Its been a while since we last had a summary of which heritage lines are operating following the continued easing of lockdown restrictions so here we go again! This summary only gives details of those museums/heritage lines which have reopened. If no announcement has yet been made its not included.
Beamish
The museum has reopened with timed admission tickets needing to be pre-booked. However, no tram services are running yet with the only transport being the Access Bus. It is expected to be a while before passenger trams do run again at Beamish.
Blackpool Tramway
Heritage Tram Tours will return on Saturday 29th August. Over the August Bank Holiday weekend two types of tour will run: Promenade Tour and Coastal Tour. While limited turn up and go tickets may be available on the day you are strongly recommended to pre-book all tours which can be done at https://blackpoolheritage.com/timetables/. Different tours will have a different type of tram allocated although the exact tram cannot be guaranteed.
Illumination Tours will also run throughout September (those dates are available for booking now) and for the remainder of the illuminations. The September tours will be in the hands of Balloons with Illuminated Trams hoped to return later in the season.
A number of changes have been made to the operation of tours and these can be viewed at https://blackpoolheritage.com/keeping-you-safe/.
For full details of what tours are available for booking please visit https://eola.co/outlets/blackpool-heritage-tram-tours.
Crich Tramway Village
Now open Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday plus Bank Holiday Monday only. Timed tram ride tickets can be booked upon arrival at admissions – this will be for one return trip and a second ride can’t be guaranteed but you can check at admissions after 1330 each day. Generally, three trams run in service on each opening day.
Covid-19 restrictions are in place around the museum and you should check https://www.tramway.co.uk/ for full details of these before visiting.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Now open Thursdays and Sundays between 1200 and 1630 (last admission at 1530). Strictly limited capacity on site. Trams, trolleybuses and railway all running.
Details of restrictions at https://www.eatransportmuseum.co.uk/.
Manx Electric Railway
Running Saturday-Tuesday until Sunday 13th September plus Friday 28th August. Special timetable in operation featuring eight Derby Castle to Ramsey return trips and one Derby Castle to Laxey return journey each day, requiring four car sets.
North East Land, Sea and Air Museum
The museum – home to the tram collection of the North East Electric Traction Trust – reopened on 21st July with special measures in place to take into account Covid-19. These can be viewed at https://www.nelsam.org.uk/COVID/.
Seaton Tramway
Opening daily with trams currently running every 20 minutes before 1000 and 1600 from Seaton to Colyton. Up to seven trams are provided for service each day in August to take into consideration reduced capacity on each tram.
Full details of the special measures in place can be viewed at https://www.tram.co.uk/covidresponse.
Statfold Barn Railway
Open on selected dates. Check https://www.statfold.com/events for dates of events still planned for 2020.
Summerlee Museum
The museum will reopen on 26th July but the tram service will not be running until at least mid-September allow time to make Covid-19 amendments.
Volk’s Electric Railway
Operating Wednesday to Sunday between 1100 and 1700 every 15 minutes. All journeys must be started at each end of the line with Halfway Station remaining closed.
Details of the Covid-19 changes are available at https://volksrailway.org.uk/.
Please note: the above information has been provided in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge. You are strongly advised to check with the organisations concerned before travelling as the situation is constantly changing and their websites will have the most up-to-date and more detailed information.