Cab Rides - The Snaefell Mountain Railway

The Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs nearly 2,000 feet from the fishing village of Laxey to the Summit of the Isle of Man's highest mountain, Snaefell. It was built to carry Victorian tourists on a spectacular trip to enjoy the beautiful vistas of the island and the Irish Sea. We've a crystal clear day for our journey, ad the five cameras let us see everything that's going on. Full commentary explains what's going on around us and inside this original Victorian electric tram.
You can find a full list of our DVD and Bluray Cab Rides with the option of turning off commentary on our website at bit.ly/3q9kyZ6

[@TheAutisticCapricorn]

Man, if I was a railway enthusiast set to go out on a touring expedition to resurrect the beloved, all-inspiring, commemorative, and treasuring legacy of Wilbert and Christopher Awdry's _Railway Series_ books, this particular railway would definitely make a nice sequel premise for the "Mountain Engines" book. Now even though "Mountain Engines" is based on the Snowdon Railway in Wales, I wouldn't mind coming up with neat story plot materials to make a book based on the Snaefell, and what it values to tie in the events of what the characters in the stories will trial. I ain't much of a story writer, per say, but a creative mind is always up for a game. A promotion to help get the Isle of Man's finest electrified mountain railway would absolutely credit them into being not just a tourist attraction, but a really useful railway that climbs mountains as well. Same goes to every other railroad/railway out there that climbs high up into the mountaintops. Makes me wonder if Wilbert Awdry ever got to visit this sort of railway when lived his time here on Earth.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

One of my favourite ever journey's as a young boy in the 1960's. Still remember waiting for the return tram to Douglas on a beautiful summer's evening with Mum and enjoying a lemonade and crisps outside the 'Miners Arms' with the strains of Englebert Humperdinck's Last Waltz from the juke box. Laxey Station is magical. Excellent video with clear narration.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it Robert. The Isle of Man does kinda get a hold on you. I've similar happy memories, albeit from an age when I wasn't restricted to lemonade in the pub :-) The Manx have always been VERY hospitable.

[@doncoffey5820]

Absolutely superb. It’s made me want to get out and about again. Excellent narrative and I’ve learned so much. Folks, don’t forget to like and subscribe.

[@cabrides]

Thanks Don! Is that you driving :-)

[@gerrybvr]

Thanks for the heads up Don

[@chriswood5205]

@@gerrybvr Likewise

[@AJ-Themes-for-Great-Cities]

Completely agree with Don.

[@charleysmith7565]

Absolutely lovely video, recommended by Don Coffey and I'm glad he did, some gorgeous views I'd thought I'd never seen before

[@cabrides]

Thanks Charley. It's a spectacular journey on a special island. A memorable shoot.

[@willp2406]

excellent vidio, i went there in 2018 i think it was with my parents , such a fantastic olde world transport system , i would love to come again .. many thanks

[@user-yr9xq4dc2o]

great video Joaquim Antunes-São Paulo - Brasil

[@johnkerr1953]

I have thurly enjoyed this video, l remember decades ago when l visited this Island the man that l was staying with took me to this mountain, but there was no train running at the time, so we just walked up to the top of the mountain & it was a day like that of this one that I've just watched, you could see for miles, so thanks again to the people who videod this program.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it. I've always erred on the safe side. Walking to the top was not something that would have agreed with me :-)

[@tardismole]

Thank you for sharing. Absolutely amazing.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MervynPartin]

So that is the view without the clouds smothering Snaefell! Only wish I could have enjoyed that on my visit, so thank you for your most enjoyable video.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it! Shame you didn't see the view from the top. It really is spectacular. Worth another try? If you do return make sure to visit the summit cafe.

[@treaclelester7285]

Really enjoyed this video, thank you

[@cabrides]

So glad! Thanks for commenting.

[@eddiestafford3313]

Brilliant video. I remember going up on the tram away back in the mid 70`s. The top station was a pub and we had a fantastic night there with entertainment ......I have fond memories of lots of Scots and Irish holiday makers having a good old knees up, singing all the way back down on the tram. Thanks for posting the video.

[@cabrides]

It's a magical place. I miss it...

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

12:34 '...and gets a cheery wave from our driver' - top-level sarcasm.

[@cabrides]

:-)

[@ask4george1]

Best tour guide I've heard in ages. That was really cool, Thank You.

[@cabrides]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks.

[@steviep1965]

Lovely to watch, made the journey back in June 2019 so nice to remember.

