Events

Experience the night sky at the summit with the Isle of Man Astronomical Society where the pie is as good as the sky. Following supper in the Snaefell Summit Restaurant, members of the IOMAS will give a brief presentation showing features of interest in the Manx night sky. Guests will then venture outside for an outdoor viewing session using telescopes provided by the Society. An explanation will be given of the many features visible through the telescopes and with the naked eye.

£33 per person including supper, an evening of astronomy and return tram travel.

A Feast of Planets

Friday 28 & Saturday 29 September

Moon, Mars & Meteors

Saturday 20 October

For details of Tram times and to book your unique Astronomical Dining experience at the Summit please call +44 1624 662525 or click the button below to make your online reservation.

An experience on our heritage railways will ensure that your event stands out from the rest. Whatever your milestone, be it an anniversary, birthday, corporate event or any celebration, we can help you celebrate in style and make your day truly memorable.

A spectacular journey through beautiful Manx countryside, aboard one of our steam trains, the Manx Electric Railway or Snaefell Mountain tram will ensure your event is talked about and remembered by all.

You and your guests can book a private train, hire the Dining Car, Victorian tram or Snaefell Dining experience for the event, specially scheduled to suit your plans.

All packages can be tailored to meet your requirements, contact us on HireMe@gov.im and we will see what we can do to deliver a truly extra special event.

Group travel

Discounts are available for parties of 20 or more people travelling together. Contact the Charter Co-ordinator, David Thornton, David.Thornton@gov.im

Open midday to 4pm every Sunday when the MER is operating. 

The museum is located adjacent to Derby Castle tram sheds.

Admission is free.

The Manx Electric Railway Museum was opened by volunteers on 1 June 2014. 

Its collection was brought together by Derby Castle workshop supervisor Steve Hall. The museum has a wealth of historical artefacts that were discovered in tidy-ups of the workshops or in people’s sheds. Others were in storage at Banks Circus – Public Transport headquarters.

The museum has information boards about the beginnings of the trams and items for people to handle including an old controller and armature – part of a tram’s motor. 

IoM Railways regrets that access to the museum is not suitable for people with disabilities. There is no public parking adjacent to the site, which is a short walk from the north end of Douglas promenade. 

Established in 1975 the Railway Museum charts the history of the Steam Railway from its inception in 1873, including the now disused lines to Peel, Ramsey and Foxdale. It can be found next door to Port Erin Station at the southern end of the line.

It is home to a fine collection of steam locomotives plus the Royal Train carriage which carried The Queen and Queen Mother in 1963 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. There are also memorabilia, posters and interpretive displays. 

Open from 9.30am to 4.30pm on days the Steam Railway operates.

Admission is £2 adults, £1 children. Free admission with a Go Explore Heritage card. 

Expert guides from our Heritage Railway Volunteers are generally on hand on Sunday mornings from 11am to 1pm to offer informative tours of the museum. Additionally, guides are available on Thursday evenings between 7.30pm and 9pm from 17 May until 27 September 2018.

The museum also boasts an extensive souvenir shop that is home to the Isle of Man’s only railway simulator. Unveiled in summer 2016, the Drive the Diesel simulator experience costs £5 for a 15 minute session or £10 for the enthusiast level training.

The Ultimate Driving Experience on the Isle of Man is driving a Victorian steam train or electric tram.

The continued success of the Ultimate Driving Experiences is down to enabling members of the public the chance to experience driving one of our historic electric trams or steam locomotives.

Each event is run over one day and includes safety briefings, history and theory tuition and the chance to drive one of our trams between Laxey and Ramsey, or a steam train from Castletown to Port Erin.

To book call  +44 1624 697419. As there are limited dates available, bookings are made on a first come first served basis.

Below are some customer testimonials, after experiencing the Ultimate Driving Experience.

• 'Thank you for such an unforgettable day, if we lived in Laxey we would undoubtedly sign up for additional courses (but it's a long way from Seattle).'
  
  
• 'The UDE was everything that I could have possibly hoped for, the format of the day was perfect, and I cannot think of any way that it could be improved.'
  
  
• 'I've just got back from a splendid day playing with No 7 on the MER.'
  
  
• 'Just returned home to Sweeden from a short holiday, of which the highlight was undoubtedly the UDE on the MER.'
  
  

Railway Museum, Port Erin

Simulator drives are available from 10am to 4pm on days the steam railway operates.

To book call 836855.

Two driving experiences suitable for all ages*

Driving training level 1 - £5

• Learn to drive No 21
• Move carriages from Port St Mary to Port Erin
• Shunt carriages at Douglas Station

Session lasts 15 minutes.   

Driver training level 2 - £10

For the enthusiast.  Complete all level 1 tasks plus extend your driver training to drive from Douglas to Port Soderick and back.

