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Isle of Man Steam Railway
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Isle of Man Steam Railway

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Isle of Man Steam Railway
4.5
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73 within 3 miles
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Castles
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See what travelers are saying
  • Mans1503
    5 contributions
    A lovely bit of history
    I really enjoyed travelling on the steam trains. It gave a real sense of history and beauty. I rode on both trains and in two different types of carriages. I also really enjpyed going in the museum in Port Erin and looking round the trains. I highly recommend getting off at Castelton as the trains are scheduled to meet up here and you get to see both at once. Be careful about when the season starts though as it was only Friday, Saturday, Sunday in March this year, not Mondays (as there were last year).
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written March 27, 2023
  • stillmoovin
    Elviria, Spain17 contributions
    Step back in time
    A lovely way to explore the South of the Island. We visited Castletown and Port Erin, but could have done more. Use Go Explore card ... we bought the 3 day version and used it a lot
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 10, 2023
  • Travel Bilash
    Hertfordshire, United Kingdom7 contributions
    Don't miss
    It was our first visit to the Isle of Man and their steam railway. The first journey was Sunday lunch train to Castletown from Douglas. Lunch was average, but the service was good. Could be better to serve tea or coffee with the pudding. The second journey was to Douglas from Colby during ournone car free day. The best thing was you can use day pass on their regular service which was extra bonus 😀
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 26, 2023
  • tpbel
    Belfast, United Kingdom564 contributions
    Pie & Mash dinner experience
    I went on the Pie & Mash dinner which takes you from Douglas to Port Erin and back again. It was a lovely evening out and well worth the modest price. The food was lovely and the staff were so hard- working and welcoming. There is also a bar service on board to add a bit of decadence. I had wanted to do the trip anyway on my visit to the Island, but I was so happy to coincide with the dinner experience - highly recommended.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 26, 2023
  • Agnes448
    Nottingham, United Kingdom151 contributions
    Memorable experience
    Lovely experience, Beautiful scenery, relaxing journey, friendly staff. The station buildings are lovely and both Port Erin and Castletown are well worth visiting. We took the train from Douglas to Port Erin and on the way back got off to visit Castletown. With a day ticket one can get off and on as wished.
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 9, 2023
  • Ian K
    6 contributions
    Fabulous Preserved Railway
    Fabulous preserved Railway. Went from Douglas to Port Erin. Wonderful experience. Staff so friendly and helpful. Definitely purchase the Explorer Tickets for getting about. Great Saving.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 24, 2023
  • MIB-53
    Larkhall, United Kingdom691 contributions
    Only a View of the Trains, Next time a Journey
    Due to time constraints on my visit to the IOM did not have time to sample a journey on the line. I went along to the station and was able to see a train arriving and leaving, it looked to be fun and those disembarking seemed to have enjoyed the journey. The station and line are kept in good order and looked great, I was able to have a light bite poached eggs on toast, reasonably priced) in the Ticket Hall while waiting for a train to arrive. Just the sound and smell takes me back to my youth. next time I will make time to enjoy a trip.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 28, 2023
  • Esther C
    Lisburn, United Kingdom4 contributions
    Train travel as it used to be
    A must for those who remember steam railway travel ..or for those big kids who never grew up . A well preserved railway system , hard to believe it’s over 150 years old . We travelled from Port Erin to Douglas , where the carriages where individual, thus offering some privacy and making them suitable for bringing young children , though there are no toilets on board !! We also experienced the Dinning train from Douglas to Castletown for afternoon tea. A thoroughly enjoyable experience!!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 4, 2023
  • wizzythetraveller
    Douglas, United Kingdom134 contributions
    Pie & mash night
    A small group of friends decided to take a trip on the steam train for a “pie & mash” evening. It’s a great evening out - main course on the way out - time for a drink in a local pub in Port Erin - desert on the return journey. Given that this is an historic steam train the standard of catering and service is very good.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 6, 2023
  • pete
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom32 contributions
    Pleasant day out
    I went to Castletown and Port Erin on the train. Note it is cheaper by bus if trains are not your thing. This was before the school holiday season, so was not at all crowded. The carriages were in good condition and the engines spotless. I got off at Castletown for a picnic lunch and to look around the town,before catching the train to Port Erin. The station cafe is good as is the ice cream shop near the beach. It’s a pleasant sleepy seaside town. Whilst I had the compartment to myself for most of the journey the line is used by local people and I had some interesting conversations.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written July 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Grengee
Liverpool137 contributions
A disappointing day
Aug 2022 • Couples
This is a difficult experience to review. Although we know the problems were out of the control of the railway how it was dealt with was not ideal. We went on a trip from Port Erin to Douglas on Tuesday 9th August. It is a trip we have done before but it was my husband's birthday and his choice of outing. At Castletown the train became delayed because of a fire further down the track. We were told this after a little while and told we were delayed. Fine no problem time went on and people started getting off in the end I had to ask a passing guard what was going on. Apparently a bus was being sent to take us to Douglas we were told we could get on it or go back to port Erin. We were told it would be up to the staff there if we got a refund. I had to ask how we would get back from Douglas if there were no further trains that day and I was told oh just get on the bus with no idea of where to get on a bus or the numbers back to port Erin. In the end after a discussion we decided it was probably best to go on to Douglas as we had limited time on the island and couldn't waste another day trying again the next day.With no help from the staff we managed to find our own way to the bus stop and a bus arrived. It drove us very quickly to Douglas. By now quite an expensive bus ride to Douglas and an hour journey had become well over two hour journey. Coming back later in the day we thought we would try for the 4pm train and accept it would probably be out of schedule. We were told it would leave between 4.15/30. Ok we waited. Not sure how you don't know where or when a train will appear as all the staff carried mobiles but it actually left at 5.15pm. A disappointing day for my husband's birthday which made us late for the dinner table we had booked but at least they accommodated us a bit later.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm John C
St Peter Port, UK108 contributions
All aboard!
Aug 2020 • Couples
Step back in time to experience Victorian railway comfort. Great day out. An hour’s ride from Douglas gets you to Port Erin after passing through some lovely countryside, stopping at quaint stations and getting enticing views of the sea

