Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September saw the Crich Tramway Village pull out all the stops again with their annual enthusiasts event, which for 2023 was extended to two days and became Tram Weekend instead of Tram Day. The event saw significant tram anniversaries celebrated whilst there was also a chance to look ahead to the future and some trams which should be returning to service over the next year.
The event got underway on Saturday 16th September with a Curtain Raiser photo opportunity at Stephenson Place. Under the theme of the “Blackpool Circular Tour” this saw the two Blackpool Toastracks in the fleet posed for photos alongside each other – standard Toastrack 166 and Luxury Toastrack 236 (more commonly known as the Boat Car of course!).
Once that line-up was over trams started to enter service with an intensive service in operation from 1030. Unfortunately, the operating fleet at Crich this year has taken a bit of a hit with several trams which were expected to be running not currently able to so this meant that the service was run using the nine available trams – and all nine ran on both days of the event. The service got underway with 166 and 236 and they were joined by a third Blackpool tram in 630 and then two Sheffield cars (74 and 510), two Leeds trams (180 and 399) plus Glasgow 22 and Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331. Because of an infrastructure fault at Glory Mine the left hand loop at the far end of the line is currently out of use which means trams have to pause just north of Wakebridge to allow the trolley to change wires for the journey up to Glory Mine.
An enthusiasts event at Crich wouldn’t be complete without Works Cars in operation either and on Saturday this saw Croydon Tramlink 058 and Cardiff 131 running for most of the day, and offering rides to the lucky few who were at the front of the queue at the right time! Both 058 and 131 were in action again on day two as well but the Tramlink vehicle was only used on a limited basis that day with the Blackpool Electric Locomotive also out.
Once the service was up and running then it was time to turn attention to the depot fan and the planned line-ups – often one of the major highlights of these type of events at Crich. The Saturday would see two anniversaries being celebrated – one celebrating a 150th birthday with the other only celebrating a mere 125 years!
The 150th anniversary being celebrated was that of Oporto 9 – the horse car which is the oldest vehicle in the collection at Crich. Although its operating life was in Portugal this tram was actually built by Starbuck Car & Wagon Company in Birkenhead before being transported across to Oporto. Whilst originally hauled by horses it was later converted as a trailer for both steam and electric operation and stayed in service until 1960. Purchased for the TMS in 1963, it moved to Derbyshire in 1964. It did see operation in the early years but more recently has become a static exhibit with its venerable status well respected in the collection.
But with it reaching 150 years in 2023 it was decided to display it on the depot fan and to help it celebrate things it was joined by fellow Oporto car, 273. The electric single decker had been operational earlier in the year but is currently sidelined from service.
The morning also saw Blackpool 40 and Liverpool 869 displayed just outside the depot whilst Leeds 602 would make its first appearance of the weekend on display as well. Of course, 602 was released from the Exhibition Hall earlier this year so it could play a part in celebrations for the Coronation and with it not due to go back until the end of the season the chance of bringing it out was not one to be missed! London County Council 1 also came out of the Workshop and was stabled in the depot yard for a short while.
The afternoon line-up celebrated the 125th anniversary of not only the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad but also original car, Rack 2. 2 was brought out of the depot for this special line-up and was joined by three other trams which have a connection to the Tramroad. On the Saturday this saw Box 40, Pantograph 167 and Brush 630 (taken out of service for the line-up) displayed in the centre of the depot fan.
The second day of the event on Sunday 17th September had a similar timetable although with subtle differences. It started with another Curtain Raiser with Sheffield 74 and Sheffield 510 representing the Steel City and then once again attention for the line-ups was turned towards the depot fan.
This time the morning line-up was the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad 125th anniversary one with three trams the same but one different – although the one which was different was one that many of the assembled photographers were keen to see! That tram was Centenary 645 which has only recently arrived at Crich with a view to being overhauled as a Second Access tram in what could be a very important project for the museum with Berlin 223 006-4 having suffered reliability problems in recent years. Although looking far from its best, 645 was dragged out for photos alongside Rack 2, Box 40 and Brush 630 (which this time only entered service at lunchtime to allow it to take part).
After lunch and it was time to look forward to the future and a selection of trams which should be returned to service “soon or in 2024”. This saw London County Council 1, Newcastle 102, London Transport 1622, Blackpool 40 and Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 lined-up for photos in what was a tantalising look at what we should be able to enjoy in the not too distant future.
To allow 1622 to be positioned for this line-up, London United Tramways 159 (currently out of service) was shunted out the way and was also displayed for a time on the depot fan. Leeds 602 was another tram to see the light of the day with it again displayed on the Traverser to allow visitors to inspect the attractive tram once more.
With the weather mainly playing ball (there were just a few rain spots at the very end of the second day just as the last passenger trams were returning to Town End), this event once again enabled Crich to showcase the best of what they have to offer and with the “Coming Soon” line-up it does look as if there will be plenty more to enjoy in the future too!
Saturday’s Curtain Raiser saw Blackpool trams 166 and 236 side by side at Stephenson Place to represent Blackpool’s Circular Tour.
Blackpool 40 and Liverpool 869 stand outside the depot building.
Leeds 602 pulled out of the depot for display on the Traverser.
Oporto 9 with Oporto 273 in the centre of the depot fan.
The Saturday Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad 125 line-up with Rack 2, Box 40, Pantograph 167 and Brush 630 in place.
Onto day two and a second Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad 125 line-up with 167 replaced by Centenary 645.
Coming Soon line-up on the Sunday with Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 closest to us and joined by London Transport 1622, Blackpool 40, Newcastle 102 and London County Council 106.
As the event comes towards the end Glasgow 22 is just preparing to return to depot as Cardiff 131 comes back along the line with another run. (All Photographs by Gareth Prior)