Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September saw the annual enthusiast event take place at the Crich Tramway Village – this year titled Electric Tram Weekend. With 2024 marking the 60th anniversary of electric tram operation at the museum there was a focus on celebrating that with static trams on display whilst there was also a look forward to the future with recent restoration projects having come to an end and the trams entering service.
Saturday 14th September
The first day of the event was the busier (probably in no small part to the better weather) and things got underway with a Curtain Raiser photo opportunity at Stephenson Place. After its official launch the previous day this included London County Council 1 and it was joined in service by the two other currently operational London trams – London County Council 106 and London Passenger Transport Board 1622.
After this line-up was finished the extensive tram service started running and appropriately Bluebird was the first tram into action. Over the course of the day there were 12 different trams which operated in passenger service: LCC 1, Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22, Sheffield 74, Newcastle 102, LCC 106, Blackpool 166, Blackpool 167, Oporto 273, Sheffield 510, Liverpool 869 (entering service after lunch) and LPTB 1622.
With limited power supply available whilst the equipment is upgraded and with Glory Mine having a temporary arrangement, trams either ran solo or in pairs throughout the weekend so there were none of the “three in a row” that has been seen at recent events.
Sheffield 74 had to return to depot during the afternoon after suffering an issue at Town End but the other trams completed the day before starting to return to depot, with some also enjoying extended lunch breaks back on the depot fan.
Now, of course, as well as the trams in service one of the highlights of any enthusiast event at Crich is the display of stored trams on the depot fan for photos and 2024 was no different.
Amongst the highlights of the depot fan line-ups was a Leeds tram line-up, which saw 180, 345 and 399 on display during the morning and then they were joined by LCC 1 (which was once Leeds 301) during lunch.
Three long stored trams were also pulled out of the depots and Exhibition Hall at different times for display. The morning saw Johannesburg 60 displayed on the Traverser before the afternoon saw Sheffield 189 come out (as the tram that “found” Crich) and then towards the end of the day Leicester 76 was moved out of the Exhibition Hall after a request from a visitor. The move of 189 also required Blackpool 49 to make a very brief appearance as it is stabled in front of it in the depots.
Meanwhile, across the other side of the depot fan and currently out of service Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 (one of the early electric trams to operate at Crich) was displayed for photos with other Blackpool trams being seen alongside such as Blackpool Standard 40.
One other move of note on the day was Leeds 345 which after being part of the Leeds line-up was transferred to the Workshop for assessment to be made on repairs required to the tram after its mishap last year.
Sunday 15th September
On to day two and a day where the weather forecast turned out to be unduly optimistic as it turned into being a rather poor day with showers and then persistent rain reducing visitor numbers. It also led to some trams which were planned to be in service returning to depot earlier than planned.
During the day there were 10 trams which ran in service: LCC 1, Blackpool 40, Newcastle 102, LCC 106, Blackpool 166, Leeds 180, Blackpool 236, Leeds 399, Blackpool 630 and LPTB 1622. Both 166 and 236 returned to depot mid-afternoon due to the weather but the crews had continued to operate them in some of the worst weather, although oddly not many passengers chose to join them!
The limited power currently available to the tramway also caused issues on this day. For around an hour around lunchtime no trams were able to run due to issues with the power with trams kept at a stand whilst this was rectified. After this it was decided to return Blackpool 630 to depot before the service was reformed.
Back to the depot fan and there were more line-ups for all to enjoy. The Traverser was home to Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 for most of the day (the first electric tram to run in passenger service at the museum) whilst in front of the depot Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 again came out and was joined by Blackpool Pantograph 167 and then Blackpool Centenary 645. There remain plans for 645 to be converted into a new Access Tram with ambitious plans to get it ready for use by this time next year.
A middle of the day London line-up saw out of service London United Tramways 159 displayed on the depot fan and as they returned to depot for lunch it was joined by LCC 106 and LPTB 1622.
The weekend of tram action ended with Blackpool Standard 40 working the final departure from Town End shortly after 1700. The trams were by then returning to depot for a well-earned rest – which is something the volunteer crews could also look forward to after another excellent enthusiast event at the home of the National Tramway Museum!
- Video of the events over the weekend have been uploaded to YouTube by Steven Hughes. He took so much footage that its been split into four parts!
Our full coverage of Electric Tram Weekend will follow in the next main site update of British Trams Online. This is likely to be slightly later than usual but should be added to the site by Wednesday 25th September at the latest.
Two Blackpool no. 40s lined-up on the depot fan. Standard 40 on the left and Box Car 40 on the right.
The full Leeds tram line-up with 345, 399, 180 and LCC 1 in a row.
The Blackpool Electric Locomotive shunts Leeds 345 into the Workshop.
Bluebird and 1622 seen side-by-side on the depot fan.
Sheffield 189 sits on the Traverser.
A late afternoon appearance for Leicester 76 which was displayed on the Traverser.
Although not part of the weekend’s display, Blackpool 49 had to moved to get Sheffield 189 out and is seen here having a ride on the Traverser.
What a difference a day makes to the weather! Sunday 15th September and the wet weather arrived with Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 being moved on the Traverser to spend the day on display.
A line-up of Blackpool trams on the depot fan with Pantograph 167, the Blackpool Electric Locomotive, Box 40 and Centenary 645 on display.
The strings of lights on Blackpool 236 shine brightly as its seen at Stephenson Place with Leeds 399 passing by. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes)
I had a very enjoyable day at Crich on Saturday – clearly there were some challenges that meant the event wasn’t going to be perfect, but I think all things considered it was very good indeed. To be honest having LCC 1 and Newcastle 102 both in passenger service immediately made it well worth attending – add in lots of other trams running plus the very welcome bonus of Leicester 76 coming out and it was excellent! Admittedly the event didn’t really have much to do with the 60th anniversary of electric trams at Crich, but in some ways that was a good thing and it was nice to see some more unusual trams out that weren’t part of a themed line-up.
There were a few niggles such as the Boat car being rostered to run only on Sunday despite a poor weather forecast, and it was a shame MET 331 stayed at the back of the shed all weekend; a full lineup of the London fleet was a surprising omission, maybe something being saved for next year, hopefully when 159 and 331 are back in service? I suppose its good to keep us wanting more!
To end on a positive – the operating fleet look better than they have done for years. As well as the two ‘new’ trams, others such as Blackpool 40 and London 1622 also look excellent following workshop attention and the likes of Blackpool 167 having some TLC has made such a difference. Its always a joy to see and ride on beautiful trams that are well looked after. Full credit to the workshop and they now have the backbone of a good fleet for many years to come.
331 is off at the moment with electrical problems (failed resistance grid) otherwise it would have been out.
Yes I must admit I did think not towing 331 and 159 out for the London line up was a missed opportunity, otherwise a brilliant event. I’d have liked 630 and the Boat Saturday but thats preference not a complaint!
It is a shame that LUT 159 doesn’t seem to be operational at present – it is a fabulously restored tram, the interior in the downstairs saloon is a marvel to behold. Nevertheless, events like these prove Crich is bouncing back from the dark days of Covid.
I’m curious about the plans for 645. Having it operational again in one year seems incredibly ambitious, considering its current sorry state. Will it be returned to something resembling its original external condition? I didn’t pay much attention to the Centenaries when they were in service in Blackpool, but now I find them curiously nostalgic.
Nathan, when i asked they said the pan is to keep it is it is for now!