The end is in sight for the depot refurbishment work at Crich Tramway Village, with the building work now essentially complete and only the main shed doors remaining to be finished. This has allowed several trams to be moved back to their normal storage positions with yet another major shunt-around taking place on Saturday 24th February.
As will be remembered, the need to clear out different parts of the main depot complex at different times led to a big reorganisation of the trams at Crich last November. Now, with all of the depots able to be used again as the new roof and wall insulation is installed, a number of trams have been moved back from the Exhibition Hall, allowing the more familiar displays there to be reinstated now that it is possible for the trams inside to be better spaced out for viewing.
The depot work is on target to be finished for when the museum re-opens on Saturday 17th March. For now, here are some more images showing a number of trams being moved on the traverser to enjoy.
Blackpool 762 has spent the winter in the unusual surroundings of Depot VI but has now moved back to Depot 2, and is seen being moved on the traverser - on which it only just fits!
Gateshead 5 was moved from the Exhibition Hall to Depot Vi, taking the spot vacated by 762.
This year sees Blackpool & Fleetwood 2's 120th birthday but sadly it remains out of service, however it too enjoyed a brief airing on 24th February to enable other trams to be moved.
Glasgow 1115 returns to the Exhibition Hall after spending the last few months stored in the depots.
Another tram which rarely emerges from the Exhibition Hall is Douglas 1, seen here being moved out. This was to enable access to another very elusive vehicle...
The Manchester horse drawn tower wagon is pictured being manoeuvered into its required position. (All photos by Peter Whiteley)