The annual Transport Extravaganza at Crich takes a decidedly seaside theme this year with the chance taken to celebrate 125 years in Blackpool! The main interest for the tram enthusiast should be the use of the operational Blackpool trams in service (Rack 2, Standard 40 and Pantograph 167 - two of which will actually be heading back to Blackpool in September).

Other highlights of the two day event will be:
* Family seaside craft activities including a beach with deckchairs and buckets and spades and face painting
* George Formby Tribute Act
* Punch and Judy Shows
* Seaside themed menus in Rita’s Tearoom and Red Lion Pub
* Hundreds of vehicles on display and on the move including classic sports cars and motorcycles, buses and even steam traction engines
* Trade stands

Further details on the event can be found here. Normal admission prices apply: £10.50 (adults), £5.50 (child 4-15 years old), £9.50 (senior) and £29.50 (family – 2 adults and 3 children)

As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations the Seaton Tramway are celebrating over the entire Bank Holiday Weekend including the use of the original Eastbourne fleet and the chance to recreate the very first journey as far as Bobsworth Bridge (which took place on 28th August 1970) including a behind the scenes tour at Riverside Depot.

Friday 27th August 2010
Original Eastbourne/early Seaton fleet will be running during service including Works Tram 02.
Between 1100 and 1500 children’s entertainer Cosmo the Clown will be at Colyton Station.

Saturday 28th August 2010
Depot Visit and a step back in time when the first tram travelled to Bobsworth Bridge on 28th August 1970. Relive this experience with tram 8 departing Seaton at 1100, 1200, 1400 and 1500 travel to Bobsworth Bridge and on your return a 20 minute visit to Riverside Depot before completing your journey at Seaton Terminus. Standard fare applies, adult £8.35, concession £7.50 and child £5.85.
Between 1100 and 1500 children’s entertainer Cosmos the Clown will be at Colyton Station.

Sunday 29th August 2010
Depot Visit and a step back in time when the first tram travelled to Bobsworth Bridge on 28th August 1970. Relive this experience with tram 2 departing Seaton at 1100, 1200, 1400 and 1500 travel to Bobsworth Bridge and on your return a 20 minute visit to Riverside Depot before completing your journey at Seaton Terminus. Standard fare applies, adult £8.35, concession £7.50 and child £5.85.
Tram Driving Experiences available for £20. Drive a tram from Colyton to Colyford and Colyford to Colyton with available sessions at 1030, 1110, 1150, 1310, 1350, 1430, 1510, 1550 and 1630. Includes a souvenir certificate, a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits. A guest passenger for £5 with cup of tea/coffee and biscuits. You can pre-book the lesson or turn up on the day. Phone 01297 20375 to book the lesson.
Between 1100 and 1400 local band Amycrofters Folk Music will be playing on Colyton Station platform.

Monday 30th August 2010
All trams in the fleet will appear including Works Car 02.
Tram Driving Experiences available for £20. Drive a tram from Colyton to Colyford and Colyford to Colyton with available sessions at 1030, 1110, 1150, 1310, 1350, 1430, 1510, 1550 and 1630. Includes a souvenir certificate, a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits. A guest passenger for £5 with cup of tea/coffee and biscuits. You can pre-book the lesson or turn up on the day. Phone 01297 20375 to book the lesson.
Between 1100 and 1500 Nick Taylor (guitar vocalist 70s Glamrock and Soul) will be playing on Colyton Station platform.

Further details on the event can be found here. For details of the timetable in operation and fares click here.

All available trams in the Wirral Heritage Tramway’s fleet will be out during the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday. The trams will be on display at Woodside Ferry Terminal during the afternoon and a two car service (return fares £1.20) will be in operation between 1300 and 1600. The day promises to have excellent photo opportunities throughout the afternoon. It is believed that Birkenhead 20 will not feature in the events and Blackpool Brush 626 which has recently been delivered is unlikely to be on display.

Further details on the event can be found on the MTPS Website.



Please note: British Trams Online has no plans for coverage of these events.


All information in this preview is provided in good faith and is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to press (Sunday 22nd August 2010).