Popular nights at the Steam Railway Museum in Port Erin will take place on Thursdays throughout the summer starting this week.

Open late every Thursday from 9 July to 24 September 2015, the museum is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and volunteers are on hand from 6pm to 9pm to tell the story of the Isle of Man Steam Railway with video and audio presentations to complement their indepth knowledge.

Passengers taking advantage of the Pie and Mash trains departing Douglas at 7pm can spend an hour in Port Erin before the train returns around 9.15pm. Two course suppers and return train travel is ?25 per person. Standard train fares apply to non diners who can enjoy drinks from the Bar Car in both directions.

Isle of Man Railways is grateful to the following for their assistance in enabling the summer Nights At The Museum to continue: Mike Buttell, Stuart Mullen, Ed More, Matthew Callister, Frankie Mitchell, Peter Jordan and Callum Tilley. Volunteers are also on hand to provide guided tours from 10am to midday every Sunday.

Star exhibits are locomotive no. 16 Mannin, built specially for the Port Erin line in 1926 and no. 6 Peveril, locally fondly remembered as the Peel Engine, which celebrates its 140th birthday this year. The museum is also the home of the Royal Carriage and the Duke of Sutherland’s saloon coach.

Admission to the railway museum is ?2 for adults and ?1 for children, free of charge with a valid Go Explore card. There is no additional charge for guided tours although donations to the work of the volunteers are appreciated.

Exclusive gifts

The late night opening on Thursdays is also an opportunity for anyone looking for high quality railway souvenirs. The museum shop stocks a wide range of Thomas and Friends items plus IoM Railways exclusive gifts including newly arrived wooden jigsaws of the steam and electric railways and specially commissioned painted mugs, teapot stands and coaster sets.

The Steam Railway Museum and shop is open daily until 5 November 2015 from 10am to 4.30pm in addition to Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm until 24 September.

Booking information

To ensure your place on the Pie and Mash trains or other Dining Car events please call the booking clerk on 01624 697457.