We finally reach that busy period of major tram events with Crich’s the first to take place over the weekend of Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the discovery and adopting of the site in Crich as the home of what we now know as the Crich Tramway Village (well, officially anyway) this two day event is due to see 13 passenger trams running each day – including Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 – plus the Barnsley bus will be in operation both days. As always with events such as this at Crich there will also be photo line-ups which will include Gateshead 5 plus a Leeds (Saturday) and Sheffield (Sunday) line-up.
When is it?
Crich 60 takes place on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September. The museum will open at 0945 both days with photo opportunities available before the public service begins at 1030. Last trams run at 1700.
What trams will be in service?
It is planned that the following trams will be allocated to service each day. The intensive service is planned to run from 1030 to 1700 on both days.
Saturday 21st September
Glasgow 22, Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40, Sheffield 74, London County Council 106, Blackpool 166, Blackpool 236, Oporto 273, Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510, Blackpool 630, Blackpool 762, Liverpool 869. Berlin 223 006-4 will also operate departures at 1130 and 1430.
Sunday 22nd September
Chesterfield 7, Blackpool Standard 40, Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40, London County Council 106, Blackpool 166, Blackpool 167, Leeds 180, Blackpool 236, Oporto 273, Leeds 345, Leeds 399, Blackpool 762, Liverpool 869. Berlin 223 006-4 will also operate departures at 1130 and 1430.
Works Cars and Barnsley Bus no. 5 will also be in operation on both days.
All trams will operate subject to availability (and presumably the weather too!)
What planned photographic opportunities are there?
As well as the ad-hoc opps for photos as trams are running in service there will also be a number of staged line-ups on both days. Highlights will include:
Saturday 21st September
0945-1015: Cardiff 131 and Leeds 399 at Town End and a front of depot line-up
1230-1315: BET Display on the Depot Fan – Barnsley Bus no. 5 and Gateshead 5
1430-1530: Leeds line-up on Depot Fan
Sunday 22nd September
0945-1015: Blackpool Standard 40 at Town End and Liverpool 869, Leeds 345 and Cardiff 131 outside Learning Centre
1230-1315: BET Display on the Depot Fan – Barnsley Bus no. 5 and Gateshead 5
1430-1530: Sheffield line-up on Depot Fan
There will also be the shunting of trams around the depot dan at times during the day which will add further photo opportunities
What else is going on?
Plenty – some tram based highlights include:
Saturday 21st September
1000-1230 & 1315-1530: Barnsley Bus No. 5 in operation (departing Victoria Park)
1030: Start of tram service with Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 the first tram
1300: Handover of Barnsley Bus No. 5
1400: 7 to Glory Mine – Trams depart Town End and Depot Fan for 7 trams at the new Glory Mine.
1700: Last tram from Town End – Leeds 399 and Cardiff 131
There will also be cine films showing in the Lecture Room, guided tours detailing the history of the site at 1100 and 1300, the Whetstone Models in Great Exhibition Hall and Open Access to the Library. A number of family activities also take place including music, face painting and balloon modelling.
Sunday 22nd September
1000-1230 & 1315-1530: Barnsley Bus No. 5 in operation (departing Victoria Park)
1030: Start of tram service with Leeds 399 and Cardiff 131
1400: 7 to Glory Mine – Trams depart Town End and Depot Fan for 7 trams at the new Glory Mine.
1700: Last tram from Town End – 60 years since Leeds closure
Where can I find out more?
The full programme of events can be downloaded from the Crich Tramway Village website. The final programme will be posted on Friday 20th September.
What coverage will there be on British Trams Online?
We will be bringing you as it happens updates from both days on Facebook and full coverage of the event will hopefully follow on Wednesday 25th September.