Steam Train
04 July 2014 | Douglas to Port Erin
Vicki
Today was a super fun day, off the boat for an early start to being tourists. We rode on the steam engine train that goes from Douglas on the east to Port Erin on the southwest. This is a narrow, 15-guage rail-line and has been in continuous use from 1873. The average age of passengers had to be at least 50, but you could not tell it from how giddy we all were. We had an enjoyable lunch at Port Erin and walked the beach and the town. It has three story rental homes and hotels lining the beach that date to the 1890’s. The high time to vacation here was early 19th century and, though quaint, you could tell the town had past glories.
We also stopped at Castletown. There is a large, refurbished castle, Rushen, which we toured. Several of the rooms were decorated with wall coverings and furnishings. Also had mannequins so you could see what life was like in that period, at least for the wealthy rulers.