The Crich Tramway Village ended 2025 in style once again with, for the second year in a row, a special premium event taking place over the weekend of 8th and 9th November. This year branded as “Tramlight” the idea behind the event is fairly simple (even if the efforts behind the scenes to make it possible are anything but simple!) – trams running after dark with special lighting effects and even illuminated trams!
The museum opened its doors at 1400 on both days with trams running until 1930 on the Saturday and 1830 on the Sunday (the museum itself closing half an hour later). This allowed for some daylight running before as the sun set the museum became magical as the lights took full effect.
As well as an operating tram service there was other entertainment planned with a Strongman Show, a magic show and a magic lantern show. The Woodland Walk also became the Lantern Walk to provide anexcellent experience for families of all ages.
On Saturday 8th November saw six trams in service: Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22 (with added illuminations), Newcastle 102, London County Council 106, Blackpool 236 and Leeds 399.
Sunday 9th November saw Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22 and Blackpool 236 in service.
As well as the trams in service the depot fan saw a number of trams on display. This included a rare outside appearance for Prague 180 which was pulled out to allow inspection by a delegation visiting from Hungary.
A video of the Saturday of the event from Steven Hughes is available on You Tube at https://youtu.be/9fyxiwwMFGk?si=6aWsNI-0a-w1GkpN
Trams on display in the depot yard including Prague 180 which was making a rare outside appearance. Sheffield 510 is alongside and behind we see one of the most recent tram arrivals at the museum, Wallasey 78.
Before it got dark we see three of the trams in service at Stephenson Place. Newcastle 102 is setting off on a trip up the line with Chesterfield 7 and Blackpool 236 waiting for their turn.
Glasgow 22 received illuminations for the event and is seen here just having come under Bowes Lyon Bridge. The additional lighting effects added to the museum can also be seen.
Blackpool 236 didn’t need any added lights as it already comes complete with strings of lights! Its captured in this photo passing the Stone Workshop and Workshop Viewing Gallery.
London County Council 106 and Glasgow 22 at Town End waiting for the next trip along the line.
Chesterfield 7 returns to depot at the end of the night. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 8th November 2025)
- More photos from the event to come in a future update of British Trams Online.