Saturday, December  7, 2024
You are here: Isle of Man > Information > Transportation
Steam Railway

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

More >>>

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 near Castletown

Steam Train at Douglas Station

Steam Train over Nunnery Bridge, Douglas

Steam Train

Steam Train at Port Erin Station

Steam Train at Castletown Station

Other Guides by Maxima Systems Ltd: Disney World