History

“I have seen loads of changes since I started working on the horse trams.  There’s obviously been a huge decline in the tourist industry so the tramway has had to curtail its level of service.  In 1975 we probably had between twelve and sixteen trams out at any one time, now we’ve got two.

At peak times between the wars on the Island a tram would have arrived every minute.  In 1975 you would have had one tram every 2 ½ minutes and today you can expect a service of 1 every 20 minutes.

“Tourism in the Isle of Man before WW1 was massive.  In one season the horse cars would have carried around a million passengers. 

“This is a unique tramway which exists in the same place it was built while servicing the same purpose it was built for.  From a heritage point of view the trams are extremely important. They are part of the Isle of Man’s identity.

“Everything costs money but if we didn’t have the horse trams on the Island I think we would lose a large part of our identity and history.

“We’ve had all sorts of people working on the trams.  Some of them are now dentists, doctors and lawyers but most of them will tell you that this is the best job they have ever had. 

“There’s just something about driving a horse tram.  It’s not the same as driving a train or an electric tram. You are doing something that not many people in the world get the chance to do. That gives you a bit of a buzz and makes you feel proud.

A Horse Tram: Manxscenes.com

“Everyone who has ever driven a horse tram will say how weird it is to do it for the first time.  For a start you are positioned about 6ft above the traffic and you can see all the way down the promenade.  It’s a view you just don’t get in a car.  And you’ve got this live animal in front of you and although we are for the most part in control of these horses, the boys can do anything they want so you have to have your wits about you.

“You have to be on the same wavelength your animal and make sure the horse is confident you are looking after them. Some people have the knack but some people don’t.  You won’t know until you’ve tried.  If you ever look at a tram driver and thought they have an easy job you are wrong.  Your mind is going all the time and the safety of your horse and passengers is in your hands. If it looks easy, the driver is doing his job properly. Trust me, it’s NOT easy.

“The horses are the most important part of the job.  Many of the tourists don’t see large animals in the daily lives so the horses are the real stars. The trams are completely useless without the horses. The main concern for everyone who works here is the welfare of the horses. They get better looked after than the staff!

“I don’t think the future of the horse trams should be determined by financial profit.  There’s a value to the trams which isn’t quantifiable and money shouldn't always be the bottom line, just a consideration.  The horse trams have been here from 1876 and I hope they’ll be here long after I’ve gone.”