THINK of the great train journeys of the world and you imagine relaxing in the luxury and elegance of the Orient Express, admiring the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps from the Glacier Express or completing the longest railway in the world through the steppes of Russia on board the Trans-Siberian Express.
Now add to that list the network of Victorian heritage railways in the Isle of Man.
A firm that specialises in organising luxury rail tours around the world is boasting the Isle of Man among its destinations – alongside such transports of delight as a Coast to Coast trip across the States, India’s Palace on Wheels hotel train and the high-altitude Swiss Jungfrau Express to the top of Europe.
Great Rail Journey included the Isle of Man in its brochure for the first time last year.
This year, the number of trips its organising to the island has nearly doubled from nine last year to 17 this year – and already five of them have sold out.
The Manx’s three heritage railways – Isle of Man Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway – are loss-making and require a net subsidy from the government of £2.3 million.
But they carry more than 300,000 passengers a year. And research shows that they contribute more than £10 million to the local economy. 70 per cent of which is from visitors coming to the Isle of Man primarily to experience the Victorian trains and trams.
Isle of Man heritage railway adventures are also being offered by two other specialist travel firms – Page & Moy and Ffestiniog Travel – the latter which includes a chance to drive a chartered Manx Electric Railway tram and a footplate ride on the Groudle Glen Railway.
Each visitor to the island spends about £332 per visit.
Great Rail Journey’s 17 tours consist of groups of 40 and Page & Moy caters for groups of 30 on the 12 tours it plans to the island this year. So if, as expected, these tours sell out, or at least go close to selling out, the island will be looking in the region of 1,040 people bringing about £345,280 to the local economy.
A spokesman for the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure said: ‘This year’s trips are already heavily booked, partly thanks to an additional two companies (Ffestiniog and Page& Moy) that have set up specifically to sell the trips and promote the heritage element of our railways.’
