And so it begins! This weekend marks the start of a hectic few weeks for the traditional trams of the British Isles with the launch into service of Liverpool 245 at Birkenhead (Saturday 12th September) whilst just across the Irish Sea on the Isle of Man it is the last operating weekend of 2015 for the Douglas Horse Tramway (last trams run Sunday 13th September). Read on below if you want to read the latest update of when and where you can enjoy a ride on a traditional tram at 13 different tramways 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 & Sunday between 1300 and 1700.
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: Grand Launch of Liverpool 245 – Saturday 12th September (premium fares in operation – see http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=12242 for more details)
More info @ http://www.mtps.co.uk
Black Country Living Museum
Current Status: Open daily 1000 to 1700.
The tramway is now fully reopen but you are advised to check before travelling as there have been occasions when it has either not being running at all or has been running limited hours.
More info @ http://www.bclm.co.uk/
Blackpool Tramway
Current Status: Heritage trams operate every weekend until Sunday 9th November and daily during October half-term. Illumination Tours run nightly until Sunday 9th November.
Timetable in operation:
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September, Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October – Blue timetable (2 trams in service mainly running between Pleasure Beach and North Pier up to every 20 minutes from 1000-1700)
Until Sunday 9th November – Illumination Tours will run nightly starting at Pleasure Beach.
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September – 130th Anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway (full details of this weekend, which will include an enhanced heritage tram service, can be found at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=12162)
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: TMS 60 – Saturday 19th September (more details can be found at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=12385)
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.
Next Special Event: Last day of 2015 season – Sunday 13th September (to include various different trams in service and on display and a mini cavalcade at 1720)
More info @ http://www.douglas.gov.im/index.php/leisure/horse-trams#.VQsem2dyaM8
East Anglia Transport Museum
Current Status: Open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Open: Open 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: Hullova Day – Sunday 11th October
More info @ http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk
Manx Electric Railway
Current Status: Daily operation.
Timetables in operation:
Until 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).
Monday 28th September to Sunday 4th October – Timetable B (7 departures daily from Derby Castle between 0940 and 1610 all but last service run all the way to Ramsey. Returns from Ramsey between 1110 and 1640).
From Tuesday 6th October to Thursday 29th October the Manx Electric Railway will only run Tuesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays. Timetable A will run during the week (4 return trips) and timetable B will run at weekends (6 return trips plus 1 single Laxey-Derby Castle in morning with return in evening)
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 Wednesday 30th September – Blue Timetable (trams every 20 minutes from Seaton between 1000 and 1700 with return trips between 1030 and 1730)
Thursday 1st October to Sunday 1st November – Yellow Timetable (trams every 30 minutes from Seaton between 1000 and 1600 with return trips between 1030 and 1630)
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 Sunday 27th September – Timetable C (services every 30 minutes between 1015 and 1545). Evening services for summit diners on Fridays 18th & 25th September.
Monday 28th September to Sunday 4th October – Timetable B (7 return services up the mountain every day between 1015 and 1545).
From Tuesday 6th October to Thursday 29th October the Snaefell Mountain Railway will only run Tuesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays. Timetable A will run during the week (7 return trips) and timetable B will run at weekends (7 return trips).
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 13th September 2015 will mark the end of the 139th season of the Douglas Horse Tramway. This view shows Mark in charge of 36 on 11th August 2013. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)