'We came from San Francisco for the Manx railway'
BBCA family from the United States said their trip to the Isle of Man had been inspired by their love of heritage railways.
Pawan Adhikari and his 11-year-old son travelled from San Francisco to be among the passengers on the island's first horse tram trip of the season.
First launched in 1876, the historic trams now operate as part of the government's heritage railway offering.
Pawan said his son was "really into steam trains" and they had decided to take the opportunity to "go to less travelled places" during their spring break.
While the journey had originally been planned around the steam railway, the father and son said they had loved seeing the rest of the island.
His son said: "A few months ago I did some research and then [my dad] brought it up that we should go there and I definitely agreed."
A local couple were also on board the horse tram for its first journey of 2026.
John and Jenny Williamson said they had deliberately chosen to be there on the service's opening day.
He said: "It was absolutely deliberate because we support the horse trams – we have over the years."
John described the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway as "international heritage".
"This is the only horse tramway in the world still operating to its original route or - as it is at the moment - part of its original route," he said.
He added that restoring the line fully to the Sea Terminal would help visitors arriving by ferry or cruise ships connect directly with the historic transport link.
"People visiting the island, if only for the day, can step straight onto a horse tram and come round the bay," he said.
The journey also brought back childhood memories for his wife Jenny, who recalled her first trip when she was nine.
"It was in about 1956 and I stepped off the ferry straight onto a horse tram," she recalled.
She said it was "something that you can't forget".
Another railway enthusiast was Harry Colville from Birmingham, who has visited the island for more than 50 years.
Harry's first visit was in 1967 and he said he still had the original ticket from his first ride on a horse tram, which at the time cost four old pennies.
"The first time, I was 11, it was my first proper holiday and I came on it with my dad," he said.
Harry said it was the island's heritage and atmosphere that had drawn him back time and again.
"I love the heritage transport, I love the history of the island and the slow pace of life and it just struck a chord with me," he said.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.