“The heritage railways have recorded another year of growing passenger numbers, with all four publicly owned lines seeing increased use.
Latest figures show strong year-on-year growth of 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, building on an already successful period for the heritage rail network.
The network, which includes the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, saw 129,245 passengers take the train south (or north, depends where you get on really).
The Manx Electric Railway recorded 155,494 journeys, while the Snaefell Mountain Railway carried 124,500 passengers and the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway saw 53,879 journeys.
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway experienced the highest growth rate, climbing 19.66% between 2023 and 2025. The line saw a 9.51% increase from 2024 to 2025.
The Manx Electric Railway recorded a 17.76% increase from 2023 to 2025, while the Snaefell Mountain Railway saw numbers rise by 12.04% over the same period.
The steam trains recorded a 3.86% increase between 2023 and 2025.
Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall MHK said: “These figures demonstrate the increasing appeal of the island’s heritage railways and reflect the hard work of our dedicated railways team.”
“Each line offers a unique experience, and we’re delighted to see both residents and visitors making greater use of these important cultural assets.”
“Continued investment in our network ensures that these iconic services remain a key part of the Island’s exceptional tourism offering.”
In July, the Manx Heritage Transport Festival will celebrate 150 years of the operation of the horse trams in Douglas and the 50th anniversary of the nationalisation of bus services.”