Its time for another update of which heritage trams have run in passenger service across the British Isles during 2023. Since our last update there have been more trams running for the first time as we enter a period of better weather which has meant more open trams have seen use. The aim is to feature all tramways within the British Isles and to give an indication of what has run on each of them – to qualify it has to have run with passengers on board, so private hires do count but not any tram which has just been used for testing. As always any errors or omissions please let us know by using the contact details at the bottom of the article.
Beamish – The Living Museum of the North
Blackpool: 31
Newcastle: 114
Oporto: 196
Sheffield: 264
Sunderland: 16
Blackpool Tramway
Bolton: 66
Boat: 227, 600
Brush: 621, 631
Centenary: 648
Railcoach: 680
Balloon: 700, 707, 713, 717, 723
Illuminated: Western Train, Frigate
Crich Tramway Village:
Blackpool: 166, 167, 236, 630
Glasgow: 22
Leeds: 180, 399
Liverpool: 869
London United Tramways: 159
Metropolitan Electric Tramways: 331
Oporto: 273
Sheffield: 74, 510
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway
29, 36, 45
East Anglia Transport Museum
Amsterdam: 474
Blackpool: 11, 159
Sheffield: 513
Great Orme Tramway
4, 5, 6, 7
Heaton Park Tramway
Blackpool: 619, 623
Hull: 96
Manchester: 765
Stockport: 5
Manx Electric Railway
Motors: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 16, 20, 21, 22, 32
Trailers: 40, 41, 42, 44, 48, 54, 56, 57, 59
Seaton Tramway
4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19
Snaefell Mountain Railway
1, 4, 5
Statfold Barn Railway
Burton & Ashby: 14
Summerlee Museum
No information available
Volk’s Electric Railway
4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Wirral Heritage Tramway
Birkenhead: 69, 70
Liverpool: 245
Wallasey: 78
Information is believed correct up to and including Monday 5th June 2023. This list is intended to show those trams which have run in some form of passenger service during 2023 (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. Amended 8/6/23 with more details from Wirral Heritage Tramway.
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 four trams to have run so far in 2023 at the East Anglia Transport Museum is Blackpool 159 – which is also the only Blackpool Standard to have run this year. Its seen here at the museum approaching Chapel Road terminus. (Photograph by Bryan Grint, 28th May 2023)