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, (and for the rather less well remembered Festival of Electric Traction in 1979), Car 1 underwent a comprehensive rebuild and was repainted in the 1893 livery, bearing the inscription ‘Douglas & Laxey Coast Electric Tramway’. 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 recently proposed ‘Millennium of Tynwald’ Mk II*, scheduled for 2029.
Manx Transport Review No.103 recorded the work recently carried out on sister Car No.2, likely a guide to what will happen to No.1:
"Car 2 was taken out of service at the end of September to undergo bodywork. Some body movement has been noticeable, which subsequently was shown to be as a result of worn joints in the woodwork of the bulkheads. Removal of the side panelling revealed that the wood was in very good condition. Both bulkheads have been removed to enable the joints to be strengthened. A small metal frame has been fitted on either side of the saloon door in each bulkhead to add further strength. These have also been bolted to the underfloor cross member. Once the panels are refitted, the metal frames will not be visible. A new corner pillar has been fitted on the seaside of the Douglas end bulkhead. Removal has revealed the complexity of the corner pillar which cannot be fully appreciated when it’s in position. Additional bracing brackets have been attached to two body pillars on each side beneath the longitudinal seats; these will also not be visible. New glazing will be fitted throughout the car. Once the bodywork has been completed, Car 2 will be repainted in its existing 'Douglas and Laxey Coast Electric Tramway' livery.
*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), then MER Society Chairman Mike Goodwyn contacted the Tourist Board to ask given the success of the promotion, when the next Millennium of Tynwald would be? Reply there came none. Now we know...
(RIGHT) Peel's most famous Viking – George Cowley, on the cover of the Tourist Board's 1979 holiday guide.