An exhibition of Douglas horse tram memorabilia spanning more than a century is to be held to coincide with the 2012 Manx Heritage Transport Festival.

The exhibition, which builds on the success of a similar event in 2011 to mark the service’s 135th anniversary, will be at the Strathallan Suite, Strathallan Crescent, Douglas on Friday July 27th and Saturday July 28th 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, inaugurated in 1876 and now owned and operated by Douglas Borough Council.

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

Regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘The Douglas horse tram service has legions of fans both at home and abroad.  I am sure that the memorabilia on display in this forthcoming exhibition will evoke fond memories of times gone by.’

Now in its 136th year the 2012 Douglas horse tram service operates daily until Sunday September 16th from 9am to 6pm.

Tickets can be bought on board while season tickets can be purchased from Douglas town hall and at the Strathallan terminus, or online at www.douglas.gov.im

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.

Photo caption - A scene from last year’s exhibition held to mark the horse tram service’s 135th anniversary. Picture Andrew Barton