Session lasts 30 minutes.

*Younger children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Some  wheelchairs can be accommodated. Drivers need to operate a hand held control
and must not touch the screens. Advance bookings should arrive a minimum of 5 minutes ahead of time. Drive times cannot be held for latecomers.
Please note, the Drive the Diesel No. 21 simulator experience is for leisure purposes only and does not qualify certificate holders to drive any locomotive.

9, 15, 16 & 22 December 2018

Take the Santa Express to Santon to see Santa in his Grotto. Children receive a gift and the whole family can enjoy seasonal refreshments on board the Dining Car.

£15.00 per person. 0-1 year olds travel free.

December to January 2018-19

Whether a sparkling reception, a Christmas team night out or a get-together with friends or family, we have Christmas all wrapped up on the Dining Car. Enjoy festive champagne or cocktails alongside our Christmas food. We offer sit down lunches and dinners or a variety of Christmas events and party nights, this combined with our festive service is sure to be a very Merry Christmas.

For more information Click Here 

To Book call +44 1624 697457

A series of special events is planned around the end of the horse tram season this year, to mark the final day of service along the current historical track. The last day of service will be Sunday 21 October, the season closing slightly earlier than usual to allow work to start on the Douglas Promenade Refurbishment programme.

Events will include:

• Double deck tramcar No. 18 will be taken on two return trips pulled by a pair of horses at 10.15am and 11.15am.
  
  
• Volunteers will offer tours of the stables to meet the tram horses, known as trammers, up close and see what the future holds for Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. Stables open 10am-2pm, with guided tours at 11.30am and 1.30pm.
  
  
• All 20 Clydesdale and Shire heavy draught horses will come together for a photo opportunity at Derby Castle at 2.15pm. This will lead into a cavalcade of trams and horses with lead volunteer Stuart Mullan providing an account of each horse and tram as they depart Derby Castle.
  
  
• The historic last tram service, using Tram 18 with one horse, will depart at 5.30pm. This service will require a premium ticket of £10 per adult and £5.00 for children. A commemorative certificate will be issued to each passenger. Go Cards will not be accepted on this service. To make a reservation please call +44 1624 697457

Our ever popular Murder Mystery Trains out you at the heart of a thrilling murder case. Crack the clues and makes and make sure the killer gets his just desserts before yours is served.

Date: Saturday 27 October 2018

Price: £49 per person – Price includes

Departs: Douglas 7pm, returns by 10:30pm 

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Join us for a family-friendly meal on board the Hop-tu-Naa spooky lunch train. Why not dress up and join in the fun!

Date: Saturday 27, Monday 29, Tuesday 30 & Wednesday 31 October 2018

Price: £14 per adult, £9 per child (Under 12s) – Price includes 2 courses and return travel to Castletown.

Departs: Douglas 12:30pm, returns by 2:40pm

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Enjoy a two course supper on your way to Port Erin. Featuring a selection of home produced pies, mushy peas and gravy followed by a range of desserts. Fully-stocked bar on board.

There is space available on this train for non-diners. Standard rail fares apply.

The Pie and Mash Train is available on the following Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the season:

20 & 27 September 2018

4 & 18 October 2018

1 November 2018

Price: £26 per person (Price includes 2 courses and return travel to Port Erin).

Departs: Douglas 7pm, returns by 10:30pm 

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Let the train take the strain and enjoy a traditional three course Sunday lunch with family and friends as you travel through the stunning Isle of Man countryside aboard The Dining Car.

Dates:

6 & 21 October 2018

Price: £30 per adult, £15 per child between 4-12 years (Price includes 3 courses and return travel to Castletown).

Departs: Douglas 12:30pm, returns by 2:40pm

Special Sunday lunches are available on Mothering Sunday, Easter Sunday and Father’s Day.

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Relax with friends on our ever popular Curry Club Train. Choose from a selection of authentic homemade curries and a range of desserts. Fully stocked bar on board.

Dates:

28 September 2018

12 & 26 October 2018

3 November 2018

Price: £26 per person – Price includes 2 courses and return travel to Castletown

Departs: Douglas 7pm, returns by 10:30pm

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Relax and enjoy a sharing platter of homemade tapas based on traditional Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. Fully-stocked bar on board.

Dates:

21 September 2018

19 October 2018

Price: £26 per person – Price includes sharing menu and return travel to Castletown.

Departs: Douglas 7pm, returns by 10:30pm

For more information or to make your reservation call 697457

Our popular Dining Cars of the World return for the 2018 season offering you the chance to experience fine cuisine from around the world.

£64 per person including five course dinner, a complementary drink and return train travel to Castletown.

Saturday 13 October

To make your reservation call Anne on 697457.