ISLE OF MAN: Manx Electric Railway & more
20. - 26. September 2026

My tour to the Isle of Man in autumn 2026 offers the opportunity to take some photos of the excellently preserved vehicles there, which are not possible to shoot in scheduled service. We will focus intensively on the cars and lines of the Manx Electric Railway, with which we will organize multiple train operations and a freight train. With different compositions and starting points in Derby Castle and Laxey, I will offer you many unique photo opportunities. The horse-drawn tram in Douglas and the Snaefell Railways are also part of the itinerary!

The MER's double-track, 3-foot gauge line runs from the northern end of Douglas Promenade to Ramsey and offers spectacular views of the sea. The route largely follows the coast, winding around tight curves and climbing steep gradients, while miles of beautiful scenery pass by. Operations will be as they were in Victorian and Edwardian times. Like most of the island's railways, the MER still operates original rolling stock – the newest date back to 1906, and the original tramcars 1 and 2 date back to the opening in 1893. The latter are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest regularly operating tramcars in the world. 18 trams and trailers are currently in service.

Tour Program:
20. September 2026, Sunday:
Upon arrival at the Isle of Man Airport (IOM), transfer to the hotel by pre-booked taxi. I will reserve your taxi regardless of your arrival time; the taxi fare is included in the tour price. If many participants arrive at the same time, I will arrange a bus-transfer. Overnight stay in Douglas.

21. September 2026, Monday:
In September, the official tourist season is already over, and the railways have more flexibility for special requests... perfect for our charter trains! Today we start the day with a charter on the horse-drawn tram along the promenade in Douglas; I have requested two of the rarely used tramcars. We shall also visit the horse tram depot. Overnight stay in Douglas, breakfast included.

22. September 2026, Tuesday:
Our first photo-charter on the MER (Manx Electric Railway) starts today with the beautiful carriage #33, a matching trailer car, and carriage #4 in tow. Spectacular photo opportunities await us on the coastal line. In the evening, a night photography session at the legendary Derby Castle depot of the MER will take place. Overnight stay in Douglas, breakfast included.

24. September 2026, Wednesday:
Today´s activities are dedicated to the Snaefell Mountain Railway, an electric mountain railway from Laxey to the summit of 621m high Mount Snaefell. The SMR is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles and one of the last remaining narrow gauge (1067mm) railways in Europe. The five-mile-long line has an adventurous route, with gradients ranging from 10‰ to 120‰. The railway is electrified with 550V DC. A special feature is the center rail, which serves as a braking rail (Fell system). We will travel to and from Laxey with the regular MER trains. If desired, some hikes in the mountains will offer some of the best photo opportunities from the hills along the railway line. Overnight stay in Douglas, breakfast included.

25. September 2026, Thursday:
Today is MER-day again: Manx Electric Railway car #7, trailers 8 and 10, and van #11 will be available for our photo excursion from Derby Castle to Laxey and back. In Laxey, we will also take more photos of the MER and SMR vehicles. Overnight stay in Douglas, breakfast included.

26. September 2026, Friday:
We will operate cars #1 and #2 in parallel today to recreate the typical passing scenes on the most scenic double-track section of the Manx Electric Railway! Our first intermediate stop will be at Groudle, then we will continue to Laxey and return to Derby Castle with a different train formation. Overnight stay in Douglas, breakfast included.

27. September 2026, Saturday:
After breakfast, transfer to the Isle of Man Airport by pre-booked taxi. I will reserve your taxi for your departure time; the taxi fare is included in the tour price. If several participants are flying out at the same time, I will arrange a bus-transfer.

End of the tour

TOUR PRICES
1.790 € per person for booking the charter train itinerary only (excluding transfers, meals, and accommodation)
2.490 € per person in a shared double room (complete itinerary incl. transfers, meals, accommodation, excluding flights)
   480 € Single room supplement
Minimum number of participants needed for the complete itinerary: 20; maximum: 40. Registration deadline: 5. May 2026; thereafter, upon request.

Book the complete itinerary by 31. October 2025 and receive a 120 € early booking discount!


SERVICES INCLUDED
• Accommodation in a good 3-star hotel in a double room with bath or shower
• 5x English breakfast
• All charters and the night photography session as per itinerary
• Depot visits (HT/MER/SMR)
• All transfers as part of the group program
• Tour brochure
• Local, English-speaking tour guides
• Expert tour manager: Peter Patt (speaks German, English, French)

NOT INCLUDED
• All flights or ferry tickets
• Gratuities (bus driver, train crew): approx. £10-15 per participant per day
• Travel insurance (luggage, medical, trip cancellation)
• All personal expenses

GOOD TO KNOW
Most visitors from outside the UK require an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) or a visa and a passport valid for at least 6 months after their departure from the UK, with at least 2 blank pages. The ESTA currently costs £16 (approx. €20) and must be applied for online! Please also check the information provided by your government about entering the UK. 

The Isle of Man has a very mild, temperate climate, although the weather can be quite "typically British". I expect daytime temperatures to be around 12-15°C. Travel vaccinations are not required. This trip does not include travel to/from the Isle of Man. British Airways via London, KLM via Amsterdam, and Aer Lingus via Dublin offer affordable flights, which I would be happy to book for you at the current rate. Alternatively, there is a ferry service from/to Liverpool. Our hotel is centrally located in Douglas, on the seafront promenade. 

Please remember to book your travel insurance! 
This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Please note that our trip involves getting on and off vehicles on uneven ground, vehicles with high entry steps, or in environments that do not meet German accessibility standards. If you are unsure whether this trip is suitable for you, please contact me.

© Photos on this page: P.Patt