The railway networks on the Isle of Man could perhaps be viewed as an oddity by some, for they rely entirely on heritage rolling stock to deliver an advertised commuter service – something mainland Britain has long since done away with. On the Southern half of the island, running for 151/2 miles between Douglas and Port Erin, the steam trains continue to weave their way through the countryside and towns as they have done so for the last century and a half. The island before steam was a community of farmers and crofters. Rich mineral deposits led to large mines being established that provided huge quantities of lead and zinc to the industrial north of England, with the mines at Laxey initially using hydropower.
The first instances of steam power on the island were recorded at these mines, which led to its recognition among the islanders.
It also became apparent that a form of ‘mass transit’ was required in order to transport tourists to through the beautiful landscape and to the various attractions, which at that point was done either by horse-drawn cart or on foot. The first mutterings of a railway date back as far as 1860 and appeared to be based on connecting Douglas to the west city of Peel, 12 miles away. Alhough proposals came and went, it wasn’t until 1870 that a meeting took place for all concerned parties, and the outcome of this was to link up the two towns as previously mooted
