The Isle of Man Railway Company was formed in 1870 by Act of Tynwald, the island's parliament and three years later established its first route connecting the capital Douglas with the western city of Peel on a line less than twelve miles long running along the island's central valley via Crosby and St. John's.

Plans were already in hand at this time for a second and more arduous route serving the south of the island and this was opened without ceremony just over one year after the initial route; it is that which remains operational today with Castletown Station at its heart, the best preserved station.,

This section charts the earliest days of the railway from the formation of the limited company and across its first decade of service, by which time a third and competing line to the north had been established by the Manx Northern Railway between Ramsey in the north and the central village of St. John's.

The initial years of the railway were ones of significant progress both in areas covered and rolling stock, but the changing fortunes of the island as a whole, opening up as it did the opportunity for insular travel. Each year below gives details of the more significant events of that year, including the station itself.