Steam Railway

Our Steam Railway

Step back in time for a journey you will never forget, experience the grandeur of travelling between Douglas and the south of the Island on a Victorian railway, perfectly frozen in time.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a journey through the beautiful and ever changing Manx countryside thanks to Victorian engineering that has well and truly stood the test of time.

Children will love travelling on the train line especially if they are Thomas the Tank Engine fans. Thomas and the Magic Railroad film was made here on the Isle of Man.

Opened in 1874, this narrow gauge railway still runs with its original locomotives and carriages, through an ever changing landscape, to a choice of destinations in the south of the Island, these include the ancient monastery of Rushen Abbey, the impressive Castle Rushen, the Old House of Keys and the Nautical Museum all within the ancient capital Castletown and within walking distance of the town's station. A really good reason to purchase a Go Explore card. Further down the line there are a number of sheltered, sandy beaches, and the IoM Steam Railway Museum at Port Erin.

A one way journey along the beautiful Manx countryside running the full length from Douglas to Port Erin takes an hour to complete. In July and August, the peak months of the holiday season, there are seven return trains a day through the countryside, one of which is an evening service.

The Steam Railway is a truly unique railway, it's something everyone should experience, allowing you to travel around the south with ease. The railway has been granted a new lease of life and is enjoying all the benefits of the largest reinvestment in renewal, improvement and maintenance since it was built. Like the landscape the steam trains have preserved their identity in an ever changing world.

The Steam Railway Museum, first opened in 1975, is a must for all visitors. Located next to Port Erin Railway Station, the museum houses a collection of locomotives, rolling stock, railway posters, handbills and interpretive displays. Housed within the museum in the former goods shed is the souvenir shop, which stocks all manner of railway-related items.

Bicycles can be taken on board the Steam Railway and the Manx Electric Railway for a small charge subject to space being available. Bicycles are not permitted on the Snaefell Mountain Railway. For more information about this call Isle of Man Railways on +44 1624 662525.

We welcome guide and assistance dogs on our trains free of charge. Dog fares for non-assistance dogs will be as per the fare table, currently 30p per journey or £5 per dog for a full season ticket. A maximum of two leashed dogs are normally allowed in a carriage at any time (see Railways - Standard Conditions for more information).