During the guided tour of the Manx Electric Railway’s Derby Castle Sheds and Workshops, organised by Manx National Heritage last weekend, Car No. 1 was observed undergoing a major overhaul.
*Cars 1 and 2 are recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest operational electric tramcars still conveying passengers on their original route. Both were acquired from builders G.F. Milnes in 1893 for the Douglas and Laxey Coast Electric Tramway and entered service in September of that year.
Following several years of use as permanent way vehicles during the 1970s, both Nos. 1 and 2 had fallen into a state of neglect. In preparation for the Island’s ‘Millennium of Tynwald’ celebrations in 1979, Car 1 underwent a comprehensive rebuild and was repainted in the 1893 livery, bearing the inscription ‘Douglas & Laxey Coast Electric Rly’. On 2 April 1979, the car made its first public appearance, conveying Sir Kenneth Cork, GBE, Lord Mayor of London, from Ramsey to Douglas.
Over the subsequent half-century, and following a similar rebuild of Car No.2, both vehicles have provided regular service during the summer season. During that time, the relatively lightweight timber bodywork of both including No. 1 have developed what could be described as 'pronounced lateral oscillation', attributable in part to a loss of structural rigidity in the bulkheads, a feature which is to be addressed during this latest work.
ABOVE: Car 1 in the bottom shed of Derby Castle Works, Sunday October 11th 2026. Beside is the body of Car 6, removed from its under frame which is undergoing renovation in Derby Castle Top Shed.
As illustrated in the accompanying photographs, the vehicle has been dismantled to expose the frame. The lightweight construction of these pioneering electric tramcars is evident, reflecting their horse-drawn antecedents.
Looking ahead, the bulkheads are to be reinforced to improved rigidity; upon completion, this remarkable machine will be prepared for the proposed ‘Millennium of Tynwald’ Mk II*, scheduled for 2029.
*Following the success of the first Millennium of Tynwald in 1979 (One Thousand Years, One Thousand Welcomes), in reality a marketing campaign which saw a significant uptick in the number of visitors to the Island (650,000), the then MER Society Chairman Mike Goodwyn contacted the Tourist Board to ask when the next Millennium of Tynwald would be? Now we know...