Train fans will be in transports of delight with a five day festival of action packed days taking place next week on the Isle of Man’s heritage railways. Running from Wednesday 27 July until Sunday 31 July, the festival offers great photo opportunities, social events, behind the scenes workshop tours, museum visits and dining experiences. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘The Isle of Man has a wealth of heritage transport within a very small area that we know from experience attracts large numbers of both residents and visitors. This Heritage Transport Festival aims to pack in a variety of special events and experiences across all our railways in order to ensure the five days provide a variety of unique transport experiences for fans new and old.’ Saturday (30 July) will be the first opportunity to ride on newly restored tram car No.7, departing from Derby Castle on the 9.40am timetabled journey to Ramsey. Repainted in its original blue and white colour scheme, the 36-seater tram was delivered in 1894 and has been brought back into service to help accommodate increasing numbers of passengers travelling on the Manx Electric Railway. This year’s festival includes a number of additional shuttle bus services to local attractions. There will be shuttle bus from Ballasalla Station to the Manx Aviation Museum (28 July), a vintage bus shuttle from Ramsey to the Jurby Transport Museum and Milntown House (31 July) and, to help reduce parking congestion, a connecting bus from Ballasalla Station to Great Meadow for the Southern District Agricultural Show on Saturday 30 July. Extra trains and trams will be scheduled throughout the five day festival and the steam railway is also repeating the popular Rail Ale Tour to Castletown on Friday (29 July), serving beers, wines and soft drinks on board the steam train, following a Buffers Buffet in the evening. The Tickethall at Douglas steam railway station will have Fireman’s Breakfasts on the menu from 8am to 11am daily – hearty breakfast feasts, served on fireman’s shovels. Meanwhile, at Snaefell Summit, Sunset Dinners can be booked for Wednesday (July 27) and continue to be available every Wednesday and Friday night until 9 September. The festivities are supported by members of the Manx Classic Car Club who will be displaying their fine collections at various stations. Additionally, the festival includes a scenic coastal cruise on board the Karina, first launched in 1946. Volunteer-operated Groudle Glen Railway is planning to have every item of its rolling stock on display during the weekend. For tickets to special events and Summit Dinning, call into Douglas Steam Railway Station or phone 673623. For more details on all events, call 662525 or visit www.iombusandrail.info. ENDS