[@cabrides]

Oh, to be fee to go back..... :-)

[@shaunwakefield9793]

Well in October I finally went to the Isle of Man on a coach trip for my belated 60th bday, travelling on the Snaefell railway has tobe one of my highlights of that trip I fell in love with the Island and the people and sights it has to offer ,I have been back twice since and will visit again in the spring when the railway reopens.

[@cabrides]

It's nice to hear from people who've enjoyed the island. It's a magical place, and I always enjoyed going there. The Island Chippy and the Port Jack Chippy in Douglas are worth searching out - the Electric Railway goes past the latter 😉. Enjoy your return trip!

[@johns7078]

Thanks to Don Coffey I have just watched this video, well worth it and new territory for me. Thumbs Up

[@cabrides]

Great to have you along for the ride!

[@AJ-Themes-for-Great-Cities]

What a voice that narrator has. Superb

[@archieohare]

Great ride! Thank you for sharing!

[@cabrides]

Thanks Arkady. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonypaine4970]

Lovely video which brought back memories of a holiday there from a few years ago 😊

[@cabrides]

Thanks Tony. Watching it again a few years after it was made brings back happy memories of the island for me too. A lovely place.

[@myobboy9973]

Very good, well narrated, thank you very much for all that work.

[@cabrides]

Thanks for your appreciation!

[@robertcoleman4861]

Wonderful scenic journey.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timosha21]

Choo Choo: I'm a train and I approve this video :D

[@barrycartwright6152]

What a wonderfull video, very good naration and much better than some TV productions, Thanks Don for the heads up.

[@cabrides]

Thanks Barry. High praise indeed :-)

[@smilevideobritain499]

stunning. thank you

[@cabrides]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@carmium]

When I came to tour the the Isles back in the 80s, my English friend suggested we take in the "railway weekend" on the Isle of Man, scheduled for late May, a trip up Snaefell being part of the package. Now I come from Canada (albeit the habitable part) and when we got to the summit, I had never seen such an imitation of a full-on arctic storm! It was like being inside a can of white paint, with the icy wind howling in from the north. The summit tea room (?) shown at the end of this video was only under construction, and most passengers huddled against its leeward side for the duration of the stop. A few of us struck out for the actual summit, reached it, still saw nothing more than the ground around our feet, and scurried back to the coach. I enjoyed seeing what the trip might have looked like had the day been a little nicer. It was fine down in Laxey, by the way!

[@cabrides]

That sounds like the Isle of Man. :-)

[@yodaco]

I live in the IoM so I have had the luxury many times. This was an excellent video with lots of great information along the way. Excellent.

[@cabrides]

Hi Yodaco. You're very lucky!

[@bobife1253]

Like others, I was recommended to try coming to your channel by Don Coffey. So pleased that I did. A truly fascinating ride on a historic line. Subscription added. Look forward to seeing much, much more of the same in the future.

[@cabrides]

Hi Bob.Thanks for your kind comments. Don's a star :-) I'm pleased you enjoyed the trip, and thanks for subscribing. There's a lot more to come....

[@samf3416]

Absolute superb, mate! I'm thankful Don Coffey recommended your channel. I subbed right away. This is what a railway documentary should be. Love that voiceover.. Your channel will grow, trust me mate.

[@cabrides]

Thanks Sam. Nice to be around. Don's a great guy.

[@bazza945]

Very enjoyable, thank you.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@Otacatapetl]

Another from Don Coffey here. I've always loved the IOM but I never noticed they drove on the right. Unusual for trains on these islands.

[@cabrides]

Hi Otacatapeti. The Snaefell Mountain Railway drives on the right, but the Electric Train and Isle of Man Steam Railway are both on the left..

[@Otacatapetl]

@@cabrides That's interesting, I wonder why that is? Better views for the passengers maybe?

[@exileinderby51]

Great video, I spent many a happy hour at the TT. I also worked there so have very pleasant memories of the place. I came here courtesy of Don Coffey and I've subscribed

[@cabrides]

Thanks! Always loved the TT. I was there most years for quite a while. It was a wonderful experience and I always wanted to buy a bike when I got home :-) Thanks for subscribing.

[@eldescanso2067]

Excellent video , very informative , thougherly enjoyed it ,well done and looking forward to your next one. Thanks.

[@cabrides]

Hi David. Thanks for the feedback. Don't forget to subscribe to get news of the next upload.

[@armstronggermany2995]

Wonderful. Added to my to do list. Thanks for the very informative commentry.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@neilcurson4505]

Just found your video's, watched them all today, superb broadcast quality, excellent informative commentary. Looking forward to more in the future.

