As we reported at the weekend the 2015 season at the Crich Tramway Village kicked off on a damp Saturday 28th March with Blackpool Brush 630 operating the first service. This first day also saw fellow Blackpool car Standard 40 and Leeds 345 in action along with the access tram Berlin 223 006-4. And now, with thanks to Hazel Quarmby, we are delighted to be able to bring you some images from that first day.
As well as the first trams of the year 28th March also saw the debut of the new look “The Forge” shop with a new light and airy interior whilst the new Pram and Buggy Shelter at Town End also welcomed its first customers.
Day two of the season – Sunday 29th March – saw the two Blackpool trams in action again this time joined by Sheffield 510 with Monday 30th March seeing just a two tram service with 630 and 510 the chosen pair on this day.
The commissioning process for the 2015 season is ongoing and 19 electric passenger trams are currently going through this to be used throughout the year. These trams are: Chesterfield 7 (which will be the WW1 recruitment tram), Blackpool 40, Sheffield 74, London United Tramways 159, Blackpool 166, Blackpool 167, Leeds 180, Blackpool 236, Oporto 273, MET 331, Leeds 345, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510, Blackpool 630, Blackpool 762, Glasgow 812, Glasgow 1068, London Transport 1622 and Berlin 223 006-4. They will be joined by London County Council 106 on Saturday 13th June (during the Classic London event) and it is also hoped that Liverpool 869’s overhaul will be completed in time for it to be used during 2015.
Sheffield 15 will also be commissioned for use on the special Horse Tram Days and works vehicles Croydon Tramlink 058, Cardiff 131, the Blackpool Electric Locomotive and the Modern Tower Wagon TW4 are also being commissioned for use.
The more eagle eyed amongst will notice that a notable omission from the operational list this year – as well as the previously publicised Blackpool & Fleetwood 2 and Southampton 45 which were withdrawn last year – is Glasgow 22. This tram should be the next in line for lifting and it is thought unlikely it will see service in 2015 before this takes place.
Thanks to the Crich Tramway Village for the information contained within this article.
Leeds 345 travels through the Bowes Lyon Bridge on the newly relaid interlaced track.
Blackpool 630 stands at Glory Mine during the first morning of service in 2015.
The other two trams in service on the first day were Blackpool 40 and Berlin 223 006-4 which are seen here at Stephenson Place.
The new and improved The Forge shop.
Another view of The Forge shop.
The new Pram and Buggy Shelter at Town End. (All Photographs by Hazel Quarmby on 28th March 2015)
Blackpool 630 looks horrible with that box and pantograph on top.
It had been modified out of all recognition.
Also with the new lights, hopper windows, and modified bumper.
Hopefully one day they will replace it with a proper gantry and trolley pole.
Diamond pantos just don’t look right on these heritage single deck trams.
Personally I hope they never do that as it would defeat the whole purpose of preserving 630! The idea was to showcase how a 1930s tram was modernised to carry on running in public service right into the 21st century. The TMS already own another Brush Railcoach (298) which should ultimately be presented in its original condition, so hopefully there will be an opportunity to show both together and illustrate the evolution of the class over a period of sixty years.
Why is their such a clamour to turn the clock back to 0 for every single tramcar. The evolution of the tram is fundamental to the story of how Blackpool survived. Would be inexplicable if preservation erased it from history just because it does not look “pretty”.
Although for what its worth 630 IS pretty – well I think it is anyway! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
I presume you also want them to ‘unrebuild’ 762 back to 714 then, Phil??
As Andrew says, showing the contrast with 298 (eventually) is the point of preserving her.