Manx Heritage Transport Festival - Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th July 2025

More information has just been released on this year's Heritage Transport Festival on the Isle of Man - see more at the following link: https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/3225/manx-heritage-transport-festival-2025.pdf

Particular highlights (as a volunteer on the Island's railways):

• The relaunch of Trailer 50 on the M.E.R. after 47 years out of use. This leaves just Trailers 53 and 55 left unrestored at this stage - an incredible achievement over the last decade.
• The tribute to Mike Buttell - a much missed volunteer on the Island who put his soul into the I.O.M.R. I hope this day is a fitting tribute to him and the rest of his family who have all been involved in the I.O.M.R.
• The Evening Photography session at Derby Castle - the first time all of the 1893 cars and trailers will have been gathered together since, at the very earliest, 1971, and most likely a great deal longer! This event features Trailer 52, the M.E.R's works trailer which has avoided any limelight in previous Festivals - and it gets to take part in a parallel run the following morning!
• 'Yard Stars' - a plethora of the Island's diesel locomotives and railcars getting the chance to be sampled by passengers. This includes duties by the I.O.M.R's Wickham car, the first time this has been available for use in some time. It is also the first opportunity to ride on NATS 3 on the Snaefell line after it had to be replaced at short notice last year by NATS 4.
• Snaefell Mountain Shuffler - this is the first Snaefell track tour I've seen and one I'm looking forward to!
• Regent bus running - the first time one of the IOM's vintage bus fleet has operated in service for some time.