Love the sound of the engine chugging along, the piercing whistle and the smell of coal smoke

Well worth a visit. And bring a piicnic for the journey
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N H
Newton Le Willows, UK3,445 contributions
Comfortable, old fashioned travel
Jul 2023 • Couples
A great way to get to the south of the island. The seats are comfortable, the scenery along the coast is beautiful and all the guards and drivers are friendly.
There are a few stops along the line with lots of interesting places to visit, abbey’s, castles and at the end of the line in Port Erin is a great, soft sand beach.
I would recommend getting a go pass as it can save you a lot of money over a few days.
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Billhyland911
County Galway, Ireland58 contributions
Travel at full steam.
Mar 2022 • Couples
We embarked on the longest trip on this railway and enjoyed every minute of it. From the authentic and spotless carriages to the beautiful steam engines, it was a thrill from start to finish. The originality of the stations and the standard of the cleanliness and upkeep was a wonder to behold. It was inexpensive and a great way to see one half of the island and was not dependent on the weather. The staff were amazing and could not do more to ensure safety and comfort of the passengers. A thoroughly amazing experience which I would recommend to all travelers.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew
26 contributions
Unforgetable
Mar 2023
Nice well maintained trains, with beautifully furnished carriages, but if you are after beautiful scenery, forget it. The track runs through industrial parts of Douglas before going through rather plain eneventful countryside, interspersed with building sites for new housing estates. You can visit such towns as Castletown, Port Erin and Port Erin, but none of those are worth the effort.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shaneD151
East Grinstead, UK175 contributions
The dining train is a must. And great way to explore the island
Aug 2023 • Solo
I've just returned from 5 day visit to the isle of man on my first night. I went on the dining train pie and mash special it was a brilliant experience with plenty of choice that you pick on booking for £39 for a two course meal and retun trip I think that is very fairly priced in the current climate the staff where brilliant there is also a paid bar service that was quite well priced.

I also used the railway for visiting Castletown and port erin but I would recommend checking the timetable before you travel. I purchased a go explore card from the airport for £47 for my 5 day stay it covered me on all public transport on the island
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaqueline P
Bournemouth, UK206 contributions
A journey into yesteryear
Sep 2022
This steam train travels faster than the electric railway. It runs through pretty countryside to the south part of the island. It stops at several places on route to Port Erin. There are several steam engines with individual names all beautifully polished with gleaming brass. The carriages do not have corridors or toilets. They have compartments seating 4 either side or some are open with rows of seats. There are windows which can be lowered and held in place with a leather strap. A very worthwhile experience.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
philguk
Ramsey, UK286 contributions
Steam dining - Pie & Mash
Jul 2021 • Friends
Excellent experience last night on the steam railway dining train. A three and a half hour tour from Douglas to Port Erin (& back) with full dining

The service was top notch, our carriage was arranged for couples across a wide aisle, so no Covid concerns

The food was also brilliant. A good choice of pies and varied drinks were also available for purchase

There was time allowed for a leg stretch in Port Erin - enough time to watch the sunset in fact

The journey home was accompanied by desert (coffee would also have been nice, but that’s just nit picking)

Congrats to the steam railway folks for coming up with this idea. There are many varied dining events throughout the year, so something to suit all tastes. Boob ahead though. They are popular

Thanks also to the hard working team on the night
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex Le Grice
7 contributions
Just Brilliant !
May 2021 • Couples
Fantastic opportunity to experience this nostalgic steam railway. Iconic scenery, a genuine lovely time you will have. Setting of from Douglas, on your way to places like Port Erin and Laxey.
If you get the opportunity to visit the Isle of Man, highly recommend you go on this Steam railway.
A must visit.
A must "do" on your holiday.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
Kirkcaldy, UK642 contributions
Great trip to south coast of island
Aug 2023 • Couples
We took a trip on this railway from Douglas to Port Erin and thoroughly enjoyed our wee jaunt. The train leaves every two hours or so from Douglas Station, near the Sea Terminal and bus station, to Port Erin via Castletown and Port St. Mary. The whole journey in old wooden carriages pulled by a steam engine takes about an hour each way and is well worth the effort. Each carriage seats about six people comfortably and it is like being taken back in time. Loved it
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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