'It's better than working!': Tram driver celebrates 50 years at the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
Peter Cannon has worked for the heritage service since 1975, dedicating most of his life to keeping the Isle of Man tradition on the rails.
He said: "I just enjoy it! It's better than working for a living!
"It was just a summer job really, and I kind of grew into it - I wasn't expecting to be here for 50 years!"
The heritage tramway has been in operation since 1876, and often draws tourists to the Douglas seafront for its unique traditional feel.
Peter confessed he was "not a horsey person at first" but learned to love working with them as time went on.
He said: "They just kind of grow on you, it's a strange thing really, you miss them when you're not here."
Peter first joined the Tramway team in 1975, as a conductor aged 17.
He then worked his way up to becoming a driver in the space of a year, and has spent the last five decades dedicated to driving the trams.
When asked what has kept Peter working at the tramway, he said: "Certainly not the money!".
"People say do you get bored looking at the horse's bum all the time - well not really - years gone by there's plenty going on on the promenade to keep you alert and keep you watching what's going on."
Peter has made countless trips up and down Douglas Promenade, but says the 100th anniversary of the trams was a particular highlight.
However he said there were "too many incidents to mention" and overall he has "just had a lot of fun over the years".
When Peter was asked whether it feels like 50 years of work, he said: "Depends on the weather!"
He concluded by saying: "There's a saying isn't there, if you can find something that you like as a job you know it's not like work is it? Well I suppose you can say I've never done a days work in my life."
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has been in operation since 1876 - next year celebrating its 150th year.
Peter said he looks forward to the Tramway marking the major milestone, and will work to keep the tradition going for as long as he can.
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