Festival celebrating Manx transport history begins

The six-day festival includes special events on the Isle of Man Steam Railway

A six-day festival celebrating the Isle of Man's heritage transport network that attracts hundreds of railway enthusiasts each year has begun.

The Manx Heritage Transport Festival will run until Sunday and will feature special events on the railways as well as the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway.

This year marks 150 years of the Isle of Man Steam Railway's Port Erin line, and 125 years of the Manx Electric Railway opening to Ramsey.

Charlotte Bennett of Isle of Man Railways said the festival offered a "unique experience" to see the "original and historic forms of Victorian transport" still operated on the island.

The events also provided an opportunity to view "rare rolling stock we do not use on a daily basis", she said.

The Manx Electric Railway forms part of the island heritage transport network

As part of the festival visitors will have the chance to drive a tram in a group class, as well as go on guided tours of workshops in Darby Castle, Laxey and Douglas.

Last year's event attracted hundreds of visitors over the six-day period and there was an "equally strong number this year", with people visiting from around the world, Ms Bennett said.

She said a highlight of the programme was a special event to mark the anniversary of the extension of the steam railway line to the south of the island, which would take place on Saturday.

It will see the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer and Lady Phillipa travel on the "footplate" of a steam train, collecting the captain of each parish along the way.

Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the Isle of Man Steam Railway, and 130 years since the Manx Electric Railway was launched.