Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway 7 – owned by the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Tramway Society and used to go to local events and keeping the history of the tramway alive – has had a busy few months as its been out and about at various events flying North Wales’s tramway flag once again!
No. 7 didn’t actually ever run on the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway but trams very similar to it did. The tram was originally Bournemouth Corporation 126, and whilst a number of trams from Bournemouth did make it to Wales this was not one of them – until it was rescued by the Society in the early 1980s with a view to restoring it as a Llandudno tram. It was decided to number it 7 which would have been the next number in the sequence after 6, which did survive but has been restored back to its Bournemouth identity of 85. Restoration of the tram continued and it was ready in 2007 – the centenary of the tramway. Since then it has been seen at various special events across North Wales, and as far afield as Birkenhead, normally towed to the event by a trusty Matador truck.
Recent appearances started off at the now traditional May Day weekend appearance during the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza. One of the advantages of not relying on where tram tracks are laid meant that no. 7 could join the Transport Festival Road Run on the Saturday evening which went all round Conwy.
Since then they have been supporting other local events including the 80th anniversary of the D-Day celebrations on Llandudno Promenade, Colwyn Bay Prom Day, Deganwy Prom Day (sending their model tramway bus instead of the tram) and the St Josephs School Fair Day in Colwyn Bay. And if that wasn’t enough the Society also managed to fit in two hauled runs along the entire former tramway route alongside an old Crosville Bus (SC12) and a preserved steam roller to create scenes from over 70 years ago!
Looking ahead and they are planning to support the Colwyn Bay Picnic at St Paul’s Church on Saturday 2nd August.
These public appearances are only possible thanks to a small number of volunteers who man the tram. The Society are always on the look out for more volunteers and if anyone feels they can help please get in touch with the Secretary via their website at http://tram.wales
7 is seen here during the Transport Festival Road Run in May on the approach to Conwy Castle.
Various generations look across to 7 as it sits on Lloyd Street.
An illuminated 7 during the 80th anniversary of D Day celebrations.
Another look at 7 during its recent outings. (All Photographs by John Bird)