Saturday 11th July 2020 saw the re-opening of the Crich Tramway Village for the first time since it was forced to close as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. With new guidelines in place – including the wearing of face masks for passengers on-board the trams and timed tram ride tickets having to be obtained from admissions – a visit to Crich is now a different experience to that which could be enjoyed pre-pandemic but the main thing is that it is as safe as possible for visitors whilst also allowing the museum to gain some much needed funds through the admittance of those visitors.
On the first day a two-tram service ran with Chesterfield 7 and Blackpool Standard 40 allocated to service. All tram journeys start and end at Town End with it not possible at the moment for anyone to alight or join the tram at any intermediate stop. For 7 this was its passenger debut for 2020 as it hadn’t been used pre-pandemic but 40 had seen some use in that short period in March when the museum was open.
Sunday 12th July also saw a two-tram service run with another 2020 debutant in London County Council 106 – the first open topper to run at Crich in 2020 – and it was joined again by Blackpool Standard 40.
At the present time Access Tram Berlin 223 006-4 won’t be running (for at least July) because of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Crich will be open every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the immediate future but remains closed on Mondays and Fridays. Anyone planning a visit is advised to check the Crich Tramway Village guidance on their website and to pre-book tickets although it is still possible to buy tickets on the gate. For anyone who doesn’t wish to have a tram ride at the moment a special non-ride ticket is available.
Blackpool Standard 40 stands at Town End terminus ready for departure on Saturday 11th July.
Chesterfield 7 waits at Stephenson Place on the morning of 11th July. (Photographs x2 by Andrew Wade)
After a test run on the line, 106 stands at Glory Mine all ready to be used in service. This was Saturday 11th July with the tram then entering service the following day.
Leeds 345 had to be shunted on 11th July to allow access to 106 and was stabled on the depot headshunt for a short period. Chesterfield 7 passes. (Photographs x2 by Peter Whiteley)