[@cabrides]

Thanks Neil. Welcome aboard!

[@havingalook2]

That was so very interesting. The commentary was welcome and very informative. Thank you. Well done. Cheers

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@motormouser]

Very enjoyable and very informitive.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gerrybvr]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Subbed and looking forward to more.

[@cabrides]

Thanks Gerry. More on the way in the fullness of time :-)

[@michaelstevenson4391]

Thank for a most interesting and well produced video. The IOM has been on our go-to list for years. Must make the trip when we are back to some sort of normality - it looks great.

[@cabrides]

Hi Michael. Thanks for your comments. I'd highly recommend the Isle of Man. It's a beautiful place and there's a lot to explore. The people are really nice too. On the transport side of things beyond the Snaefell Mountain Railway there's the Isle of Man Steam Railway - think Thomas the Tank Engine and you won't be far wrong - which runs across the width of the island from Douglas to Port Erin, and the Manx Electric Railway, which takes you up the east coast to the northern port of Ramsey, to enjoy. I'll be featuring them all on the channel in the future. You won't regret a visit. Some lovely places to stay too. Hope you make it there :-)

[@michaelstevenson4391]

@@cabrides Thank you for that. Here's hoping - later this year perhaps?

[@Thomas1980]

Excellen Video 👍

[@cabrides]

Thank you!

[@Robbi496]

This is amazing

[@cabrides]

Thanks!

[@BS25BaldEagle]

Thank you for a very interesting video made special by your informative commentary.

[@cabrides]

Our pleasure!

[@benoosha4947]

Very pleasant, enjoyable and informative video.

[@cabrides]

Many thanks!

[@JohnsTransportMedia]

Very interesting video.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@Innerspace100]

Came here from Don's channel. Very lovely film of a very lovely railway line(!). Oh, and I have subscribed too. Looking forward to more films like this.

[@cabrides]

Thank you. Always nice to welcome Don's friends!

[@johnemsden735]

in a word fantastic

[@cabrides]

Thanks John. Pleased you enjoyed it.

[@johnemsden735]

@@cabrides looking forward to others this was well done and very informative

[@jerrydowse5061]

Lovely journey,thanks..If Don Coffey says its good,,,its good...Hope you are well Don.🤙

[@cabrides]

Thanks Jerry. And also to Don for the recommendation. Spoke with him last week. He's great!

[@Zartas17]

I'm glad Don recommended it! Subscription added.

[@cabrides]

Hi! Thanks for joining us. Great to have you onboard.

[@alisongottfreund9656]

Brilliant video lovely to see that beautiful land I never been there and I has cheered me up knowing that one day I would love to come and visit it keep up the good work and stay save as I am new to ur channel

[@cabrides]

Thanks Alison. Welcome aboard. You'd love the Isle of Man. I hope you manage to get there one day soon. More videos will be on the way shortly. Take care!

[@hoofie2002]

Was recommended by Don - great video. Subscribed for more👍

[@cabrides]

Welcome aboard!

[@Kivetonandrew]

The shed on the right beyond the Mines Tevern is not used for the air traffic people. They are in a shed to the left further up the line. The lines on the right belong to the Manx Electric Railway and are three foot gauge. The Snaefell Railway is three foot six inches gauge as are the ait traffic vehicles.

[@yvindascanius6061]

Subscribed on the recommendations of Don Coffey. Lots of magnificent views and some great information to with it! Not a lot of videos on your channel, but definitely potential for growth!

[@cabrides]

Welcome aboard! And thanks.

[@HSTPaul]

Came here via a recommendation from Don Coffey, great video and professionally done. Excellent work

[@cabrides]

Thanks Paul. Keep supporting Don!

[@HSTPaul]

@@cabrides You're welcome, and yes of course, I enjoy his videos too

[@davidhimmelsbach557]

That tram engineer has the dream 'retirement' gig.

[@tomlee9534]

Another subscription from Don Coffee’s recommendation.

[@cabrides]

Welcome Tom.

[@tomlee9534]

Great Railway Videos thanks. I’m very impressed so far. Living as I do in Guernsey, I’ll be trying to visit the Isle of Man when we’re free again. Crown Dependencies must stick together and all that. I’ll watch another film when it’s bed time.

[@chriswood5205]

A wonderful video on a wonderful railway. Thanks.

[@cabrides]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris. Thanks.

