As the season progresses at the Crich Tramway Village we have gradually been seeing more trams enter service with (at the time of writing) ten different trams having been used in service so far. Meanwhile, in the Workshop further trams are being prepared for service as they start to enter the busier part of the season with Bank Holidays and, hopefully, the promise of warmer and sunnier weather.
Since we last had a round-up of trams which had been used a further three have carried their first passengers of 2024. These have been Liverpool 869, Blackpool 630 and Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331 – all fully enclosed trams which probably gives a good indication of what the weather has been like in recent weeks!
This now means that the following trams have been used in service: Glasgow 22, Blackpool 40, Sheffield 74, Leeds 180, Blackpool 236, Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510, Blackpool 630 and Liverpool 869.
There will be more trams to come and recently the Workshop has been preparing both Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 and Chesterfield 7 for use in 2024. Both trams missed the 2023 season but are set to be used in 2024 after receiving some attention.
Work also continues on Blackpool 298 – the major workshop project for the next few years. Progress recently has included the body framework being built with the saloon side frames and roof frame along with the openings for the sunshine roof now in place.
Box 40 and Chesterfield 7 side-by-side in the Workshop at work on preparing them for service continues.
A view of the latest progress on Blackpool 298. The tram is now starting to get the unmistakable shape of a Blackpool Brush Railcoach. (Both Photographs by Peter Whiteley, 26th April 2024)