We are off to the Crich Tramway Village for today’s edition of “15 Years Apart” and the tram we feature is Chesterfield 7.
Having entered service following restoration at Crich in 1997, by 2007 Chesterfield 7 had been part of the operational fleet for a full 10 years and was fully established as a popular tram helped by its local connection and those open balconies probably didn’t go down badly either! On 10th June 2007 the clean and bright Chesterfield Corporation livery is seen to good effect as the tram is stabled on the depot fan in front of the main building.
Then on 17th September 2022 and we find 7 approaching Victoria Park with as part of the last trio of trams during Tram Day. Nothing much has changed for 7 and with it not having destination blinds (only destination boards on the side) we can’t even comment on going to somewhere else! 7 was due to be withdrawn at the end of the 2022 season. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)
A feather in the cap for the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation which firstly proposed and then funded the restoration, contending with some opposition in the process.
Ironically 7 was to become being described as the most iconic tram in the operating fleet!
The continuing role of the sponsor bodies in enabling restorations to take place receives scant recognition.