“Picture in Time” today is again in Devon at the Seaton Tramway where we take a look inside Riverside Depot at one of the tram’s which wasn’t in service on 28th August 1995.
That tram is no. 8, which is probably the tram which has enjoyed the most different liveries over the years as at this time it was in a yellow and white livery along with messages on the side celebrating the silver jubilee of the tramway in 1995. A brief bit of history about 8 which had originally been built in 1968, by which time it was already known the tramway would be moving to Seaton so although it was initially able to run on the 2 foot gauge in Eastbourne its dimensions were with a thought to the wider gauge. Being regauged to 2 foot 9 inches in 1970, 8 was the very first tram to run in passenger service at Seaton. By the time we catch up with the tram below it has gone through a rebuild – in 1992 – which saw the original lower deck configuration with end saloons included replaced by a complete crossbench style.
This photo shows 8 in Riverside Depot. Judging by the dates the unrestored tram body behind should be Exeter 19 which would enter service three years later.
Photograph by Bob Hodges