Manx Electric Railway rolling stock
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
This page details the rolling stock on the Manx Electric Railway on the Isle of Man, which is unique insofar as the railway still operates with its original tramcars and trailers, all of which are over one hundred years old, the latest dating from 1906. Save for a fire in 1930 in which several cars and trailers were lost, all of the line's original rolling stock remains extant, though many items have been out of use for a number of years, largely due to the decrease in tourism on the island over the last thirty years. Despite this, members of each class are still represented on site today, though not all are in original form or in regular use.
Motors
A total of 33 motor cars were provided to the railway from its inception in 1893 (the last was delivered in 1906), and most of these survive today except where noted below. These tramcars are in a variety of styles, ranging from closed saloons to open toastracks, and were delivered in batches from various manufacturers. Today the serviceable fleet appear in a variety of historical livery styles. There are presently a total of fourteen working cars. Notable among these are their original two, which hold the Guinness World Record as the oldest operational tramcars still in regular use on their original line. Also of note are Winter Saloon No. 22, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1991, and works car No. 34, which began life as a replica works vehicle for the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
| class="wikitable"
!Key: |bgcolor=#ffc0cb|In Storage |bgcolor=#cecece|Serviceable |bgcolor=#87cefa|Scrapped |bgcolor=#98fb98|Undergoing Rebuild |
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!No. !Year !Builder !Type !Livery !Seats !Livery Notes !Notes |
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|align="center"|1 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Unvestibuled |align="center"|Maroon & |align="center"|34 |align="center"|As Delivered |Generally Paired |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|2 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Unvestibuled |align="center"|Maroon & |align="center"|34 |align="center"|As Delivered |Generally Paired |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|3 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Unvestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|34 |align="center"|~ |Lost 1930 Laxey |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|4 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|36 |align="center"|~ |Lost 1930 Laxey |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|5 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|32 |align="center"|Early Co., |~ |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|6 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|36 |align="center"|Edwardian |~ |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|7 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|Blue, Ivory |align="center"|36 |align="center"|"Original" |Rebuilt 2008-2011 |
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|align="center"|8 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|36 |align="center"|~ |Lost 1930 Laxey |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|9 |align="center"|1894 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|36 |align="center"|Non-Standard |Illuminated Car |
| bgcolor=#ffc0cb
|align="center"|10 |align="center"|1895 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|All-Over |align="center"|~ |align="center"|Freight Livery |Freight Car |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|11 |align="center"|1895 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|38 |align="center"|~ |Converted To Cattle |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|12 |align="center"|1895 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|38 |align="center"|~ |Converted To Cattle |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|13 |align="center"|1895 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Vestibuled |align="center"|~ |align="center"|38 |align="center"|~ |Converted To Cattle |
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|align="center"|14 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|56 |align="center"|"Original" |Rebuilt 2015-2018 |
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|align="center"|15 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Standard |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 1973 |
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|align="center"|16 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|House | |
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|align="center"|17 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 1973 |
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|align="center"|18 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|White & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 2000 |
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|align="center"|19 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|48 |align="center"|"Original!" | |
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|align="center"|20 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|48 |align="center"|1970s | |
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|align="center"|21 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|48 |align="center"|Standard | |
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|align="center"|22 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|48 |align="center"|Standard |Destroyed Fire 1990 |
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|align="center"|23 |align="center"|1900 |align="center"|I.o.M.T. |align="center"|Centre-Cab |align="center"|Green |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|I.o.M.T. |Withdrawn 1994 |
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|align="center"|24 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|~ |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Lost 1930 Laxey |
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|align="center"|25 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 1996 |
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|align="center"|26 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 2009 |
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|align="center"|27 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Yellow |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|Non |Withdrawn 2003 |
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|align="center"|28 |align="center"|1898 |align="center"|E.R.T.C. |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 1970 |
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|align="center"|29 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Under Restoration |
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|align="center"|30 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|E.R.T.C. |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 1971 |
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|align="center"|31 |align="center"|1906 |align="center"|E.R.T.C. |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|~ |Withdrawn 2002 |
