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Isle of Man vintage railways passenger numbers rise despite suspension

BBC Tram on the Isle of ManBBC
Services on the Snaefell Mountain Railway were suspended in September after an incident during a descent

Passenger numbers have increased year-on-year on four vintage railways despite one service being suspended after a tram became "out of control".

Four services, which run from March to November on the Isle of Man, drew in 512,847 people in 2017 - a rise of 65,949 customers or 13% from 2016.

In September the Snaefell Mountain Railway service was suspended for a health and safety investigation.

Transport director Ian Longworth the record numbers were "fantastic news".

Getty Images George W. Hales/FoxGetty Images
Horse drawn trams have been ferrying tourists in Douglas for 140 years

The island has four vintage railways - the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tram.

Despite it running a shorter season, the railway that joins Laxey village with the summit of Snaefell, saw the biggest increase in 2017 with an additional 16,770 customers - a rise of 27%.

The Isle of Man Steam Railway was boosted by an extra 32,355 passengers - a 22% increase while both the Douglas Bay Horse Tram and Manx Electric Railway also saw small rises in passenger numbers at 6% and 5% respectively.

The Manx Electric Railway saw the most customers with 227,826 using the service this season.

The government said a growing market in group travel through coach trips and cruises was a contributing factor.