"The Isle of Man’s oldest tramcars will be operating scheduled services on Sunday 27 July 2014 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway line reaching Laxey.
Tramcars No. 1 and No. 2 are recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest tramcars in service on their original system anywhere in the world. Built by G F Milnes & Co. of Birkenhead, they were delivered along with tramcar No. 3 in 1893. Sadly No. 3 was lost in the Laxey car shed fire of 1930 but the others are still in service, although not in daily use. No. 1 tramcar bears the official Guinness World Record plaque confirming the trams’ record status.
To commemorate 120 years of MER services to Laxey, No. 2 will depart Derby Castle, Douglas, at 1010 to Ramsey.
No. 1 will operate the 1110 departure to Laxey and will remain in Laxey between 1140 and 1255 on the sidings. No. 2 will depart Ramsey at 1140 and will pass No. 1 at Laxey Station at 1225 for a rare photo opportunity on its way to Douglas.
No.1 departs Laxey for Douglas at 1255. Standard fares will apply on the journeys.
A plaque commemorating the official opening of the line to Laxey was found recently and is now on display at the MER Museum, which is open to the public the second and last Sunday each month of the season from 1100 until 1500. The museum will therefore be open on this 120th anniversary, adjacent to the tram sheds at Derby Castle. Admission is free, donations welcome.
• IoM Railways regrets that access to the museum is not suitable for people with disabilities. There is no public parking adjacent to the site, which is a short walk from the north end of Douglas promenade."
