Douglas Horse Tramway To Be Scrapped - Manx Tourists Petiton

I visited this unique railway when on the island in 2000 and this piece of heritage must remain. Tourism is our future.

I am was very sorry to read in the February edition of The Railway Magazine, that the Horse Tramway has been closed. I hope this campaign is successful and the historic Douglas Horse Tram can be reopened soon, before it is too late.

Please save the Horse Trams ! Please save the Horse Trams , they are unique and wonderful !

I first travelled on the horse trams in 1953 and have visited the island many times since then. If the tramway closes I think i'll just leave the IoM to the tax dodgers.

Its part of the I.OM history

Hoping to visit on our next visit. Please don't disappoint us and many others. Too much history is being lost because people don't care...

I have only visited the Isle of Man once - it is a long way from Australia. I made the trip solely because of the things of historical interest, like the horse tram. Horse tramways were once a feature of most cities and many towns throughout the world. The majority closed about 100 years ago. By a combination of good fortune and past wise decisions by the authorities in Douglas, the Douglas horse tram has survived to become an almost unique example. As a result from a heritage viewpoint it is now of world significance. I do not think the Douglas Council is now the right authority to manage this, it should be the responsibility of the Isle of Man government. I believe tourism is a key industry to the Isle of Man, and the things that make the island a unique drawcard for tourists are its historical attractions. Anyone can make modern tourist attractions, but they are not unique. Those with history are precious and irreplaceable. The tramway's value cannot be measured by its operating loss. It must be measured by its contribution to the island’s overall tourist industry and its capacity to help draw people to the island. If the Douglas horse tramway is allowed to close I believe the decision will be greatly regretted in the future, and those responsible for making that decision will not be looked on kindly. As far as I know there is only one other regularly operating horse tramway in the world. It is at Victor Harbour in South Australia. It first began operating in 1854 and was closed 100 years later. That decision was considered short-sighted by many at the time. In the 1980s the tramway was reinstated with replicas of the original vehicles. It operates every day and is now considered to be a very valuable attraction at the tourist town of Victor Harbour. Please do not repeat the Victor Harbour mistake of the 1950s!

How can they allow this to happen

Have used this "Horse Tramway" a few time when we visited the Island. A great way to get to the Manx Electric Railway, especially when you do not have a car. The Island Authorities should fund it.

The horse tramway is a unique selling point for Douglas and whilst it may be running at a loss you must consider the wider economic impact that will arise if it is lost. Please reconsider the decision to close it.

Having visited Douglas twice in recent years, I would recommend that the "Horse Tramway" be retained as a major tourist attraction, and funded by all the island authoritories.

It's a shame if such a beautiful peace of history will get scrapped.

If the manx gov.is so concerned about its image around the world. Surely it should preserve all its heritage ancient & modern.

Dall'italia spero che questa bellissima linea non muoia, non perdiamo il nostro passato!

please dont take this piece f history away from Island

The horse tramway is like a piece of jigsaw. Remove one piece and you no longer have a complete cohesive attraction. It will just be a matter of time before another piece is on the chopper because there will be fewer visitors, and so the domino effect continues.

Must be saved at all costs, it's an asset to the Isle of Man

These trams our part of my childhood please don't get rid of them.

A remarkably silly decision. With a continuation of this type of attitude the Isle of Man risks becoming known for and remembered for - very little. And attractive as a destination to - very few. Very disappointing and short-sighted.

don't lose more Manx history please it would not. be the same.