Event: Glasgow 50 & Enthusiasts Tram Event
Where: Crich Tramway Village
When: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th September 2012
It has been one of the most anticipated tram events of 2012 and the event to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the last tram routes in Glasgow is nearly upon us with a two day spectacular taking place at Crich on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September. But the event will not just be about the Glasgow celebrations as two old friends will hopefully be returning to the operational fleet over the two days of the event.
On the Glasgow front there are probably three undoubted highlights: 1068, 1115 and 1282. It has been known for some time that thanks to sponsorship from the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society Paisley 68 was being repainted into the blue route Glasgow livery and was returning to its Glasgow identity of 1068 whilst 1282 was being returned to operational condition for the event and these two trams – both of which haven’t operated for a while – were making the event one of the “must sees” of 2012. But then a couple of weeks ago it was revealed that 1115was to be extracted from the Exhibition Hall for display at the event which took excitement to a whole new level. This tram was, of course, kept tucked away in the Exhibition Hall in the “Trams at Night” section for many years and when the display was redone a couple of years ago it was quickly stuck right at the back on display again so for it be extracted for this event is a major bonus and huge credit for the TMS in doing this.
It is planned that both 1068 and 1282 will be operational on both days of the event (although it has never been 100% confirmed that they will be able to carry passengers or the extent they will be able to operate) alongside fellow Glasgow trams 22 and 812but they will not enter service immediately on either day.
On Saturday 15th September the day starts at 1000 when the non-Glasgow service cars will leave depot and this should include Leeds 345 which has recently seen extensive workshop attention to bring it back into the operational fleet following problems over the last few years. It is planned that, if it is available, 345 will operate the first service from Town End at 1030 and it should be joined out on the main line by seven other non-Glasgow passenger trams including its fellow Leeds trams. Sheffield 330– the works car – is also due to be out operating on the mainline during the morning.
Attention will then shift to the Glasgow celebrations as at 1115 it is planned to launch Glasgow 1068. As we reported last week the tram will be piped out of the Depot before 15 minutes later it is joined by the other three operational Glasgow trams (22, 812 and 1282) in a procession from the Depot Fan. Then at 1230 the much anticipated Glasgow Car line up on the Depot Fan will be formed, this will be a very rare opportunity to see the various different route colours together on display.
From 1330 the popular shunting will commence. This is a regular occurrence at Enthusiasts events at Crich and will likely feature various withdrawn trams currently lurking at the back of the main Depots appearing briefly on the Depot Fan. Then between 1430 and 1600 there will be a Photographic Opportunity on the Traverser as one of the Museum’s non-operational trams is displayed.
The day then starts to come to a close from 1700 as the Glasgow trams are all moved into the Workshop and the chance is taken to create “A Crich Coplawhill”! This will best be viewed from the Workshop Viewing Gallery and will give just a little taste of what it used to be like in Glasgow at the end of service (although on a much smaller scale!) The final service tram will then depart Town End at 1730 bringing an end to day one of the event.
Sunday 16th September starts off pretty much as the previous day ended with “A Crich Coplawhill” viewable from the Workshop Gallery at 1000. The non-Glasgow service cars will also start to leave Depot from this time and this should include another eight trams (all are scheduled to be different from the Saturday).This time the first service tram should be Blackpool 167, departing at 1030, and this tram is also making a very welcome return to the operational fleet after a couple of years of problems.
The days curtain raiser will feature Glasgow 1055 (or Liverpool 869as it is better known) and this will also feature in a special photographic opportunity at Town End from 1130. The operational Glasgow trams will have left Depot in a Procession at 1100 before returning for the Glasgow Car Line Up on the Depot Fan between 1245 and 1345 – this may well be the last chance for a long time for all of the different route colours to all be seen together.
The Depot Fan shunting returns from 1330 and there will be another Photographic opportunity on the Traverser between 1430 and 1600 and this has been promised to be a different tram from that used on the Saturday. The event will then be bought to a close from 1730 when the last service tram will depart Town End.
