Once again here is your one stop guide to just when and where you can go and enjoy a ride on a traditional tram in the British Isles over the next week or so. You may not realise it when you step out of your front door but we are now in the middle of the summer holidays and traditionally this means a quieter spell of special events for the majority of the tramways featured in this article. This week you can take a tram ride with a superhero on the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway (Saturday 15th August) and a little further into the month Sheffield 15 will be back out running at Crich (Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th August). And, of course, traditional trams can still be seen running in 13 different locations with a friendly welcome for anyone who fancies going for a ride…
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 Wednesday to Sunday between 1300 and 1700 until the end of the summer school holidays. Also operates on August bank holiday Monday.
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
Black Country Living Museum
Current Status: Open daily 1000 to 1700.
The tramway is now partly open with a service running between the tram depot and mine. The full line is due to reopen later this year.
More info @ http://www.bclm.co.uk/
Blackpool Tramway
Current Status: Heritage trams operate daily until Thursday 3rd September and then every weekend until Sunday 9th November (also daily during October half-term). Illumination Tours run nightly from Saturday 5th September until Sunday 9th November.
Timetable in operation:
Until Friday 28th August, Tuesday 1st to Thursday 3rd September, Sunday 6th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September – Blue timetable (2 trams in service mainly running between Pleasure Beach and North Pier up to every 20 minutes from 1000-1700)
Saturday 29th August – Green timetable (4 trams in service from 1000-1700 running mainly between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham with one evening trip to Fleetwood)
Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August – Gold timetable (6 trams in service 1000-1800 including several trips extended through to Fleetwood)
Saturday 5th September to Sunday 9th November – Illumination Tours will run nightly starting at Pleasure Beach.
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: Horse Tram Days – Tuesday 18th & Thursday 20th August
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 Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Open: Open every Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday & Sunday until Sunday 6th September. Then every Thursday, Saturday & Sunday until the end of September. 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 until Sunday 20th September and then Sundays only. Trams run between 1300 and 1700 on Saturdays and 1200 and 1700 on Sundays.
Next special event: Trans Lancs Transport Show –Sunday 6th September
More info @ http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk
Manx Electric Railway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Until Wednesday 26th August and Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September – 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.
Thursday 27th August to Wednesday 2nd September – Timetable F (17 departures daily departing Derby Castle between 0840 and 1740 with return journeys from Ramsey between 1010 and 1910 – two trips from Derby Castle only run to Laxey and two Laxey-Ramsey trips also run). Evening services run between Derby Castle and Ramsey on Friday 28th August and Wednesday 2nd September.
Monday 7th to Sunday 27th September – Timetable C (10 departures daily from Derby Castle between 0940 and 1640 plus Laxey to Ramsey departure at 0910. Services depart Ramsey between 1010 and 1740.) Evening services run Fridays 11th (to Ramsey), 18th (to Ramsey) and 25th (to Laxey).
For full details on forthcoming services on the Manx Electric Railway please visit the official website below.
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).
Tuesday 1st September to Wednesday 30th September – Blue Timetable (trams every 20 minutes from Seaton between 1000 and 1700 with return trips between 1030 and 1730)
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:
Until Wednesday 26th August and Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September – Timetable D (services every 30 minutes between 1015 and 1545). Evening services run every Wednesday and Friday for summit diners.
Thursday 27th August to Wednesday 2nd September – Timetable F (services every 30 minutes between 0945 and 1545). Evening services run on Friday 28th August and Wednesday 2nd September.
Monday 7th September to Sunday 27th September – Timetable C (services every 30 minutes between 1015 and 1545). Evening services for summit diners on Fridays 18th & 25th September.
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.
A view from the Blackpool Rocks Manchester event at the Heaton Park Tramway on Saturday 8th August with Manchester 765 and Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 at Lakeside. (Photograph by Steve Kemp)