An exhibition of Douglas horse tram memorabilia spanning more than a century is to be held to coincide with the 2014 Manx Heritage Transport Festival.

The exhibition will be at the Strathallan Suite, Strathallan Crescent, Douglas on Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd from 10am to 5pm, admission free. On display will be a collection of photographs and other memorabilia relating to what is acknowledged as one of the world’s oldest surviving horse tram services, which this year is celebrating its 138th anniversary.

The collection has been curated and the exhibition organised by Debbie Watterson, a lifelong horse tram enthusiast, who also set up the website douglashorsetramway.net which chronicles the development of the service from its 1876 origins to the present day.

Chair of the regeneration and community advisory committee Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘The Douglas horse trams continue to exert a worldwide fascination, attracting interest not only from vintage transport enthusiasts but also from international visitors and broadcasting agencies. We are pleased to be contributing to this year’s Manx Heritage Transport Festival and look forward to welcoming visitors to Douglas and offering an insight into the history of this unique service.’

The 2014 Douglas horse tram service operates daily until Sunday September 14th from 9am to 5.40pm, (last departure from Victoria Pier).

Tickets can be bought on board; season tickets from Douglas town hall and at the Strathallan terminus or online. (See panel opposite).

In addition, seven-day Explorer tickets offering unlimited travel on the horse trams, railways and scheduled bus services can be purchased from the tram station or the Isle of Man Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal, telephone 662525/686766.