2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the modern railway, born in Britain in the 19^th century!

Railway 200 celebrates how the railway has shaped, and continues to shape, life in the British Isles and hopes to inspire younger generations to choose a career in rail with events all over the nation throughout the year.

The Isle of Man is renowned for its exemplary heritage rail network, so of course there is plenty to look forward to for rail enthusiasts on the Isle of Man this year! The Manx Heritage Transport Festival will take place from the 22^nd July to the 27^th July 2025 and sees a lot of new and exciting events taking place across the Island.

We’ve pulled together some extraordinary events that will be in full swing throughout the week. The full timetable of events can be found here.

Welcome Evening at Port Erin Station with Beyer Line Up

Join representatives of the Isle of Man Railways for an informal welcome to the festival, held at Port Erin Station on the evening of the 22^nd July. A number of Beyer locomotives, the Royal Saloon, and the 1921 ‘Fowler’ Highway Board Road Roller will all be presented, and guides will be available to discuss the festival and its events.

Whistlestop Coffee Shop will be open for refreshments and the Railway Museum (which turns 50 this year) will be offering 50% discount on all stock for the evening only.

You can choose to hop on the express service from Douglas Station to Port Erin, departing Douglas at 5.30pm and departing Port Erin on its return at 9.30pm. Standard rail fares apply and Go Travel cards will be accepted.

Groudle Glen Railway Vintage Day

On the 26^th July the Groudle Glen Railway will host a vintage day of Victorian Nostalgia, with the Sea Lion hauling her original four-wheeled coaches that date from 1896. What’s more, Shed Tours can be pre-booked here for just £10.00, allowing visitors to take a peek behind the scenes and learn more about the railway’s history and its incredible restoration.

Isle of Man Steam Railway Double Header Day

This event, held on the 27^th July, will see a selection of ‘Double Header’ and ‘Banked Trains’. The first double header of the day will both the No.4 ‘Loch’ and the No. 13 ‘Kissack’ heading off to Castletown, the second engine will be detached at Castletown and will join the rear of the 10.27am service back to Douglas as a banked train. The day will present some wonderful photo opportunities of the different train combinations! Standard rail fares will apply and Go Travel card will be accepted.

Twin Horse Toastrack

On the 27^th July the 1905 G.C. Milnes Voss Toastrack No.42 will be in operation, with the exciting bonus of two horses pulling it, rather than the usual one. The service will be departing from Derby Castle Station throughout the day, with standard fares applying and Go Travel cards accepted.

Dining Cars- Pie and Mash Train and Sausage and Mash Train

For just £37 per person, you can ride the beautifully restored Dining Car for a pie and mash dinner on the 24^th July, or a sausage and mash dinner on the 25^th July. Both services will feature an on-board quiz, the prize being a special Isle of Man Railways footplate ride the following day. Find information on how to book here.

Peel Line Closed Lines Bus Tour

This tour sees a bus leaving Douglas Railway Station on the 24^th July at 10.00 before touring the closed Lines, returning by 16.30. There will be a commentary on route, multiple walking sections, and highlights including the Knockaloe Camp Line, Manx Northern Railway Stations, and the former Peel Station. Packed lunches are advised! Tickets can be purchased for just £30 per person, find out more information here.

The Snaefell Mountain Railway Shuffler

This track tour celebrates not only Railway 200, but also 130 years of the Snaefell Mountain Railway! The tour starts at the rear of the sidings at Laxey Station, before heading to The Bungalow and then the summit, also featuring travel on one of the Snaefell car shed roads to the shed doors. Multiple aspects will be covered, including the crossovers to the North and South, the buffers, and the sidings. The trip leaves Laxey at 18.30 and returns by 20.30 on the 26/7/25 and costs £17 per person, with ticket information here.

The Return of Trailer No. 50

Trailer No.50 makes its grand return back into service for the first time since 1978, after being meticulously restored by the Manx Electric Railway volunteers. Paired with the nationalised green Car No.32, there will be plenty of memorable photo opportunities. The tram will be leaving Derby Castle at 11.50 and returning by 17.00 on the 22^nd July. Tickets can be purchased here for £17 per person.

With so many events going on, we can’t cover them all in one blog post! Make sure you check out the official timetable to make the most of this exciting festival!