In addition to all the tram excitement there will be a Book Sale in the Exhibition Hall on both days between 1000 and 1600 giving enthusiasts the chance to fill any gaps in their collection from excess items donated to the TMS.
* A full timetable of events for both days can be downloaded from the Crich Tramway Village website (this includes details of which trams are due to operate on which day). As with any event of this kind the plan is as outlined but these are vintage vehicles so they may not want to do exactly as they are told!
The Lowdown on the Crich Tramway Village
Crich Tramway Village
The site of Crich Tramway Village was part of the mineral railway built by George Stephenson to link the quarry to Ambergate. The Crich site came into the hands of the Tramway Museum Society in 1959 and over the years has developed in an internationally recognised tramway collection with trams from all over the world. A running line of approximately one mile in length is operated when the Museum is open to the public, with trams also on display in the Depots and Great Exhibition Hall. The public can also view work on tram restoration projects from the Workshop Viewing Gallery. Several historic buildings populate the “town end” of the tramway including the facade of the Derby Assembly Rooms and the recently restored Stone Workshop which houses a new exhibition space and learning centre. There are also other attractions for the general public including the Woodland Walk with its sculpture trail, and a lead mining display at Wakebridge where passengers may alight from the trams. The small park area close to the Museum entrance has also been revamped recently and now looks much more in fitting with the period village atmosphere.
The Trams
The majority of the operational trams at the Museum are expected to make some sort of appearance during the two days of the event and with the shunting on the Depot Fan a number of the non-operational trams will also likely be seen outside. This year has seen two Blackpool trams join the operational fleet – 236 and 630 – whilst London United Tramways 159 also made an all too brief appearance in service before an incident saw it withdrawn for an investigation to take place. As mentioned above this weekend should see Glasgow trams 1068 and 1282 operate and two other trams return to the operational pool – Leeds 345 and Blackpool 167, so it should be a great weekend for tramcar variety. A full fleet list of the trams on site at Crich can be found at www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/crich.html.
How to find the Museum
Crich is another tram location in the UK where it is a lot easier to get to if you have a car! It is just eight miles from junction 28 of the M1 and can also be accessed using the A38, the A6, the A61 and the A52. A map showing the location of the museum can be found of their website here.
If you do wish to travel by Public Transport it is possible but if using train you better bring your walking boots! The nearest railway station is at Whatstandwell (on the East Midlands Trains Derby-Matlock line) which is approximately one mile away although to get to the Museum it is a very steep uphill walk. Alternatively there are railway stations at Belper, Matlock and Alfreton from where you can either travel by bus or by Taxi. Local buses run from Matlock, Alfreton, Ripley and Belper and further details can be found from Derbyshire County Council here.
How Much Does it Cost?
Admission prices are as follows:
Adult £12.00
Child (4-15 years) £7.00
Senior £9.50
Family (2 adults and 3 children) £35.00
These prices give you free return admission for 12 months, excluding certain special events. Members of the Tramway Museum Society, and some other societies, are granted free admission.
Want to Know More?
Check out the official Crich Tramway Village website at www.tramway.co.uk and this includes a blog which features the latest news.
Weather
It’s often been said that Crich has its own climate so it’s probably best not to expect too much weather-wise. To view the BBC 5 day weather forecast for Matlock click here.
Online Coverage
We plan to include “Live” coverage on our Facebook page on both days of the event. British Trams Online will be attendance for both days of the event and comprehensive coverage including photos and an article will follow. All being well this should be online by Tuesday 18th September.
All information in this preview is provided in good faith and is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to press, although all planned events are subject to change or cancellation if unforeseen circumstances dictate. Please note that this event is not organised by British Trams Online and that we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies contained in this article. If you plan to visit for any specific attraction, we would advise you to check the websites mentioned in this feature before travelling. We will of course endeavour to keep our news page updated with any new developments involving any of the trams that are due to appear at this event.