So what is there on offer for you in the world of heritage tram running in the British Isles over the next week or so? Well the highlight looks set to be another intensive weekend of Heritage Tram Tours in Blackpool with the Green timetable (four trams mainly between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham with one journey to Fleetwood) running on Saturday 20th June and the Gold timetable (six trams in use with some trips to Starr Gate including some full length Starr Gate-Fleetwood journeys) in operation on Sunday 21st June. Elsewhere it is pretty much business as usual although don’t forget just because there isn’t a special event going it doesn’t mean there isn’t a good reason to go for a ride at any tramway in the British Isles!
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Current Status: Open daily from 1000 to 1700.
More info @ http://www.beamish.org.uk.
Birkenhead Heritage Tramway
Current Status: Operates every Saturday and Sunday between 1300 and 1700. Also operates on August bank holiday Monday and Wednesdays-Fridays during school holidays.
Timetable in operation: Trams depart Taylor Street every half hour between 1250 and 1620 returning from Woodside between 1305 and 1635 using 1 tram.
Next Special Event: Superhero Day – Saturday 15th August
More info @ http://www.mtps.co.uk
Blackpool Tramway
Current Status: Operates weekends until Sunday 9th November plus school holidays and Bank Holidays.
Timetable in operation:
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June, Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July, Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July – Blue timetable (2 trams in service mainly running between Pleasure Beach and North Pier up to every 20 minutes from 1000-1700)
Saturday 20th June & Saturday 18th July – Green timetable (4 trams in service running between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham every 20 minutes from 1000-1800, one journey extended to Fleetwood)
Sunday 21st June – Gold timetable (6+ trams in service). This will include the only opportunity this year to ride on the heritage fleet to Starr Gate in passenger service.
Please note at the time of writing full details have not yet been released regarding the Green and Gold timetables over the weekend of 20th/21st June. As soon as details are announced they will be reported on our news pages along with the Blackpool Heritage Tours Facebook page (details below).
Wednesday 15th July – Ride & Dine Wednesday
Please note these dates are only for approximately the next month, for details of operating information beyond either see the Events Diary or visit the link below.
More info @ https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours
Crich Tramway Village
Current Status: Open daily until Sunday 1st November.
Next special event: The Great War: Home Front – Monday 13th to Sunday 19th July
More info @ http://www.tramway.co.uk
Douglas Horse Tramway
Current Status: Running daily until Sunday 13th September
Timetable in operation: First tram departs Strathallan at 0900 and then every 20 minutes until 1720. Return journeys commence from the Sea Terminal at 0920 and then every 20 minutes until 1740.
More info @ http://www.douglas.gov.im/index.php/leisure/horse-trams#.VQsem2dyaM8
East Anglia Transport Museum
Current Status: Open Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays plus selected school holidays.
Open: Open every Thursday, Saturday & Sunday until summer school holidays. Opening hours 1200 until 1630.
Next Special Event: 50th Anniversary of the Museum Site – Saturday 4th (1200-1630) & Sunday 5th July (1030-1630)
More info @ http://www.eatm.org.uk/index.html
Great Orme Tramway
Current Status: Daily operation until end of October.
Timetable in operation: Trams every 20 minutes between 1000 and 1800.
More info @ http://www.greatormetramway.co.uk/index.asp
Heaton Park Tramway
Current Status: Open every Saturday & Sunday. Trams run between 1200 and 1600. (Please check before travelling as the tramway was closed last weekend for the completion of electrical works)
Next special event: Blackpool Event – Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th August
More info @ http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk
Manx Electric Railway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Until Friday 17th July – Timetable C (11 services in each direction including 9 full length journeys). On all Wednesdays during this period and Fridays until 26th June evening services run between Derby Castle and Laxey, from Friday 3rd July evening services also run through to Ramsey)
Saturday 18th July to Wednesday 26th August – Timetable D (15 departures each day from Derby Castle 10 of which travel all the way to Ramsey with the remaining 5 terminating at Laxey – similar pattern in reverse). On all Wednesdays evening services run between Derby Castle and Laxey (plus 1 Groudle Glen service) and on all Fridays evening services operate between Derby Castle and Ramsey).
For full details on forthcoming services on the Manx Electric Railway please visit the official website below.
Next special event: Manx Heritage Transport Festival – Wednesday 29th July to Sunday 2nd August
Seaton Tramway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Until Friday 10th July – Blue Timetable (trams every 20 minutes from Seaton between 1000 and 1700 with return trips from Colyton between 1030 and 1730)
Saturday 11th July to Monday 31st August – Red Timetable (trams every 20 minutes from Seaton between 1000 and 1700 with return trips between 1030 and 1730 – extra journeys run at busy times)
For full details on forthcoming services on the Seaton Tramway please visit the official website below.
More info @ http://www.tram.co.uk
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Saturday 13th June to Friday 17th July – Timetable C (services every 30 minutes between 1015 and 1545). Evening services run every Wednesday and Friday for summit diners.
Saturday 18th July to Wednesday 26th August – Timetable D (services every 30 minutes between 1015 and 1545). Evening services run every Wednesday and Friday for summit diners.
Summerlee – The Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Current Status: Open daily between 1000 and 1700.
Opening hours: 1000-1700. One tram is usually in service each day.
More info @ http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/summerlee
The information provided above is given in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you know of any errors please contact us by using the comments section below or by emailing gareth@britishtramsonline.co.uk.
Sunday 21st June will be a rare chance to enjoy the site of heritage trams on New South Promenade between Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate so what better excuse than to head back to 6th September 2009 for a view of Balloon 717 on this stretch of track shortly before it was closed for upgrade. This photo was taken at Harrow Place with the tram running all the way to Fleetwood Ferry. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)