Snaefell Mountain Railway

Snaefell Mountain Railway
Tram No. 4 at the summit
Overview
Native nameRaad Yiarn Sniaull
OwnerDepartment of Infrastructure
Termini
  • Laxey (Interchange) Station
  • Snaefell Summit Station
Stations3
Service
Operator(s)Isle of Man Heritage Railways
Depot(s)Laxey (Snaefell) Depot
History
Opened1895
Technical
Line length5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Track length11.7 miles (18.8 km)
Number of tracksDouble Track (right-hand traffic)
Rack systemFell System
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Electrification550 V DC Overhead Wire
Highest elevation2,036 feet (621 m).
Maximum incline1:10 (10 %)

The Snaefell Mountain Railway (Manx: Raad Yiarn Sniaull) is an electric mountain railway on the Isle of Man in Europe. It joins the village of Laxey with the summit of Snaefell, at 2,036 feet (621 m) above sea level the highest point on the island. It connects with the Manx Electric Railway (MER) in Laxey. The line is 5 miles (8 km) long, is built to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge and uses a Fell Incline Railway System centre rail for braking on the steep gradients. It is electrified using overhead wires at 550 volts direct current, with bow collectors.