We make a second visit to Crich on 25th May 2011 for this edition of “Picture in Time” and this time we feature the tram which started it all – Southampton 45.
The diminutive Southampton 45 was, of course, the very first tram preserved by what came to be known as the Tramway Museum Society when it was acquired following the closure of Southampton Corporation Tramways in 1948. Although currently out of service the tram has operated for many years at Crich and has always been popular with visitors with its unusual knifeboard seating on the top deck comparing and contrasting with other open toppers in the collection.
This first photo shows 45 outside The Red Lion as passengers start to embark for a journey along the line. The tram will set-off wrong line and its trolley is already turned for this to happen.
In this image we see the trolley on 45 is just being turned ready for its return trip to Glory Mine.
Here we see 45 standing at Wakebridge. On the right we can just see the “worm” toilet, always a fascinating idea for visitors when they hear about it!
Then we finally see 45 at Glory Mine with the trolley being turned. This was before it was normal for passengers to be allowed to alight here but special permission was granted to our photographer (probably with the usual warning about avoiding any mine shafts!).
All Photographs by Peter Narramore