In a move which has to be applauded for the first time Crich have released details of what will be happening on the day in advance including which trams are due to be in service in the morning and afternoon (subject to availability). The highlights of the day look certain to include a celebration of 50 Years since the closure of the Grimsby and Immingham Tramway with a line-up on the Depot Fan – this will include Grimsby & Immingham 14 and Gateshead 5 (which used to operate on the Grimsby & Immingham system after the closure of the Gateshead system). Whilst in the afternoon Blackpool Toastrack 166 will be launched on the Depot Fan following its winter overhauk. Unfortunately the tram is not ready to re-enter passenger service just yet but the chance will, hopefully and subject to availability, be taken for a Workshop Test to be run.
The timetable of events in full (as posted on the Official Crich website):
1000-1530: Book Sale – The Great Exhibition Hall
1015: Curtain Raiser – Tramcar Cavalcade to Wakebridge
1030: Tram service commences from Town End
1030: 50 Years since the closure of Grimsby & Immingham Tramway – Line Up on Depot Fan
1030-1200: Works Cars in operation
1100-1200: Shunting on Depot Fan
1200-1400: Service cars return to Depot Fan for lunch
1315: Launch of Blackpool 166 on Depot Fan, followed by demonstration of the tram on Workshop Test (subject to availability)
1415: Photographic Opportunities – Trams due to enter Workshop for overhaul (Sheffield 510, Liverpool 869, Berlin 3006)
1430-1530: Works Cars in operation
1430 & 1530: Behind the scenes tours of the archives
1630: Tramcars start to return to Depot
Service Cars – subject to availability:
AM - Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2, Chesterfield 7, Blackpool Standard 40, Southampton 45, Sheffield 74, Leeds 180, Blackpool Pantograph 167, MET 331, Glasgow 812, Berlin 3006
PM - Glasgow 22, Johannesburg 60, Leeds 399, London Transport 1622 plus a selection from morning trams depending on weather
In addition there is due to be a Book Sale in the Great Exhibition Hall between 1000 and 1500 where a large number of surplus books and journals donated to the Museum will be sold off to raise funds for the reading room to continue to maintain and collections it stores. A large and varied stock will be on sale with prices ranging from £1 to £50.
Blackpool Toastrack 166 is seen during last years Enthusiasts Event at Crich being shunted by the Blackpool Electric Locomotive 717 as a withdrawn tram. Just 12 months later the tram will be one of the stars of the Enthusiasts Event in 2011 as it is due to be launched during the afternoon before undertaking a test run.
Photo: Tony Waddington
For the record the “Beside the Seaside” event will have the following features:
* A beach area complete with buckets and spades for children to build their own sandcastles
* George Formby tribute act
* Punch & Judy shows
* juggler and stilt walker
* ballroom dancing
* seaside themed menus in Rita’s Tearoom and the Red Lion Pub
* fairground
* children’s craft activities
* candy floss and seaside rock