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|align="center"|32 |align="center"|1906 |align="center"|United Electric |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Green & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|House-Style |Generally Paired |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|33 |align="center"|1906 |align="center"|United Electric |align="center"|Roofed |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|56 |align="center"|House-Style | |
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|align="center"|34 |align="center"|1995 |align="center"|Isle of Man |align="center"|Diesel |align="center"|Grey & |align="center"|~ |align="center"|Non-Standard |Departmental |
Trailers
The ages of the trailer cars are similar to the power cars: they were delivered in batches between 1893 and 1903, with further examples in 1930 replacing stock lost in the shed fire at Laxey that year. The majority of the trailers are of the toastrack style, and there are four saloons (one of which is a rebuilt toastrack converted for disabled access passengers). A total of twenty-one of these trailers are available and in regular use, each carrying a variety of livery styles to match their power cars when possible. Some have had their bodies removed for departmental use{{clarify|date=March 2025}} over the years, while others have been restored to their original condition, carrying original fleet numbers where full restorations have been completed: for instance No.36 now carries the original No.19 number complete with curtains. Early examples were not provided with a roof when built, but roofs were quickly added, as they proved to be practical necessities.
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!Key: |Departmental Use |bgcolor=#ffc0cb|Withdrawn |bgcolor=#cecece|Serviceable |bgcolor=#87cefa|Lost 1930 |bgcolor=#98fb98|Being Rebuilt |
| class="wikitable"
!No. !Year !Builder !Type !Livery !Seats !Livery Notes !Notes |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|34 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|~ |align="center"|44 |align="center"|~ |Lost Shed Fire |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|35 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|~ |align="center"|44 |align="center"|~ |Lost Shed Fire |
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|align="center"|36* |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|44 |align="center"|*Now As |Curtains Fitted 2023 |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|37 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Lined "House" |Generally Paired |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|38 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|~ |align="center"|44 |align="center"|~ |Lost Shed Fire |
| bgcolor=#87cefa
|align="center"|39 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|~ |align="center"|36 |align="center"|~ |Lost Shed Fire |
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|align="center"|40 |align="center"|1930 |align="center"|English Electric Co. |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard |Replacement |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|41 |align="center"|1930 |align="center"|English Electric Co. |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard |Replacement |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|42 |align="center"|1903 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|43 |align="center"|1903 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|44 |align="center"|1903 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard |Generally Paired |
| align="center"|45
|align="center"|1896 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|None |align="center"|Black & |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|Non-Standard |Stripped Down |
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|align="center"|46 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|? |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|47 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|? |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|48 |align="center"|1899 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Blue, Cream |align="center"|? |align="center"|Original |Matches Tunnel |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|49 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toastrack |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Restored To |Generally Paired |
| bgcolor=#98fb98
|align="center"|50 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Plain "House" |Undergoing |
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|align="center"|51* |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toastrack |align="center"|Maroon |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Original |*Now Numbered |
| align="center"|52
|align="center"|1898 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Flatbed |align="center"|Black & |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|Non-Standard |Stripped Down |
| bgcolor=#98fb98
|align="center"|53 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Plain "House" |Last Used 1978 |
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|align="center"|54 |align="center"|1893 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toastrack |align="center"|White & |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Plain "House" | |
| bgcolor=#ffc0cb
|align="center"|55 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|E.R.T.L. |align="center"|Toastrack |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Isle of Man |Last Used 1997 |
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|align="center"|56 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|E.R.T.L. |align="center"|Multi- |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|Varies |align="center"|Standard |Converrted For |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|57 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|E.R.T.L. |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|32 |align="center"|1970s | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|58 |align="center"|1904 |align="center"|E.R.T.L. |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Red, White |align="center"|32 |align="center"|Edwardian | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|59 |align="center"|1895 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Winter |align="center"|Blue, Cream |align="center"|18 |align="center"|As |Royal Trailer |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|60 |align="center"|1896 |align="center"|G.F. Milnes |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red & |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|61 |align="center"|1906 |align="center"|United Electric |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Red & White |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Standard | |
| bgcolor=#cecece
|align="center"|62 |align="center"|1906 |align="center"|United Electric |align="center"|Toast- |align="center"|Green & |align="center"|44 |align="center"|Nationalisation |Now Matches |
Others
; Bertie
: A contractors' locomotive used when relays were being undertaken. Since moved to UK.
