Heritage Railways
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Railway Suspension
2020 Season
Isle of Man Railway – Suspended until further notice – Season due to close 1 November 2020
Manx Electric Railway - Suspended until further notice – Season due to close 1 November 2020
Snaefell Mountain Railway - Suspended until further notice – Season due to close 1 November 2020
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway – Suspended until further notice – Season due to close 21 September 2020
Transport Festival Update 6 May 2020
In March we announced all of our railways would cease operation until further notice. Due to ongoing turbulent times we have taken the decision to postpone and re-work this years’ Transport Festival.
However following the massive success of the Virtual Rush Hour event on Facebook earlier this year we are delighted to announce that we will be working alongside Isle of Man Heritage Railways Volunteers and Manx Electric Railway Online to bring you a bigger and better Virtual Transport Festival.
The online festival will also welcome Groudle Glen Railway, The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, The Orchid Line at the Wild Life Park, Crogga Valley Railway, and the Great Laxey Mines Railway.
The virtual festival will be held over the same dates, 29 July – 2 August 2020. More details about what has been planned and how you can join in will be announced closer to the event. We can also confirm that the dates for next year’s Transport Festival will be 28 July – 1 August 2021.
Many of the big spectacles we had planned, including moving Caledonia to Knockaloe, we hope to postpone to next years’ festival to allow people to visit in person. Any customers who have already booked on any of our activities will be contacted by a member of the transport team shortly.
Even though our railways may not be open currently, why not treat yourself, your friends and your loved ones to their very own Isle of Man Railways souvenirs through our online shop. Perfect for visitors who haven’t been able to come over yet this year, or for locals who are missing the railways as much as we are. Visit our online shop to see some of our best sellers and new product lines.
We thank you for all your support for the railways during these difficult times. While we are disappointed not to be able to welcome our visitors in person to the event this year, we are excited to see what the Virtual Transport Festival has to offer and we are sure you will not be disappointed.
Go Platinum Railway Cards Validity
With the ongoing suspension of our heritage railway services, Isle of Man Railways would like to offer our Go Platinum railway card holders the opportunity to have an extra year of travel.
If your Go Platinum Rail, Go Platinum Steam or Go Platinum Electric card was activated in March 2020 please contact us and we will be happy to extend the validity of your card until the end of the 2021 railway season to make up for the time we have been closed.
If your card hasn’t yet been activated, your card is still valid for a whole year’s travel from the first time you scan it on one of our ticket machines.
We hope that this will satisfy our customers and allow card holders to fully enjoy the benefits of Go Platinum cards when we are up and running again.
To take up this offer please email gocards@gov.im including your Go Platinum card number, or phone 697400. We will of course refund unused cards on request.
Railway Map
the red line on the map is the Steam Railway line- the green line is the Snaefell Mountain Railway
- the blue line is the Manx Electric Railway
Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by the Island's railways and the feature film Thomas and the Magic Railroad was filmed on the Isle of Man.
It's possible to see the majority of the Island by travelling on the railway network and many of the Island's heritage attractions are also located near to the railway stops making it easy to get around.
A range of cost effective multi-journey Go cards can be purchased and the Go Explore card entitles the holder to unlimited travel on scheduled services of:
- Steam Railway,
- Manx Electric Railway,
- Snaefell Mountain Railway,
- Douglas Horse Trams and
- Buses (except the Manx Express routes; half fare applies on premium Hullad Oie Night Owl services)
The Island is one of the very few places in the world where you can travel between February and November on steam and electric railways, which are over a century old.
Special events - All railway dining events are cancelled until the end of July 2020
We also provide a range of special events e.g. Santa Trains, Valentines Train. You can also hire trains for special corporate or family events.
For an experience of a lifetime, a range of Ultimate Driving Experiences are available.
For more information on events please check our Events page.
Please view our full Conditions of Carriage and Passenger Regulations.
Avoid delays or disappointment
Our railways are very popular and a favourite attraction. During special events, the peak holiday season and fine weather days we can be very busy.
To avoid any unnecessary travelling between stations and possible disappointment, during office hours call our MER control station at Laxey on +44 1624 861226 or Douglas Steam Station on +44 1624 673623 for travel updates and information on advance and group bookings.
