The Grampian Transport Museum – located in the village of Alford which is just 25 miles away from Aberdeen – is this year set to be the home of a new exhibition of vehicles which were once used on the BBC TV series Top Gear. Whilst that obviously has no direct connection to trams, its not the only changes at the museum with some of the tram exhibits also being moved around, including some new artefacts now on display.
Included in the new exhibits are photos of a former Cruden Bay tram driver, along with some original items from that tramway. The Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway operated between Cruden Bay Hotel and Cruden Bay Railway Station from 1899 until 1940. It was built to the 3’6” gauge and was only 0.3 miles long but it is significant as being the most northerly tramway built in the UK. Just two trams were built for the line along with an open trailer car and two freight vehicles. Passenger services actually stopped in 1932 following the suspension of the services on the railway line, but freight connections continued for another eight years (the railway line remined open for freight). The hotel was requisitioned for military use in 1940 which saw the tram stop running in its entirety and then post-war the hotel never reopened with it being sold in 1947.
The Grampian Transport Museum has one of the trams preserved, although to be exact it has parts of both trams preserved! The vehicle you can see at the museum today was restored using the best of both cars which had been used as a summer house and shed following their withdrawal.
Amongst the new exhibits at the museum this year are artefacts from Herbert Simpson, a one time driver on the Cruden Bay Tramway system. His daughter had donated several photos a number of years ago, along with an un-used stub of tickets. Both of these are now on display at the museum, which is now open daily until 26th October. More details at https://www.gtm.org.uk/visit/opening-times-and-prices/.
Herbert Simpson is seen in two photos at the museum, including one where he is seen on the platform of tram no. 2.
Some of the tickets that Mr Simpson’s daughter donated. Considering passenger services ended in 1932, these tickets are approaching 100 years old at least!
Two display cases in the museum. The one on the left commemorates the Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway and the one of the right is Aberdeen Tramways.
A move round of exhibits at the museum also means that the two trams in site are closer together. Left hand vehicle is Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway 2 whilst alongside is Aberdeen horse car 1, which ended its life as an electric tram. (All Photographs by William Brown, 29th March 2025)