; Bungle & Zippy
: Hired second-hand from Bord na Móna in 2008 and refurbished on-island for further use on the railway. Since returned{{clarify|date=March 2025}} to UK.
; Bonner Wagons
: Road-rail dual purpose wagons dating from the earliest days of the line. None of these are extant today.
; Aachen 1010
: A Talbot/Kiepe bogie car from Aachen's series 1001-1011, built in 1956-1957 and retired in 1974. It was bought for use but never converted, and spent much of its life as a storage car at the railway's depot.
; Lisbon 360
: A Brill-Stephenson 1907 bogie car in Lisbon's unusual track gauge of {{Track gauge|900 mm}}, bought for conversion to Manx Electric Railway’s almost identical {{RailGauge|3ft|lk=on}} gauge. The conversion was never implemented due to clearance difficulties; it was used as a passenger waiting shelter for a spell; vehicle now in off-site storage on the island.“[https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/visitors/lisbon-no-360/ Lisbon No.360]” Manx Electric Railway Online
; Dreadnought Trailers
: Bogie open wagons with removable sides used for a variety of non-passenger purposes, but particularly associated with stone traffic from Dhoon Quarry, now all scrapped. General 12 ton capacity bogie vehicles.
; Four Wheel Goods Vehicles
: From 1894 onwards the Douglas and Laxey Electric Tramway and its successors operated a fleet of small four wheel goods wagons, mainly of 5 ton and 6 ton capacity. There were a total of ten opens and eight vans built by Milnes, Milnes Voss, and the MERCo between 1894 and 1912. Some of the vans were painted red and used for mail traffic.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
- {{cite web| url=https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/fleet-list/| website=Manx Electric Railway| title=Fleet List| date=2019}}
- {{cite book| first=Mike| last=Goodwyn| title=Manx Electric| publisher=Platform Five| year=1993| isbn=978-1-872524-52-8}}
- {{cite book| first=Robert| last=Hendry| title=Manx Electric Album| publisher=Hillside Publishing| year=1978| isbn=0-9505933-0-3}}
- {{cite book| first=Norman| last=Jones| title=Isle Of Man Tramways| publisher=Foxline Publishing| year=1994| isbn=1-870119-32-0}}
- {{cite web| url=http://www.gov.im/tourism/attractions/railways/electric_attract.xml| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331091921/http://www.gov.im/tourism/attractions/railways/electric_attract.xml| archivedate=March 31, 2012| website=Isle of Man Government| title=Manx Electric Railway| date=2009}}
- {{cite web| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406105706/http://www.mers.org.im/fleetlist.htm| archivedate=2009-04-06| url=http://www.mers.org.im/fleetlist.htm| title=Manx Manx Electric Railway Fleetlist| date=2002| website=Manx Electric Railway Society}}
- {{cite book| first=Keith| last=Pearson| title=100 Years Of Manx Electric Railway| publisher=Leading Edge| year=1992| isbn=0-948135-38-7}}
- {{cite web| url=http://www.island-images.co.uk/Rail/MER/zElectric.html| website=Island Images| title=Manx Electric Railway Pages| date=2003| first=Jon| last=Wornham}}
{{Historic UK Trams}}
Category:Manx Electric Railway
Category:Heritage railways in the Isle of Man
Category:3 ft gauge railways in the Isle of Man