Overlooked UK mountain train journey leads to the gateway of seven legendary kingdoms

Hop on this hidden gem and enjoy a journey where the past and your imagination come together, heading up to the highest mountain on the Isle of Man.

This is the only electric mountain railway in the whole of the British Isles, and it’s packed with history, local stories, and a magical atmosphere.

The train climbs from Laxey all the way to the top of Snaefell, the tallest mountain on the island. At 2,036 feet above sea level, it’s said to be the place where you can see seven mythical kingdoms from the summit.

Photo © David Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

The railway was built in 1895 and usually runs between March and November. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top on a one-way trip.

Covering five miles, the train runs on electricity using overhead wires that carry about 550 volts. It still uses much of its original Victorian design, and people from all over come to take in the amazing views on this special ride.

When you reach Snaefell, also known as "Snow Mountain", you’ll spot five wooden railcars lined up. They’re numbered one to six, but you’ll notice number three is missing.

Photo © N Chadwick (cc-by-sa/2.0)

That’s because number three was damaged in a crash in 2016. What was left of it has been saved and there are plans to rebuild it, so it might return in the future.

The main station is in Laxey, where it links up with the Manx Electric Railway. The only stop on the way is at Bungalow, halfway up the mountain, where the train crosses the A18 road, made famous by the thrilling and risky Isle of Man TT motorbike race.

Not far from there is the Manx Museum in Douglas. This important building used to be a hospital and now has galleries full of Viking treasure, old Celtic stone crosses, and displays about Tynwald, the world’s oldest working Parliament.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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