Online Manx Heritage Transport Festival starts today

This year's celebration of the Island's heritage railways starts today, but in a different way than in previous years.

The Manx Heritage Transport Festival - running from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2 - is taking place online this time around after the previously planned occasion postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the aim to make the event bigger and better than the Virtual Rush Hour at Easter, the festival Online will also this time welcome Groudle Glen Railway, The Douglas Bay Horse Trams, The Orchid Line at the Wild Life Park and the Great Laxey Mines Railway.

They join with original three groups from the Easter Event, The Heritage Railway Volunteers, Manx Electric Railway Online and the Crogga Valley Railway

Numerous events will be held over the next few days on the social media platforms for Manx Electric Railway Online including Facebook and YouTube.

A detailed schedule of what will be taking place is on the MER website.

Meanwhile, organisers previously confirmed dates for next years festival between July 28 and August 1, 2021 where it's hoped the special arrangements originally planned for 2020 will be showcased.