The Douglas Bay Horse tramway is gearing up for a busy couple of weeks.
The iconic trams will commemorate the 140th anniversary over the weekend of 6 and 7 August 2016.
Firstly this weekend, the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has planned a number of special services as part of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival. The tram stables will be open to visitors on Friday (29 July) and will have selected souvenirs on sale all weekend, including lucky horse shoes plus just a dozen old tram stop signs.
The full festival horse tram programme is:
Friday 29 July – Timetable P
0900 to 1800 Every available tram will be used in rotation
0900 to 1800 All operational trams will be on display outside the depot
1230 to 1600 Open day at the stables, pop-up gift shop open
Saturday 30 July
0900 to 1400 Trams operate as per timetable P with enhancements
1200 to 1600 Pop-up gift shop open
1400 to 1530 Trams operate enhanced service with departures every 10 minutes
1530 to 2100 Services continue into the evening, every 20 minutes.
Sunday 31 July
0900 First departure of Okell’s double decker pulled by a pair of horses
0900 to 1600 Trams operate as per timetable P
1230 to 1600 Pop-up gift shop open
1600 Procession of horse trams departs Strathallan
1800 Last tram departs Strathallan.
The 140th anniversary programme includes:
Saturday 6 August
0900 to 1800 Timetable P during the day with services every 15 minutes
1200 Guided tour of the stables (book at Derby Castle)
1230 to 1600 Pop-up gift shop open
1800 to 2100 Evening service, every 20 minutes
Sunday 7 August – the 140th anniversary
0900 Okell’s double decker pulled buy a pair of horses
0900 to 1400 Tram services as per timetable P
1200 Guided tour of the stables (book at Derby Castle)
1230 to 1600 Pop-up gift shop open
1400 to 1530 Enhanced service with trams departing every 10-15 minutes
1600 140th anniversary cavalcade of all operational trams departs Strathallan
1800 Last tram departs Strathallan
Guided tours will be offered at the tram stables from Saturday (6 August 2016), at midday. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day at the Derby Castle ticket office, priced £2 adults and £1 children. The stables will also have a small number of souvenir gifts on sale that may be purchased at the end of the tour, ranging from lucky horse tram horse shoes to hi vis vests bearing the ‘Powered by Bushy’s’ message worn by tram conductors – that several people have expressed an interest in obtaining.
A special commemorative ticket for the 140th anniversary cavalcade – taking place at 4pm on Sunday 7 August – will shortly be available, priced £4 adults and £2 children or just £1 per ticket when purchased with a valid horse tram ticket or Go card.