Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
Raad Yiarn Cabbyl Vaie Ghoolish
Closed Toastrack No. 35, Loch Promenade
Locale Douglas, Isle of Man
Terminus Derby Castle
Commercial operations
Name Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
Original gauge 3 ft (914 mm)
Preserved operations
Owned by Douglas Town Council
Operated by Douglas Corporation Transport
Stations Various (Hail & Ride)
Length 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
Commercial history
Opened 1 May 1876
Closed 2014
Preservation history
1976 Centenary

The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway on the Isle of Man runs along the seafront promenade for approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km), from the southern terminus at the Victoria Pier, adjacent to the Sea Terminal, to Derby Castle, the southern terminus of the Manx Electric Railway, where the workshops and sheds are located. It a distinctive tourist attraction.

History

The tramway was built and initially operated by Thomas Lightfoot, a retired civil engineer from Sheffield. His service was introduced in 1876 and the line has run every year since, except for a period during the Second World War.[1]

In 1882, Lightfoot sold the line to Isle of Man Tramways Ltd, later the Isle of Man Tramways & Electric Power Co. Ltd, which also owned the Manx Electric Railway. The company went into liquidation in 1900 as a consequence of a banking collapse. The tramway was sold by the liquidator to Douglas Corporation (now Douglas Borough Council) in 1902.

Since 1927 the tramway has run in summer only.[1]

Description

The tramway is 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge, double track throughout, running down the middle of the road. Service is provided by 23 tramcars and some 45 horses.

There have been several types of tramcar, and at least one of each type has been retained. Most services are maintained by "closed toastracks", with winter saloons and open toastracks also in semi-regular service. In summer trams are stabled outdoors overnight adjacent to the Terminus Tavern public house, and there is a purpose-built tramshed where they are stored in winter.

In 2014 it was announced by the Isle of Man Government's Department of Infrastructure that during 2015 the horse tram service along the seafront will be temporarily suspended while resurfacing work on the prom continues into its next phase which runs from Regent Street to Strathallen.

Operational fleet

Horse tram arriving at Strathallan Crescent, Derby Castle on a wet day in 2002

Stored fleet

Some cars that see little use are kept in the sheds adjacent to the station; they are in a number of styles and are maintained to a high standard but see very rare outings, not carrying advertising.

Jurby tramcars

Several cars were stored off-site for a number of years having been moved to a transport museum in the north of the island for display in 2009; No. 22 now serves as a souvenir shop in much the same way as it did when located at the tramway terminus for a number of years. The remaining cars are stored at the museum but as they are privately owned no further work has been carried out to them.

Other tramcars

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Horse trams in the Isle of Man.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Isle of Man Guide - Transportation, Horse Drawn Trams". Maxima Systems. Retrieved 2008-02-08.

Bibliography

  • Heavyside, Tom (2010). Douglas – Laxey – Ramsey: including the Groudle Glen Railway. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 9781906008758.
  • Hendry, Robert (1993). Rails in the Isle of Man: A Colour Celebration, Midland Publishing Limited, ISBN 1-85780-009-5
  • Pearson, Keith (1999). Douglas Horse Tramway - A Millennium Year History, 1st Edition, Adam Gordon, ISBN 978-1-874422-25-9
  • Johnston, Norman. "Douglas Horse Trams in Colour." Omagh: Colourpoint Press, 1995. ISBN 9781898392101.

External links