Isle of Man

The Isle of Man (Ostov Man) is very unique in terms of transport history. Six types of rail transport meet here in a small space. Horse tram, 3-foot gauge steam railway, narrow-gauge excursion steam railway, electric tram, mountain tramway and mine railway. All are maintained in excellent condition and in regular operation.

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

The Isle of Man's Douglas Bay Tramway runs along the coastal promenade for approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km), from the southern terminus at Victoria Pier, adjacent to the Isle of Man Terminal, to Derby Castle Station, the southern terminus of the Manx Electric Railway, which houses the workshops and stables. It is a prominent tourist attraction.

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The Isle of Man Railway (IMR) (Manx: Raad Yiarn Vannin)

The Isle of Man Railway (IMR) (Manx: Raad Yiarn Vannin) is a narrow gauge steam railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin. The track has a gauge of 914 mm and is 24.6 km long. It is a much larger network (over 46 miles /74 km) It originally served the western town of Peel, the northern town of Ramsey and the small mining village of Foxdale. Now owned by the government, it uses original rolling stock and locomotives and makes few concessions to modernity.

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Manx Electric Railway

The Manx Electric Railway is an electric intercity tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern end at Derby Castle at the northern end of the Promenade in Douglas and with the Mountain Railway Snaefell in Laxey. The line is undulating and passes through areas of scenic beauty. It is very popular among visitors.

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Snaefell Mountain Railway

The Snaefell Mountain Railway (Manx: Raad-Yiarn Sniaull) is an electric mountain railway on the Isle of Man. It connects the village of Laxey with the summit of Snaefell, 2,036 feet (621 m) above sea level, the highest point on the island. It connects with the Manx Electric Railway (MER) at Laxey. This line is 8 km long, built on 1067 mm gauge and uses the Fell Incline Railway System center rail for braking on steep slopes. It is electrified by means of a catenary line to a direct current of 550 volts, with "bow" current collectors.

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Groudle Glen Railway

Groudle Glen Railway is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge railway near Onchan on the Isle of Man, on the border of Onchan and Lonan, which is owned and operated by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers and operates on summer Sundays; from May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August, along with a number of annual special events.

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Great Laxey Mine Railway

The Great Laxey Mine Railway was originally built to serve the Isle of Man's Great Laxey Mine, an ore mine at Laxey. The gauge of the railway is 19 inches (483 mm) It runs from the entrance of the old mine to the washing works on the right of way. It passes through the last remaining railway tunnel of the Isle of Man (another one at Dhoon West Quarry is disused) under 3 ft (914) mm) gauge Victorian Manx Railway and the A2 Douglas Main Road at Ramsey Coast.

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