Cardiff 21 – which has been on loan at the Crich Tramway Village since 2009 – has now returned to Wales as the tram moves as the home of the National Tramway Museum continue. The departure of 21 follows on from Derby 1’s move last week.
As we’ve reported previously with the impending return to service of London Transport 1622, Newcastle 102 and eventually London County Council 1 plus the start of the restoration of Blackpool 298 space at Crich was at a premium meaning that decisions had to be made to move trams off site. With Cardiff 21’s loan agreement coming to an end the decision was taken not to renew it.
On Friday 18th June the tram was prepared for its move back to Wales with the very familiar sight of a Scotts low loader at Crich to facilitate its return. With the tram sheeted over for its move it soon left and headed back to the National Museum of Wales’ Collection Centre at Nantgarw. While the Collections Centre is not open to the general public, free group tours can be booked with more details on how to do this at https://museum.wales/collections-centre/.
The horse tram collection at Crich now consists of single deckers Sheffield 15 (the operational member of the fleet), Chesterfield 8 and Oporto 9 as well as double-decker Leeds 107. These four will be joined in the future by another fully restored double-decker with North Metropolitan Tramways 184 on the long-term workshop programme.
It isn’t expected to be until after Blackpool 298’s restoration is completed that the North Met Horse Car will move in for restoration but fundraising has already been started by the London County Council Tramways Trust to fund the restoration. There are in fact the remains of two North Met horse trams in store at Clay Cross with 184 (acquired in 1979) along with an unidentified example which was discovered and moved to Derbyshire in 2016. As the only confirmed identity is that of 184, that is what the finished tram will be known as.
But that’s for the future – for now we can say farewell to Cardiff 21 after its 12 year loan period.
I’m quite sad to see Cardiff 21 go, its a lovely little tram, but as it doesn’t belong to the TMS its completely understandable that it has left to make space for other vehicles.
I will admit I can’t get excited about the North Metropolitan horse car project at all though. Obviously its the LCCTT’s choice to use their money as they wish, but I just don’t feel that it will be a very beneficial thing to have. The museum’s blog post seems to ignore the fact that Leeds 107 is already on display at Crich, so a restored double deck horse tram is already there. Whilst another will be nice to look at, I can’t help but wish that something more useful could go through the works instead.
appreciate its those with the money call the shots, I feel that doing the Horse car after 298 is a bit London heavy on recent restorations and doesn’t really strike a good balance. As Andrew says leave cardiff there and do a different Tram – maybe 812.
812 is a bit random – how about Glasgow 1282 as there’s already a fund for it with some money? Or alternatively a Sheffield car, 46 being my first choice, as again there is a designated fund. Another option would be Southampton 45 ahead of the TMS’ 75th anniversary in 2030 (yes I am aware I’m thinking way ahead!).
At the end of the day though, if a London tram can attract donations whereas the above can’t, then its decision made really.
Is it being cosmetically restored or restored to running condition? We definitely need a serviceable double decker to contract with Manchester L53. maybe even operate with it…..