The main enthusiast event for 2025 at the home of the National Tramway Museum takes place this weekend as Tram Weekend returns once again. The overall format of the event probably need no introduction with an intensive tram service in operation using many of the operational trams in the fleet running (including an anticipated return to service of Blackpool & Fleetwood 40) whilst the depot fan will be the place to see line-ups of trams, including non-operational trams such as the recent arrivals from the Wirral. Read on for a full preview including the planned timetable of events.
When? Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. Gates open from 1000 with last trams at 1700 on both days
Where? Crich Tramway Village, near Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP
Event Highlights include…
Saturday 13th
Depot fan line-up: London trams
Depot fan line-up: Merseyside trams
Return to service of Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 for first time since 2011
Trams every 10 minutes with 11 due to operate
Works trams in service
Sunday 14th
Depot fan line-up: Blackpool trams
Depot fan line-up: Merseyside trams
Trams every 10 minutes with 11 due to operate
Works trams in service
Planned Full Event Programme
Saturday 13th
| 1000 | Curtain Raiser: London County Council – 1 and 106 on display in the street |
| 1030 | Tram service starts with LCC 1 and LCC 106 operating first departure |
| 1030-1200 | Intensive tram service with multiple trams every 10 minutes |
| 1030-1200 | Works Trams in service |
| 1000-1100 | Shunting on the depot fan |
| 1030-1600 | Curatorial displays and book sale in the Great Exhibition Hall |
| 1100-1530 | Depot Fan Display: London and Merseyside trams. Grimsby & Immingham 14 will be visible inside the depot to mark Rail 200. |
| 1100 | Derby Hospital Band playing on the Bandstand |
| 1200-1400 | Service trams will join the depot fan display |
| 1200 | Derby Hospital Band playing on the Bandstand |
| 1300 | Crescendo Choir at Town End |
| 1400-1600 | Works Trams in service |
| 1400-1700 | Intensive tram service with multiple trams every 10 minutes |
| 1400 | Crescendo Choir at Town End |
| 1530 | Shunting at the depot as trams return |
| 1700 | Last Trams |
Planned trams in service:
London County Council 1, Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, Newcastle 102, London County Council 106, Blackpool 236, Oporto 273, Leeds 345, Leeds 399, London Transport 1622
Sunday 14th
| 1000 | Curtain Raiser: A line-up of Blackpool trams in the street |
| 1030 | Tram service starts with Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 operating first departure |
| 1030-1200 | Intensive tram service with multiple trams every 10 minutes |
| 1030-1200 | Works Trams in service |
| 1000-1100 | Shunting on the depot fan |
| 1030-1600 | Curatorial displays and book sale in the Great Exhibition Hall |
| 1100-1530 | Depot Fan Display: Blackpool and Merseyside trams. Grimsby & Immingham 14 will be visible inside the depot to mark Rail 200. |
| 1200-1400 | Service trams will join the depot fan display |
| 1230 | Newmount Brass Band playing on Bandstand |
| 1345 | Newmount Brass Band playing on Bandstand |
| 1400-1600 | Works Trams in service |
| 1400-1700 | Intensive tram service with multiple trams every 10 minutes |
| 1400 | Crescendo Choir at Town End |
| 1530 | Shunting at the depot as trams return |
| 1700 | Last Trams |
Planned trams in service:
London County Council 1, Blackpool 40, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, Sheffield 74, Newcastle 102, London County Council 106, Blackpool 167, Blackpool 236, Blackpool 630, Sheffield 510, London Transport 1622
Final allocations of trams for both days will be announced on Friday 12th September and we will attempt to update this article once it is announced. The programme may have to be altered depending on the weather, as well as availability of trams and volunteers.
Because the electricity supply is still being upgrade there is a limitation on the number of trams which can run at one time.
What about the weather? As with any event the all important question is will I need my brolly or is a day for shorts! The BBC weather forecast for Crich can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2651993. At the moment Saturday looks the slightly better day for weather.
British Trams Online coverage? We should be bringing you almost as it happens updates from the event on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/britishtramsonline and will then have full coverage on these pages in the week following the event.