Tramcar Fleet...
A total of fifty-one tramcars have operated on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway since its opening in 1876. We are fortunate in that some twenty-five of those cars, in both original form and converted types, have survived to the present day, although many in private ownership and some in very poor condition.
The Isle of Man Government (as owner / operator of the horse tramway since 2016) acquired thirteen historical tramcars for the future service - a representative selection of design types and some with historical association. After refurbishment or restoration, the day-to-day service fleet will comprise 'Toastracks' nos. 21, 38 and 42, 'Winter Saloons' nos. 1, 27 and 29, 'Sunshade' no.36, and 'Bulkheads' nos. 43 and 45. The museum fleet will comprise 'Toastrack' no.12, 'Double-decker' no.18, 'Sunshade' no.32 and 'Bulkhead' Royal Tram no.44.
The oldest surviving tramcar bought new for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is 'Toastrack' no. 11, built in 1886 by the Starbuck Car & Wagon Co of Birkenhead. It is currently stored at the Jurby Transport Museum and is in poor condition.
Surviving double-deckers nos. 14 and 18 were both acquired second hand in 1887, but actually were built in 1883 and therefore are the oldest two tramcars. No.14 is on display in the Manx Museum and remains in near original form, whereas no.18 is still in service having been converted into a single deck saloon in 1903 and then back to a double-decker in 1988!
The youngest surviving tramcar, albeit in very poor condition, is a more 'modern' all-weather convertible no.49, which was built in 1935 by Vulcan Motor & Engineering Co of Southport. It is privately owned and currently stored in Ramsey.
All the other remaining tramcars are centenarians, built between 1888 and 1911, making them by far the largest and most historic collection of original horse-drawn tramcars in the world.
To view / download our full Historic Tramcar Listing in PDF format, click here.
To read about the 'Sunshade' Tramcar No.32 Restoration Project which the Trust is supporting, click here.
Know Your Tramcar Design!
We've been referencing a number of different tramcar types on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. The 'Winter Saloons' and open-top 'Double-Deckers' are clear to spot, but how to tell a 'Toastrack', 'Canvas Roof', 'Long Toastrack', 'Sunshade', 'Bulkhead' and 'Convertible'!
We've been referencing a number of different tramcar types on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. The 'Winter Saloons' and open-top 'Double-Deckers' are clear to spot, but how to tell a 'Toastrack', 'Canvas Roof', 'Long Toastrack', 'Sunshade', 'Bulkhead' and 'Convertible'!