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Excavations in January for the Island's IRIS sewerage scheme had an unexpected surprise for transport enthusiasts, when work on Loch promenade Douglas, encroached upon the terminal cable pit for the former Cable Tramway - closed in 1929.

The existence of the pit, with its two large pulley wheels was well-known, and part of the tramway enthusiast folklore on the Island. But it was with some surprise and dismay when on Friday January 21st, the pit was opened up and the the great wheels, once responsible for reversing the cable back up Victoria Street, were uncovered and unceremoniously removed from their hideaway since 1896...

Our view (LEFT) shows the excavation work above the pit - not in Victoria Street but on the promenade adjacent to the current horse tramway terminus. (all pictures 22/01/00)

This second view looking from the seaside towards the former Peveril Hotel, clearly shows the terminal cable pit (A). The concrete roadway is supported by substantial steel girders.

At this time, the trench was being refilled, with the installation of new sewer pipes for the IRIS scheme.

This view from the same direction shows the remains of one of the wheels, which was smashed either during or before the excavation work. Other girder work and bearings from the former cable tramway terminal pit are scattered around by the edge of the excavations...

Painstaking archaeological excavations this was not...

This close-up shows one of the pulley wheel-bearings, dumped amongst girder work and rails by the side of the excavations. A similar bearing can be seen still attached to the surviving wheel below...

The surviving wheel was moved from the promenade to the nearby Lord Street Bus station, where it is seen here with present day forms of public transport in the background.

It is believed that the Cable tramway relics have been surveyed by representatives of the Manx Museum and Isle of Man Railways, and this wheel is to be retained pending a decision on its future.

Meanwhile, the shattered remains of the second wheel lie nearby, destined almost certainly for scrap...