…
TODAY's featured
ARTICLES
‘MER Trams Able To Run On New Horse Tram Tracks’
‘Infrastructure Minister Says The Move Will Future-Proof The Line’ “The Manx Electric Railway will be able to run down to the Sea Terminal once the Douglas promenade refurbishment scheme is completed, according to the infrastructure minister. The old horse tram tracks are being upgraded, so they ca…
‘Campaigner Claims Doi Row Is Blocking Horse Tram Progress’
‘Tynwald previously agreed to fund single track from Broadway to Sea Terminal’ “A heritage campaigner claims a row between highways and railways is blocking progress on the Douglas promenade horse trams. Charles Guard MBE made the allegations while giving evidence to Tynwald's built heritage commit…
Manx Electric Railway October services
Services on the Manx Electric Railway between October 3 through 31, 2015 only operate on Tuesdays-Thursdays and at weekends, with the Derby Castle based two car/four journey timetable A in place during Tu-Th and the more frequent timetable B in place on Saturdays and Sundays.
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