Easter was traditionally the start of the operating season for heritage trams, and whilst that has changed in recent years with all year round operation at some lines in the UK it seems that it marks a good starting point to take a look at which heritage trams have run across the British Isles so far during 2022. As a reminder this lists all heritage trams which have run with passengers during the year – that includes private hires but not those which have just been testing. This list is correct as far as we know it at the moment, but as always if you notice any errors or omissions please let us know (full contact details are available at the end of the article).
Beamish – The Living Museum of the North
Blackpool: 31
Newcastle: 114
Oporto: 196
Sheffield: 264
Sunderland: 16
The recent Beamish Steam Gala saw all five trams running – the first since operations resumed after the pandemic that this had happened. With no big events in the early part of 2020 this is likely to be the first time since 2019 that so many trams had been running at the same time! Oporto 196 is expected to be withdrawn from service later this year.
Beamish is now open daily until 30th October. Unless there are any operational constraints the tramway runs every day the museum is open. Visit https://www.beamish.org.uk/plan-your-visit/ for details of how to book your slot to visit.
Birkenhead Heritage Tramway
Birkenhead: 69
Lisbon: 730
Liverpool: 762
Wallasey: 78
Sunday 17th April saw the first 2 tram service on the line since January 2020! Services are currently only able to operate between Taylor Street Museum and Shore Road.
Tram services are due to run Saturdays and Sundays until 17th July between 1300 and 1600 subject to volunteer availability.
Black Country Living Museum
The tramway remains closed owing to construction work. A note on the Black County Living Museum website states: “Due to the ongoing construction works, on weekdays we are currently unable to operate any transport which requires the use of electric overhead wires. There will be limited services on our trolleybuses on selected weekends and bank holidays. Our trams are currently out of operation, but will be on show for visitors to view.”
Blackpool Tramway
Bolton: 66
Boat: 227, 600
Brush: 621, 631
Centenary: 648
Balloon: 700, 707, 711, 715, 717, 718, 723
Illuminated: Western Train, Frigate, Trawler
Six trams a day are used for the special event weekends (next event 30th April to 2nd May). Heritage Tram Tours take place on selected other days during the year – the pattern seems to be a Balloon Car on Coastal Tours to Fleetwood and a vintage double decker (currently Bolton 66 as the only one available) or Boat Car (subject to weather) on Promenade Tours. Visit https://blackpoolheritage.com/ for details of when tours are running.
Crich Tramway Village
Berlin 223 006-4
Blackpool, 167, 630
Leeds: 180, 345, 399
Liverpool: 869
Metropolitan Electric Tramways: 331
Oporto: 273
Sheffield: 510
Normally 2-3 trams will be in service each day at Crich, subject to volunteer availability. Special events usually see a higher tram output. Further trams will be commissioned for service as the year progresses.
Crich is open Saturday-Thursday each week until Thursday 21st July (also open 22nd April, 3rd June but closed Saturday 11th June), daily Saturday 23rd July to Sunday 4th September then Sunday-Thursday 5th September to 30th October. More details at https://www.tramway.co.uk/plan-your-visit/tickets/.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
Still no word on when services may resume. Last update was that they should run at some point in 2022 between Derby Castle and Broadway but no confirmation of when that may be.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Amsterdam: 474
London Transport: 1858
Sheffield: 513
On opening days there are usually 2 trams in service, alternating along the line into the woods. The Easter weekend has seen a 3 tram service in operation.
The East Anglia Transport Museum is open every Thursday and Sunday until Thursday 27th October plus Bank Holidays, Saturdays from 4th June to 27th August, Tuesdays from 19th July to 30th August and Saturday 29th October. More details at https://www.eatransportmuseum.co.uk/times-prices.
Great Orme Tramway
4, 5, 6, 7
Open daily until the end of October.
Heaton Park Tramway
Blackpool: 623
Hull: 96
Manchester: 765
Stockport: 5
The tramway usually runs a 1 tram service between 1200 and 1630 on opening days.
Heaton Park Tramway runs every Saturday and Sunday until October with the exception of Park Life on 11th/12th June.
Manx Electric Railway
Motors: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 14, 19, 21, 32
Trailers: 37, 41, 42, 48, 49, 51, 54, 57, 59
The MER is now running regular timetabled services until the end of October. Visit https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2354/isle-of-man-railways-2022-timetables.pdf for the 2022 timetable.
Seaton Tramway
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16
Seaton Tramway is open daily until Sunday 30th October with various timetables running. More details at https://www.tram.co.uk/calendar.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
1, 4, 5
The Snaefell Mountain Railway runs until the end of October. For timetable details visit https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2354/isle-of-man-railways-2022-timetables.pdf.
Statfold Barn Railway
Burton & Ashby: 14
The tramway operates on most open days at Statfold Barn Railway alongside the other railways on site. The website at https://www.statfold.com/ gives more details.
Summerlee Museum
Glasgow: 1017
Lanarkshire: 53
Usually 1 tram is in service on the museum tramway. The museum is open daily. More details at https://culturenl.co.uk/museums/visiting-us/summerlee/.
Volk’s Electric Railway
6, 7, 8, 10
The Volk’s Electric Railway is currently only operating between Aquarium and Halfway due to construction works. Services are due to run daily but operating times vary and poor weather often means the service is suspended. Visit https://volksrailway.org.uk/visit/times-prices/ for more information.
Information is believed correct up to and including Monday 18th April 2022. This list is intended to show those trams which have run in some form of passenger service during 2022 (and thus does not include those on test/driver training) and is as accurate as possible, although errors may have occurred. Various online sources have been used to collate this information.
If you know of any mistakes or anything not included above either please leave a comment below or email gareth@britishtramsonline.co.uk.
One of the trams to have seen service so far in 2022 has been Burton & Ashby 14 at the Statfold Barn Railway as seen here. (Photograph by Ken Jones)