Isle of Man Guide - TRANSPORTATION, Steam Railway

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Open:	Summer Season: Mar 9th - Nov 5th 2018: Daily, See Rail Timetable Santa Trains: TBA
Price:	PRICES FOR 2018 Returns from £5.20 Douglas to Port Erin Return £12.40 Children 5 - 15 HALF PRICE Children under 5 FREE (restrictions apply)
Disabled:	Limited Access
Parking:	Ample

History

Only one line of a once vast Steam Railway system remains on the Isle of Man. Originally built in the late 1800's the 3 feet track gauge lines covered about fifty miles. Now only the southern line, operating since 1874 continues. It covers around 15 miles from Douglas to Port Erin. Saved by the Marquis of Ailsa, who bravely funded the continuation of the line after competition from other forms of transport threaten the line with closure in the 1960's. The line was taken over by the Manx Government in the 1970's to run as a tourist attraction. The Southern Steam Railway line still runs as the longest narrow gauge steam line in British Isles. The trains date from 1874 and are maintained largely by local workshops and smithy.

Location

Douglas:	Start/End Stop
Port Soderick:	Stop
Santon:	Request Stop
Ballasalla:	Stop
Ronaldsway:	Request Stop
Castletown:	Stop
Ballabeg:	Request Stop
Colby:	Stop
Level:	Request Stop
Port St Mary:	Stop
Port Erin:	Start/End Stop

Travelling on the Steam Railway

For most the journey begins in Douglas at the old Victorian Station. There you will find a true beginning for a railway frozen in time. As you make your way to the board, there are often two or more options of seating. An open carriage for about twenty people to sit in and first and second class carriages which are divided into sections seating about six each. There is no prior arrangements for seating. It is first come, first served. After making your selection you just have to wait for departure.

The train passes through the countryside. From all sides are trees, grasslands and farms. In the distant on one side, the sea. Never has there been a more pleasant way to travel 15 miles. The journey from start (Douglas/Port Erin) to end (Port Erin/Douglas) takes about 60 minutes. The time will go fast, if you enjoy taking in the views, chatting or reading and are not too bothered by the rolling shake of the carriage.

Related News Articles

Railway Services 17th January 14 January 2013
The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has confirmed that the Manx Electric Railway (MER) and Isle of Man Steam Railway will operate when bus drivers recommence strike action on Thursday 17 January. [More]
DCCL confirm that buses, steam railway and MER will operate during bus driver strike 14 December 2012
The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure can confirm that it has received formal notification from Unite the Union that their bus driving members have voted in favour of conducting industrial action and they have advised that the strike will begin on Thursday 20 December 2012 and last for 3 days. [More]
All Aboard the Santa Trains to Christmas in Castletown 28 November 2011
If you’re making plans for the festive season, be sure not to miss this year’s Santa trains which will take you on a magical journey to Christmas in Castletown and Santa’s magical Christmas Kingdom at Castle Rushen. [More]
Railway Rolling Stock event on 30 September to celebrate refurbished saloon carriages 19 September 2011
Two newly refurbished steam railway saloon carriages will be officially launched on Friday 30 September as part of Isle of Man Railways’ new Rolling Stock event. [More]
Island At War event on the steam railway this weekend 17 August 2011
The Island will be at war over the weekend (August 20 and 21) when a 1940s themed event is held on the steam railway. [More]

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Publications
	Railways Of The Isle Of Man Beckmann Visual Publishing, VHS Tape, 08 March, 1993 List Price: £14.99 Third Party Price: £6.99 Buy Now More Info
	Manx Trains And Trams [2001] Charles Guard Duke Video, DVD, 19 April, 2004 List Price: £14.99 New Price: £14.99 Used Price: £20.83 Third Party Price: £9.74 Buy Now More Info
Rails in the Isle of Man, a Colour Celebration R.Powell Hendry Midland Publishing, Hardcover, 22 April, 1993 ISBN: 1857800095 List Price: £14.99 Used Price: £7.00 Buy Now More Info
Isle of Man Railways: A Celebration Richard Kirkman, Peter Van Zeller Raven Books, Board book, June, 1993 ISBN: 0952162407 List Price: £8.95 New Price: £10.94 Used Price: £4.99 Buy Now More Info
Railway Track Diagrams: Scotland and the Isle of Man No. 1 (Railway Track Diagrams) John Yonge, Gerold Jacobs Quail Map Co, Paperback, 29 June, 2001 ISBN: 1898319510 List Price: £8.50 Buy Now More Info
Manx Peacocks: Profile of Steam on the Isle of Man Railway David Lloyd-Jones Atlantic Transport Publishers, Hardcover, July, 1998 ISBN: 0906899958 List Price: £18.99 Used Price: £9.25 Buy Now More Info
	Isle of Man Classic Steam: Isle of Man Railway in Colour from the 1950's to the Ailsa Era Robert Robotham Colourpoint Books, Hardcover, 25 July, 1998 ISBN: 1898392439 List Price: £13.99 Used Price: £80.00 Buy Now More Info
	Manx Railways and Tramways (Sutton's Photographic History of Railways) Edward Gray Sutton Publishing Ltd, Paperback, 12 March, 1998 ISBN: 0750918276 List Price: £10.99 Used Price: £39.25 Buy Now More Info
The Railways and Tramways of the Isle of Man Robert Smith, Barry Edwards OPC Railprint, Hardcover, 19 April, 1993 ISBN: 0860935078 List Price: £18.99 Used Price: £27.95 Buy Now More Info
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Barry Edwards B&C Publications, Hardcover, April, 1996 ISBN: 0952775603 List Price: £6.95 Used Price: £5.50 Third Party Price: £33.95 Buy Now More Info
Isle of Man Steam Trains Ted Gray Northern Publishing Services, Card Book, December, 1995 ISBN: 1899181113 List Price: £3.50 New Price: £5.49 Buy Now More Info
	Isle of Man Steam Railway in Colour Peter Johnson Ian Allan Ltd, Hardcover, 28 May, 1998 ISBN: 0711025703 List Price: £9.99 Used Price: £22.00 Buy Now More Info

Steam Train over Nunnery Bridge, Douglas

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