Happy Birthday to the Seaton Tramway! The first public tram services started running on the tramway on this day (28th August) in 1970, between Riverside and Bobsworth Bridge (just short of the new Seaton Wetlands halt). To help celebrate the occasion there was a special anniversary weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August and in this article we take a look at a selection of images taken during that event. Steven Hughes with the images.
Over the course of the weekend all 12 operational passenger trams were used in service (the only passenger tram at the tramway which didn’t run was long-term absentee 7). On Saturday 23rd August 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 were all used in service (4 as a replacement for 6) whilst 15 and 19 joined in on the fun on Sunday 24th August.
- A video of the first day of the event, also from Steven Hughes, can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/HGdcXVK6ZE8?si=muah_D7zneCp5sms. Steven Hughes Transport Videos also has plenty of other footage from across the UK of trams, buses and trucks.
2 is the lowest numbered passenger tram in the fleet but is not the oldest with it being just the 61 years old! We see the tram here just arriving at Riverside Halt with a service heading to Colyton. You can just see the driver signalling to the waiting tram already at the passing loop that its running with another tram.
Works Car 02 has been enjoying a major overhaul over the winter and into the spring and summer and whilst the work isn’t yet quite finished it was on display during depot tours. Its seen here in the depot showing off its new coat of yellow paint with black chevrons – a big change to its previous grey livery!
A look inside the depot – which was rather empty as most trams were out in service! But ex-Exeter car 19 was present in this view with various works vehicles either side.
Always popular when it runs is 4, based on a Blackpool Boat Car. With a full load of passengers we see the tram as it rounds the curve to Riverside Halt with a service heading to Colyton.
And at Colyton we find 16. This is an ex-Bournemouth tram which was converted for use at Seaton in 1992 and is a valuable member of the enclosed fleet for those days when the weather is less than pleasant. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 23rd August 2025)