And once again we take a look at just where you can enjoy a ride on a heritage tram in the British Isles as we are “Going for a ride…”. Last week we inadvertently said there were no special events taking place although that was actually rubbish as the Crich Tramway Village’s The Great War: The Home Front has been taking place since Monday 13th july and will continue until Sunday 19th July with highlights including Chesterfield 7 as the recruitment tram and, despite not being a tram still worthy of a mention, the London Battle Bus is visiting. Away from Crich and there is another weekend of more intensive operation in Blackpool with a Green timetable on Saturday 18th July and a special Gold timetable on Sunday 19th July which includes heritage trams running to Fisherman’s Walk throughout the day. And then it isn’t too long until the Manx Heritage Transport Festival so plenty to keep you occupied as summer really gets going.
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 (starting Wednesday 22nd July).
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: Heritage trams operate on weekends until Sunday 9th November plus school holidays and Bank Holidays.
Timetable in operation:
Saturday 25th July to Friday 28th August – Blue timetable (2 trams in service mainly running between Pleasure Beach and North Pier up to every 20 minutes from 1000-1700)
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 19th July – Gold timetable (6 trams in service) with services running between Pleasure Beach and Fisherman’s Walk. Further details at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=11824
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 – Until 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 Sunday 19th July then every Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday & Sunday between Tuesday 21st July and Sunday 6th Sptember. Opening hours 1200 until 1630.
Next Special Event: End of Season Gala – Saturday 26th (1200-2100) & Sunday 27th September (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.
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 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.
Next Special Event: Pirate Day – Friday 31st July (featuring the “Seaton Pearl” tramcar no. 4)
More info @ http://www.tram.co.uk
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Until 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.
The only tramway featured in this article not to have a photo included so far this year was Summerlee but that is now recified as we show Glasgow 1017 in operation on 3rd July 2015. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)