“Picture in Time” heads to Devon for the next few weeks as we visit the Seaton Tramway, starting off in 1992.
In this photo we see no. 6 at the old, old terminus of the tramway (since replaced by the Edwardian style terminus and more recently the modern enclosed, elevated building) This was a far more simple affair with no shelter for any potential passengers and just a simple old school tramstop sign alerting people to the presence of a tramway in the Harbour Road car park. Alongside the tramway on the other side of the trees is part of the holiday camp – since swept away by new development with a Tesco superstore and housing.
6 was originally built in 1954 before its chassis was rebuilt two years later into the number 6 we know today. Running at Eastbourne originally it is noticeably smaller than many of the others trams in the fleet (making it a challenge to get upstairs!) and now features an open crossbench lower deck (how it was originally built in 1956 before in 1962 it received small saloons at each end – it was 1989 that it reverted to this style).
Photo taken 16th July 1992.
Photograph by Bob Hodges
This was always a favourite of mine most likely because of its diminutive size rather than in spite of it. Unfortunately, I never made it to Eastbourne but do recall the original terminus just off Harbour Road, mobile tram shop and all. I occasionally took the last trip to Colyton to ride towing the shop as far as the depot, where it was detached manually and housed overnight – it was a very straightforward and smoothly accomplished exercise and worked very well. I often thought it was a pity an old tram shelter could not have been sourced to provide protection from any inclement weather, but was impressed when the Edwardian style terminus opened as it really looked the part.
While the new terminus now has something of a theme park feel to it, if it promotes the Tramway by adding to the general interest, then it’s all to the good, together with the new tram stops. The Wetlands stop should attract a few bird watchers to the service and these new stops will add to the overall appeal of using the line. I expect 6 will still be able to run on special days – one hopes nobody gets stuck trying to negotiate the stairs.
Believe it or not, 6 is still running on the vast majority of days throughout the summer, and will need to do so until 7 is available again. As a minimum 6 of the 7 available double deckers are out each day, and 6 is a reliable runner. Best tram of the whole fleet in my opinion.
I wish it would run more out of the main summer period to keep the history more evenly spread through the year, rather than just having 9, 10, 11 and 12 almost guaranteed to run! Not helped by its size no doubt.