Re: Isle of Man

Stretching north from Douglas, the capital and largest city, is the Manx Electric. The line still provides hourly service during the summers using a fleet of vintage trams. There's not one modern piece of rolling stock in sight. Car 5, seen here at the Douglas terminal, is from 1894.



For the most part, the line follows the coastal road from Douglas through Laxey up to Ramsey. There's a giant lit "Electric Railway" sign on the hillside that can be seen for miles - you can't miss it!



The main shops are also in Douglas, just north of the terminal.



A northbound car 19 (1899 build) approaching Groudle Glen station.



Laxey is the interchange point between the Manx Electric and the Snaefells Mountain. While they look compatible, they're not. The MER is 3', the SMR is 3'6". Both, however, share the 550VDC overhead. Interestingly, the SMR was constructed with the help of one of the Manx Northern steam locomotives by laying a third rail during construction. Apparently for the centennial of the line, they laid a bit of 3 rail again to recreate the event, and there's a short stretch of 3 rail at Laxey.