In Pictures: Trams come and go from service at Crich

Another season has now come to an end at the Crich Tramway Village with the museum now closed to the public until Saturday 14^th March 2026. As the season concludes we look set to be saying goodbye to one tram from regular use, whilst work continues on returning other trams to service. It’s a very Blackpool dominated update, and it includes a surprise of what may be running in 2026…

It may surprise some of you to realise that it is now 30 years since Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 underwent a major overhaul when still part of the regular tram fleet on the Fylde Coast. But it was 1995 when the tram returned to service with more modern features (one of three Brush Cars to undergo similar work) and now after 16 years of use in Blackpool and then a further 13 at Crich (plus a brief return on loan to Blackpool) it is time for it take more of a backward step and its likely to be a reserve tram in the operating fleet for 2026.

As one Brush Car is set to take it easier, another is continuing its road to a return with the major TSO funded restoration of 298 progressing in the Workshop. The first wheelset has now been fitted into one of its bogies whilst work has also commenced on constructing the dashboard in the driver’s cab.

Also in the workshop, is another Blackpool tram with excellent progress being made on the work to convert Centenary 645 into the new Access Tram. The roof has now been stripped down with side panels removed. Its planned that the tram will be completed in time to be used next year, providing a vital role at the museum which has been without an Access Tram for the last couple of years since Berlin 223 006-4 had to be withdrawn from use.

And that brings us to the surprise – and its another Blackpool tram on the road to return! Jubilee 762 has been out of service since 2019 when it suffered a failed motor but its now planned to return it to use in 2026, with it having been moved to the Workshop where the motor has been removed for repairs to start.

The reasons for the planned return of 762 are likely to be two-fold. Firstly, it is a popular tram with younger visitors to Crich thanks to its Pleasure Beach Nickeoloden Land advert (complete with characters such as Spongebob Squarepants) and its return will provide more interest for them and hopefully lead to lots of return visits. It will also enable the tram to be used for driver familiarisation ahead of 645’s entry into service, with the two trams sharing the same chopper control equipment.

With thanks to Peter Whiteley for information contained in this article.

The first of the wheelsets is now fitted to 298’s bogies.

Centenary 645 continues to take shape with much of the exterior panelling now stripped. As part of the work on the tram its planned that it will regain its original style roof ends and destination screens.

Blackpool x3! Centenary 645, Brush 298 and Jubilee 762 all seen in the Workshop, all at various stages of projects to return them to the rails.

Brush 630 took somewhat of a farewell trip on the line on the first day after the end of the season and is seen here at Glory Mine during that trip.

630 back at the depot waiting to head back into the main building. (All Photographs by Peter Whiteley, 10th and 12th November 2025)