Further details of a proposed loan arrangement involving Grimsby & Immingham 14 have now been confirmed, with the tram due to make a very brief return to one of its old haunts later this month. The car – which is of course owned by the Tramway Museum Society – is normally a static exhibit at Crich Tramway Village, but is now set to visit Immingham for the first time since its native system closed down way back in 1961.
The TMS have agreed to let Immingham Museum borrow Grimsby & Immingham 14 for an event to commemorate the centenary of the Immingham docks this summer. It had been suggested that the tram could have an extended stay there, which would have certainly been helpful due to the shortage of depot space at Crich caused by the recent arrivals from Blackpool. However, the Museum has been unable to provide suitable storage accomodation for the car, so as a compromise it will be displayed at Immingham Docks on the weekend of Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd July. Afterwards it will be returned home. It is extremely pleasing that the TMS have agreed to loan out the tram, if only for a few days, especially in view of the large number of projects that are keeping the workshop team busy over the summer months, whilst the size of 14 will no doubt present the hauliers with an interesting challenge! The easy option would undoubtedly have been to say no, but by helping Immingham Museums, the reputation of the Society should be enhanced.
As the only original Grimsby & Immingham tram still in existence, 14 is a very valuable car and it is also the longest tram in the national collection. It has resided at Crich since 1990, with a lengthy stay at Clay Cross (the former British Rail store now used by the TMS) being followed by a short stay at the National Railway Museum in York. The construction of the Exhibition Hall allowed several trams to be accomodated at Crich for the first time and so 14 came to Crich in the summer of 1990, where it was treated to a full repaint in British Rail green livery. Since then it has normally been found at the back of the depots although it has occasionally appeared outside for special events. This loan will therefore be a welcome return to the limelight for this somwhat forgotten tramcar, and will hopefully be a good opportunity to introduce Crich Tramway Village to a whole new audience who may not be aware of its existence.
Given Beamish Museum’s proposal to repaint its Gateshead tram temporarily in British Railways green livery later this year, it would be nice to see the two trams together at Beamish or elswhere.