There aren’t many trams in the British Isles which can lay claim to having an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records but the original MER motors can do so. They are officially the oldest trams in the world still operating on their original system and despite their 125 year old age they still see regular use with timetable D even seeing a timetabled service for them during much of the year. In this article we feature no. 1.
1 sits in the Groudle Siding at Derby Castle on 5th September. On this day it was in use on Groudle Shuttles with sister 2.
Two 125 year old vehicles together heading back to Derby Castle Sheds. In this view 1 is with trailer 51, a regular combination and something you well have seen on the same stretch of track 125 years previously with both vehicles having been built in 1893 for the new Manx Electric Railway. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)