“Trams which leave Crich to go to storage at Clay Cross never get seen again”. Or at least that’s what some people will have you believe and was heard on more than one occasion when it was announced in 2021 that Derby 1 was to be moved from the Crich Tramway Village to off-site storage to make room for Blackpool 298 which was due to start its restoration. But now less than two years later and the Derby tramcar has been on the move again and is back at Crich.
The exact reason for Derby 1’s return to Crich have not yet been announced but it has been confirmed that it will receive conservation work relating to an exciting project. More details on this exciting project will follow in the coming months but one thing it will definitely not be is a return to service!
Derby 1 has never been a runner at Crich and has now had two separate spells at Clay Cross. The first one was from the 1970s until early 1990s when it was moved to Crich and enjoyed a cosmetic restoration to allow it to be displayed in the then new Exhibition Hall. Then on 11th June 2021 it departed Crich again for more storage at Clay Cross with space needed to allow for the restoration of Blackpool 298 (Cardiff 21 was also returned to Wales as part of this). But now less than two years later and the Derby tramcar is on the move again for an intriguing project.
We’ll bring more on this as soon as its announced!
Derby 1 was soon moved into the workshop for a start to be made on its conservation work ahead of its exctiting new role. Blackpool 166 provides company. (Photograph by Peter Whiteley, 31st May 2023)