“In the latest newsletter just published by the Isle of Man Victorian Society they give their full support to the reinstatement of the Horse Tram tracks to the Sea Terminal. Peter Kelly, spokesman for the society which this year celebrates its own golden jubilee , gives praise and support to Charles Guard’s YouTube ‘A Short Rant by Charles Guard’. Quoting Charles, he reiterates that in the last year the horse trams ran the full distance of the promenade they carried 78,000 passengers but since it has been cut off at Broadway ,forcing potential passengers to walk to Broadway to get on a tram ,numbers now are just touching 45.000 per season.
The article refers to the celebrations in 1956when the horse trams were 80 years old and Douglas Corporation brought to the Island Pat Smythe the famous Olympic horsewoman to head up the celebrations. For the centenary celebrated on 9th August 1976 the guest of honour was the attractive Ann Moore who four years earlier had been part of the British Olympic Equestrian Team and won a silver medal. Ann led the parade of all the trams and horses from the side of the Sea Terminal by driving the first tram to Derby Castle with the Mayor and Mrs Watterson on the top deck of the only original double decker tram known to be still in existence. The tram was brought especially to the Island from the Science Museum in London but is now on display in the Manx Museum Victorian display. Crowds lined the route to witness the spectacle.
Peter encourages the politicians to reaffirm their decision to reinstate the tracks to the Sea Terminal but realises that the line won’t be complete and in use on the day of the 150th Anniversary. He does however offer a suggestion as to how this milestone in the history of the trams could be commemorated. Peter points to Wednesday 7th June 1876 when Thomas Lightfoot the promotor of the horse trams held a ceremony on the promenade near his house on what was known in those days as The Crescent. He invited A W Adams local advocate and MHK , who successfully guided the Tramway Bill through Tynwald to cut the first sod. Peter suggests that on 7th June this year the first sod could be cut on the grass swathe on Loch Promenade in advance of work starting on the final stretch of track. He stops short of suggesting who should have the honour of driving the spade into the turf.”
Any questions please contact Peter Kelly on the above e-mail address or telephone01624 62173312th March 2026