Trust News - Douglas Bay Tramway Heritage Trust

Renewed Interest In Upper Douglas Cable Tramway

posted 23 Nov 2018, 13:37 by Douglas Bay Tramway [ updated 23 Nov 2018, 13:39 ]

The restoration and display of one of the original Upper Douglas Cable Tramway's cable pulley wheels near to the Sea Terminal has created a renewed interest in this long closed public transit system which last ran in 1929. Throughout its existence, the Cable Tramway was both physically and financially linked to the operation and profitability of the Horse Tramway.

The Trust has added new information pages on its website which outline the history and operation of the Cable Tramway with a selection of historical photographs. The Trust is also helping to develop plans for guided walks along the tramway route in 2019, highlighting landmark buildings and lost features.

To view the new webpages, click here.

Equine Breed Information Panels

posted 23 Apr 2018, 10:30 by Douglas Bay Tramway [ updated 27 Apr 2018, 09:34 ]

The Trust has provided two breed information panels which are wall-mounted in the Upper Stables at Summer Hill Tramway Stables. The information panels will inform visitors about the Clydesdale and Shire Horse breeds, in particular their key characteristics, breed history, appearance, modern-day uses and vulnerability to breed loss in the UK.

The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway currently has more than twenty pure-bred and cross-bred Clydesdale and Shire Horses. Modern-day working roles for heavy draught horses in the heritage transport, leisure, forestry and agricuture sectors not only helps to maintain health and fitness, it forms an important part of heavy draught breed conservation.

Clydesdales remain on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (a UK charity) watchlist as a 'vulnerable' breed whilst Shires, although greater in number, are still considered an 'at risk' breed. There are only about 700 breedable Clydesdale mares left in the British Isles.

New Information Cards for Tram Horses

posted 31 Mar 2018, 04:10 by Douglas Bay Tramway [ updated 10 Apr 2018, 08:58 ]

The Trust has produced a full set of Tram Horse information cards to mount on the stall doors in the Tramway Stables. Alongside a photograph of each horse, the new 'Trammer Cards' provide visitors with profile information including place and year of birth, breed, colour, markings and observations, as well as when each horse started pulling Tramcars.

The aim of the new 'Trammer Cards' is to help the public engage more with individual Tram Horses when visiting the stables. Further information signage is planned over the coming months.

The Tramway Stables are open to the public when the Horse Tramway is operating. Guided 'Meet the Trammers' tours are available on selected dates throughout the season. See timetable and leaflets for more information or visit www.rail.im.

New Support Charity for Horse Tramway

posted 1 Mar 2018, 07:19 by Douglas Bay Tramway [ updated 13 May 2018, 10:39 ]

Douglas Bay Tramway Heritage Trust is a heritage conservation charity established to help promote and support the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, its draught horses and its historic tramcars.

The Trust will be working with the Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man Transport and other stakeholders to help develop and maintain a secure and sustainable future for the Horse Tramway as a heritage transport service and visitor attraction. As well as doing promotional and educational work, the charity aims to provide financial help with some of the many different resources required to maintain the Horse Tramway, its draught horses and its historic tramcars. The Trust will also be supporting the continued participation of the Tram Horses in traditional events and activities like agricultural shows and vintage ploughing.