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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Driver celebrates 'unbelievably unique' 50-year horse tram career
A horse tram driver who is celebrating 50 years working on the Isle of Man's heritage railway said the "unbelievably unique" experience was "just good fun".Peter Cannon started out on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway as a tram conductor on 6 July 1975 when he was 17 years launched in 1876, the historic trams now operate as part of the government's heritage railway Cannon said he enjoyed being able to work outside alongside the horses and could not imagine doing any other career. The horse tramway is one of the oldest horse-drawn tram services in the world, operating along the Manx capital's promenade from the Strathallan Terminal to the War Memorial. While the tramway has been in operation for 149 years, the service have not always been recent years refurbishment works on the promenade and the coronavirus pandemic put the service on hiatus respectively. And the changes to the service, and its use, were things Mr Cannon noted had changed considerably over the years. Looking back to 1975 he said: "They were obviously a big tourist attraction but they were also public transport."There was a better horse tram service along the promenade than there was a bus service.""In the height of the season there would be a tram every two and a half minutes," he said. "It was seriously busy, it was like TT week now, every week." Mr Cannon said although he is now celebrating 50 years on the trams, it had simply begun as a summer job after he finished his he said it had become a lifelong career he would not trade."Most people who have worked here over the years will tell you it's the best job they've ever had," he said."It's out in the nice weather, you're dealing with animals, it's a unique thing to do, unbelievably unique.""And just good fun." The heritage railway will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026, something Mr Cannon said he was looking forward to."When I first started I didn't appreciate the history of it, a lot of people back then who lived here just took it for granted."He said he had no current plans to stop driving the horse trams, but would "have a think" after next year and might consider "winding down". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
ITV News
30-04-2025
- ITV News
'It's better than working!': Tram driver celebrates 50 years at the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
A tram driver is celebrating 50 years working for the historic Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. Peter Cannon has worked for the heritage service since 1975, dedicating most of his life to keeping the Isle of Man tradition on the rails. He said: "I just enjoy it! It's better than working for a living! "It was just a summer job really, and I kind of grew into it - I wasn't expecting to be here for 50 years!" The heritage tramway has been in operation since 1876, and often draws tourists to the Douglas seafront for its unique traditional feel. Peter confessed he was "not a horsey person at first" but learned to love working with them as time went on. He said: "They just kind of grow on you, it's a strange thing really, you miss them when you're not here." Peter first joined the Tramway team in 1975, as a conductor aged 17. He then worked his way up to becoming a driver in the space of a year, and has spent the last five decades dedicated to driving the trams. When asked what has kept Peter working at the tramway, he said: "Certainly not the money!". "People say do you get bored looking at the horse's bum all the time - well not really - years gone by there's plenty going on on the promenade to keep you alert and keep you watching what's going on." Peter has made countless trips up and down Douglas Promenade, but says the 100th anniversary of the trams was a particular highlight. However he said there were "too many incidents to mention" and overall he has "just had a lot of fun over the years". When Peter was asked whether it feels like 50 years of work, he said: "Depends on the weather!" He concluded by saying: "There's a saying isn't there, if you can find something that you like as a job you know it's not like work is it? Well I suppose you can say I've never done a days work in my life." The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has been in operation since 1876 - next year celebrating its 150th year. Peter said he looks forward to the Tramway marking the major milestone, and will work to keep the tradition going for as long as he can. Want more on the issues effecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
