The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with large crowds attending a day of festivities.

To mark the anniversary, a special free celebration took place at Strathallan Tram Depot on Friday (August 7), which included family activities, live music, stable tours, special guests, giveaways and the opportunity to meet the famous tram horses and the dedicated team who care for them.

A highlight of the celebrations was the special celebratory cavalcades featuring Tram Car No. 18 – the world’s oldest operating double-decker horse tram, dating back to 1883.

Other activities included face painting, a balloon artist, a colouring competition with fantastic prizes, and live Manx music from Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe and Daniel Quayle.

A special birthday cake-cutting ceremony with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway team also provided a fitting centrepiece to the afternoon, celebrating not only the tramway’s incredible history but also the people who have worked tirelessly over the years to keep this unique service operating.

Talking during the event, Andy Cowie, chief engineer of Isle of Man Railways, said: ‘With the number of road closures, diversions and road works we have all been navigating over recent weeks, it is rather comforting to be celebrating a form of transport that has been causing only gentle congestion in Douglas for 150 years!

‘150 years is a remarkable achievement for any transport system, but the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has always been much more than a way of getting from one end of the promenade to the other.

‘It is part of the character of Douglas, part of the story of our island, and one of the most instantly recognisable heritage attractions anywhere in the world.

‘Today, let us celebrate not only 150 years of service, but 150 years of memories, dedication, friendship, community spirit and determination.’

Horse Tram services still continued throughout the special day
Horse Tram services still continued throughout the special day (John Watterson)
Peter Cannan, who has worked on the trams as a conductor and driver since 1976, cut the cake
Peter Cannan, who has worked on the trams as a conductor and driver since 1976, cut the cake (John Watterson)
A picture was taken of the first trip by tram 27 on Friday morning and later reproduced onto the cake when it was decorated
A picture was taken of the first trip by tram 27 on Friday morning and later reproduced onto the cake when it was decorated (John Watterson)
Tram 18 – the world’s oldest operating double-decker horse tram - sets off!
Tram 18 – the world’s oldest operating double-decker horse tram - sets off! (John Watterson)
Andy Cowie, chief engineer of Isle of Man Railways, provides a speech
Andy Cowie, chief engineer of Isle of Man Railways, provides a speech (John Watterson)
Manx music marked the occasion in style
Manx music marked the occasion in style (John Watterson)
A special 150th anniversary frame was presented
A special 150th anniversary frame was presented (John Watterson)
Different generations of Manx dancers took centre stage
Different generations of Manx dancers took centre stage (John Watterson)