Great Western Coffee Shop

http://www.douglas.gov.im/index.php/news/council-news/item/968-the-end-of-an-era-almost


Lest we forget ... the need to keep an eye on things.   Wexford to Waterford.  Victoria Pier to Derby Castle. And I can remember in quite recent times that trains ran directly from Bristol to Hereford, and direct from Swindon to Oxford.

Perhaps a single line with a passing place in the middle is good enough for Douglas, but I can't imagine a line with that structure supporting more that a 4-vehicle service when (the article tells us) they have 21 trams.

Ah the march of progress.  At least they didn't choose the zero option and scrap the system all together. I had noticed over the last ten years, or so, that the tramway was becoming more run down and in need of some serious attention.  I would guess that maintenance was being deferred until this day. The report referred to above talks about several crossing loops and I have never seen more than six units out at one time.

Back in 1961 in conjunction with a complete rebuild of the ship terminal a tramway extension into the terminal complex was the newest piece of horse tramway constructed in the world. Sadly it didn't last long in use before an increase in traffic saw the trams cut back short of the terminus and finally when the large roundabout was constructed in the 1990's, the tracks completely tarred over including the tram bay terminus. I see from Google maps now, that its site has been completely obliterated.

A bolder move, also on the cards I believe - though now rejected, would have been to extend the Manx Electric Railway to a more central terminus by the Victoria Clock tower on the central promenade.  The Isle of Man and its transport systems has always been my favourite.  So many in such a small beautiful island, neither part of the UK nor the EU.