[@dcbrit2003]

Hopefully in August 2023

[@paulward6287]

🙏

[@raypitts4880]

AT 11-30 electrical braking via resisters across the armature also known as regenerative braking as used on any motor today to generate power and return it to a battery or over head national grid. the resister gains no power just trys to lock up the armature

[@mikec7108]

Excellent video - Many thanks. What are the cylindrical extensions fitted on top of some of the traction poles for ?

[@johnwhitehouse9885]

Thank you interesting and Enjoyable video. Love I o Man. Been 7 times in my. Younger days. Always Stop in. Peel. Would love to know if it’s Still there Thank you again.

[@cabrides]

Thanks for watching!

[@scabbycatcat4202]

Don't understand why you didn't show the Lady Isabella when you were talking about it? There are some beautiful views of it on the RHS from the railway.

[@cabrides]

Hi ScabbycatCat! She's definitely there where she should be on the right-hand side. The trees and bushes get in the way for a good bit, but you can see her from the first appearance about a minute in until the last at about 2:30.

[@paulr8882]

I've seen some of your cab rides on Sky TV recently and they were fantastic, even though the picture quality was not good. I can't get out and ride the rails because of chronic sickness but this is the next best thing in the meantime. I'm gonna have to splash out on a DVD or Bluray or two for better picture quality. Your narration is so good, really engrossing and informative at just the right points ( pun intended ). Is that a northern Irish accent apologies if I'm wrong?

[@cabrides]

Hi Paul Thanks for your kind comments. I'm sorry you've had less than optimal picture quality on Sky - the bandwidth of the channel is beyond our control. The best thing about the DVDs and Blurays is that you can turn me off if you want! And no. It's not a Northern Irish accent. But please don't apologise. I take it as a compliment. Some have guessed at Irish; others at South African. It's much more of a mongrel I think. :-)

[@NatSatFat]

I cannot believe as the chap said " it's a normal train, it goes up 12% incline no problem" (or some such) I thought a normal train could only do 5% incline?

[@rambojambone4586]

See all that track for the cog? Must have been recently replaced.

[@Cheekylittlemonkey81]

Are you the same guy who filmed the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway cab ride? PS 1000th subscriber!

[@cabrides]

Yes. You were the driver? It was a good day! Are you supposed to get a chocolate watch for being the 1000th subscriber? Unfortunately, because of Covid it's not possible to get it to you, but I'll be sure to eat one for you. :-) Welcome aboard!

[@Cheekylittlemonkey81]

@@cabrides indeed I was.

[@cabrides]

Great to hear from you Phil. Enjoyed the journey with you back in those warm and carefree days. Highly recommended.

[@thierrypauwels]

Why do the trams ride on the right?

[@TheMoonRover]

It's a better a view on the right for the majority of the way.

[@Banglish123]

Is the narrator's accent Manx? I couldn't quite place it.

[@cabrides]

'Fraid not :-) If we talk in dog terms I suppose it's more of a mongrel than a pedigree accent. There's a bit of quite a lot in there. But good try!

[@steamisbest]

Great video, I wish Don would narrate instead of that awful scrolling text, the number of times I have to rewind as when i've read the text i've missed what was pointed out. If I wanted to read text I would read a book.

[@cabrides]

Hi. I was talking with Don about the pros and cons of captions versus narration today. You'll find elsewhere in my comments someone else who took the opposite view and didn't like the commentary. He wanted to hear the sound of the journey. They're different approaches to achieve the same ends. Some people prefer one approach, others the opposite. So please don't be hard on Don. He's got a huge and loyal following, and rightly so. As for books? Surely video's the future? ;-)

[@traveladdict1]

I think "the cheery wave from the driver" is a bit of poetic licence, he looks miserable.

[@cabrides]

i‧ron‧y /ˈaɪərəni $ ˈaɪrə-/ ●○○ noun when you use words that are the opposite of what you really mean, often in order to be amusing

[@boroladcraig85]

Great video but couldn’t watch anymore. The commentary is not for me. I want to hear the environment and sounds and would much prefer scrolling text which would allow us to choose if we wish to read or not. Footage however is incredible and commentary is informative.

[@cabrides]

Hi Craig. Thanks for the feedback. I'm caught between two stools here, and have opted for the opposite approach from the one you prefer. The scrolling text option, for me, detracts from the pictures - you can't watch them and read the text at the same time. KZbin doesn't have the option of providing a second atmos-only soundtrack, unfortunately. That is only available on our selection of DVDs and Blurays on the website. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

[@davidoickle1778]

I rather enjoyed the narration. Lots of history and technical information.