It has been announced that the delay to the start of tram services for 2024 at the Crich Tramway Village will continue with work on the electrical supply still ongoing. At the moment there is no definite date for the start of the demonstration tram service.
Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum – had originally been due to recommence operation from Saturday 9th March but this was initially put back by a week with the public information released at the time saying that this was down to access issues because of roadworks in the area.
Then just before the next opening date on Saturday 16th March it was confirmed that trams would still not be able to operate because of an issue found with the overhead during commissioning. It was decided to open the museum site though with the depots and other attractions all available for viewing. Reduced admission was offered.
At the time of that announcement it was said that trams would resume running from Saturday 23rd March but again the day before it was announced that this wouldn’t be possible. And again more information was released as to why the suspension of tram services was necessary.
In a statement the Tramway Museum Society said: “The Tramway Museum Society has, and always will put safety ahead of any other function. It is with regret therefore that, following a meeting of the Board of Directors, we have taken the unprecedented decision to delay recommencing the operation of trams at the Museum until an as yet unspecified date. The Museum site will remain open for visitors at a special, reduced entrance rate.
“The operational issue is due to a fault with the electrical supply which was identified during the start of year commissioning checks, when an unusual reading was noted. The decision was ultimately taken to keep the electricity supply isolated, to enable detailed investigations and repair work, and in order to ensure that we maintain the high levels of safety that are expected of us.
“We were hoping to recommence tramcar operation on 29th March 2024, but this may not be possible at this stage.
“When all works have been successfully completed and our start of season commissioning checks have been completed, without fault, we will resume tramcar operation.
“Whilst this is disappointing news for our visitors, members, volunteers and staff we will continue to provide updates and once a fully confirmed timescale is in place further information will be released.”
Whilst 29th March is floated as a date for trams to start running again the statement above does seem to suggest that they may not be achievable. Obviously, that is Good Friday at the start of what it would be hoped would be a busy Easter weekend but safety will come first before any decision is made.
There may be no trams but the museum remains open as planned. This allows progress to be seen on the redevelopment of the tea rooms.
Hopefully due to enter service this year is London County Council 1 which is seen in the Workshop.
Also in the Workshop is Blackpool 298 which is at the start of its major restoration. (All Photographs by Bryan Grint, 20th March 2024)
A tram museum without working trams ????♂️
Why not read the newsletter from Crich? It is obvious to anyone that the problem must be resolved before operations can commence.
At least those in authority appear to be being honest about the situation.
Crich says ‘unforeseen technical issues’, but what if Crich management was incapable of foreseeing the issue in the first place? Ask questions and don’t always believe what could be cover-up PR.
Crich running now back on track. Looks like Albert’s comment did the trick!
However……before we get carried away, I’m sure we’d all like a full explanation from Crich management of exactly what went wrong and why, rather than the vague ‘unforeseen technical issues’.
Surely your question has been answered, as the statement released above covers the subject quite clearly:
“The operational issue is due to a fault with the electrical supply which was identified during the start of year commissioning checks, when an unusual reading was noted. The decision was ultimately taken to keep the electricity supply isolated, to enable detailed investigations and repair work, and in order to ensure that we maintain the high levels of safety that are expected of us.”
This makes it very clear that there was an issue with the readings taken during the testing of the electrical supply which could have caused issues if full voltage and current was applied. Without going into technical details (probably a resistance or insulation values) which the majority of readers would not understand, I think the statement released is more than clear enough to explain the reason for the delay in energising the electrical overhead. Members of Crich and active volunteers have no doubt been fully informed of the full technical details, so maybe if you want more information, then becoming a member or active volunteer would be the way to go.
On what basis are Crich answerable to ‘Albert’ and ‘Dave’? Members have been fully informed, as would you have been if you were members..
Dave – other than being nosey we have NO right to know what has happened.
A press statement was issued, the issue rectified and Trams running again.
No need for anything else. Everyone seems so entitled these days, demanding to know everything which doesn’t concern them.