Preparations for the next 1940s-themed event at Crich Tramway Village, taking place from 8th to 14th August inclusive, are well underway and this has included preparing a tram in wartime guise for the occasion. Glasgow 812 has been selected, being a fairly typical British tramcar which was around during that period in history.
812 has received a number of minor alterations to its familiar orange livery, such as blackout masks over its headlamps and white painted bumpers – typical amendments to many trams made in the war years. It is planned that the tram will be displayed in the depot fan area on every day of the 1940s event, with members of the museum’s curatorial team on hand to explain the modifications made to trams in many towns and cities during the Second World War and answer questions from visitors.
Regrettably, Glasgow 812‘s role in this major event will be a static one: the popular tram was withdrawn last year requiring a major overhaul, and is unlikely to run again until this can be undertaken. Perhaps it would have been better to do this work on an operational car to really bring history to life, although 812 will no doubt be an interesting addition to what is usually one of the most popular annual events at Crich.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield 7 has also moved into the workshop, taking the space recently vacated by Blackpool 40 which is now back in regular service following its recent full repaint. 7 has not yet run in 2016, having been stored due to minor paintwork damage following the removal of the recruitment posters it carried last year. Hopefully the tram will soon be recommissioned, providing another useful open balcony car and boosting the running fleet at the museum which currently consists of 17 electric passenger trams, plus one horse tram and works vehicles.
Problem with making those amendments to a working exhibit is the black out windows ruin the view for visitors riding the tram. Glad they’ve chosen 812