'Toastracks' first arrived in 1884 and eventually became the most numerous type of tramcar on the Horse Tramway. Open to the elements on the sides and ends, when delivered they all had eight cross-benches with flip-over seat backs.

The outermost two benches have tall upright fixing posts onto which were mounted metal over-arch brackets with oil lamps suspended centrally, as seen preserved on no.12 today. The lamps and brackets later gave way to arched wooden advert boards.

The tramcar design reminded visitors of the toast caddies on their B&B guest house breakfast tables, hence the 'Toastrack' nickname which has stuck since Victorian times. 

Douglas Corporation extended the length of a number of 'Toastracks' in the 1930s to increase their seating capacity from 32 to 40, adding two extra cross-benches.

'Long Toastracks' nos.21, 38, 39 & 42 remain with the Tramway fleet, noticeably long in appearance and tending to bow towards each end. 

Three 'Toastracks' (no.22 to 24) were modified by Douglas Corporation in 1908/9 by fitting ridge-mounted retractable canvas roof blinds to add a modicum of protection from the Manx summer sunshine when needed! They were subsequently fitted with fixed canvas pitched roofs in the 1920s.

These are 'Canvas Roofed Toastracks', no.22 survives at the Jurby Transport Museum, albeit further converted during the 1970s into a mobile souvenir shop for the Tramway. 

Six 'Sunshades' (no.32 to no.37) arrived in 1896, originally open on the sides and ends like the early 'Toastracks' and with the same 32 seat capacity, but with a lightweightb boarded roof affixed onto eight upright posts (four each side) and delicately curved roof eavesboards.

No.36 was lengthened in 1908 with the addition of two extra cross-benches and fitted with glazed bulkheads at each end to create segregated driver space. The other five 'Sunshades' had similar glazed bulkheads fitted in the 1960's.

All but one (no.35) of the 'Sunshades' survive to date. No.36 is in service with the Tramway having been fully restored in 2017.  No.32 is in the process of a full restoration.  

Five 'Bulkhead' tramcars (no.43 to no.47) were delivered to the tramway between 1907 and 1911, a heavier design of tramcar with 40 seat capacity from the outset, still with cross benches and open on the sides, but with glazed bulkheads at each end to segregate the driver space and a boarded roof affixed onto sixteen upright posts (eight each side).

When delivered, these tramcars also had canvas roller blinds fitted between the upright posts on each side, affording protection for the interior of the tramcar when not in operation. The upright posts had machined grooves which assisted in securing the roller blinds, a feature omitted on no.45 when it was restored for service.  

The number of upright posts is the most discernible difference between the 'Bulkheads' (8 posts each side) and the 'Sunshades' (4 posts each side) seen in service today.

The last tramcars to be purchased were the 'Convertibles' (no.48 to no.50), a set of three built with steel underframes, removable glazed side shutters which could be stored onboard the tram, and cross bench seats which could be extended outwards when the side shutters were not in place.

These were noticeably rectangular in profile and became known as the 'Tomato Boxes'.

The first two double-deck cars (no.2 & no.3) were purchased for the opening of the tramway in 1876 which initially had 32-seat capacity. Three more cars to similar design (but fitted with quarter turn stairs) were purchased in 1882 (no.4) and 1883 (no.5 & no.6), followed by two more built to a lengthened design in 1884 with 36-seat capacity (no.7 & no.8).  These early cars were modified by the Tramway: no.2 & no.3 with the fitting of quarter-turn stairs, all with the fitting of leathercloth screens and extended dash panels on the end platforms to allow additional seating under the stairs and boarding at each end from one side only, as seen in the photo above.

In 1887 the tramway purchased six larger double-deck cars (no.13 to no.18) second-hand from the South Shields Tramway. These were of 42-seat capacity (later 44-seat).

Sadly none of the original double-deckers have survived, being scrapped between 1948 and 1949 (no.7 in 1924).  But two of the later larger double-deckers have survived - no.14 is on display in the Manx Museum; no.18 is still in service on the tramway.

For the opening of the tramway in 1876, Thomas Lightfoot had ordered a single-deck saloon car (no.1) with 16 seat capacity for use during quieter winter months. Unfortunately no photographs of the tram in its early service are known; it was converted into a double-deck tram in 1884 and then scrapped in 1900.

Three larger elegant winter saloon cars (no.27 to 29) were purchased in 1892 with 24 seat capacity in the compartment, soon increased to 30 seat capacity with the addition of glazed end vestibules by 1895.  No.27 & no.29 remain in service on the tramway having been completely rebuilt. No.28 also survives having previously been sold and exported to Spain.

A further winter saloon car (replacement no.1) was acquired new in 1913 with 30 seat capacity, glazed end vestibules and a 'modern' steel underframe. This vintage car as seen in the photo above remains in the tramway fleet, albeit now requiring conservation work.