It may be a tad later than planned (apologies once again for the delays in updates on the site over the past couple of weeks) but we are delighted to confirm that voting for the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2025 is now open! Continue reading this article to find out all the nominations in each category and how you can register your vote to name the winners for 2025!
Tram (Heritage) of the Year
Blackpool & Fleetwood 40
Returning to service during Tram Weekend, Box Car 40 had last been seen in use at Crich during 2022. Its return during the month that the Blackpool Tramway reached its 140th anniversary, it was an apt tram to be used during Tram Weekend and it was great to see a representative of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad back in action once again.
London County Council 1
This may seem a bit of a strange nomination as it was on the shortlist last year, but it makes it onto the list again after an uncertain start to the year. It was first announced that there were issues during commissioning of the tram which needed investigation, but the Workshop team once again did incredible work to get through these and “Bluebird” was back in service again in 2025 after all.
Manx Electric Railway 50
Another volunteer/paid staff led restoration on the Manx Electric Railway saw trailer 50 return to service during the annual Manx Heritage Transport Festival. Whilst we are used to trams returning to service after restoration this was a bit more special as it was first time it had been used since 1978 – a full 47 year absence!
Telford Steam Tram
Possibly the first 2’ gauge tram to feature on the shortlist, the Telford Steam Tram (and its associated carriage) returned to service in 2025 after an overhaul and restoration. Dating from 1979, it had been out of use since 2019 when it had to withdrawn requiring work and this had been completed over the past few years allowing its return to action. It was officially returned to service on 24th August 2025 with television presenter Tim Dunn doing the honours and naming it Thomas Telford.
Tram (Modern)/Light Rail Vehicle of the Year
Docklands Light Railway 209
As with so many new rail fleets in the UK, the introduction of the new trains for the DLR has been much delayed but 2025 finally saw the first of the B23s carry passengers. 209 became the first to be used on 30th September 2025, with it in service between Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International. Issues with one of the trains not stopping at a station in wet weather has since seen the fleet grounded again.
Manchester Metrolink 3027
We have seen several trams on various UK systems spend prolonged periods out of service but Metrolink’s M5000 3027 probably takes the award (so far) of the tram which has been out of action for the longest. It spent a grand total of 2094 days out of service following a RTC on the Airport line on 16th May 2019, before it returned to service on 7th February 2025.
Tyne and Wear Metro 555 021
Another first into service for the shortlist, and one you need a good memory to remember as it was way back on 18th December 2024 that 555 021 became the first of the Stadler built trains to enter service on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Since that historic occasion a further 26 of the units have been used in service, with 20 more still to come in 2026.
Tramway/Museum (Heritage) of the Year
Crich Tramway Village
After 2024 was a spectacular year with two trams returning to service after restoration and overhaul, 2025 was more a year of consolidation and work behind the scenes at Crich. They did welcome three new trams as the “Merseyside 3” arrived to become permanent members of the collection, although they all need assessment before being prepared for service. Major work took place on the trams with a programme of arc chute replacement, and excellent progress was made in the Workshop with the restoration of Blackpool 298 with the new Access Tram, Blackpool 645 having work started on it as well.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Another excellent year for the East Anglia Transport Museum as they continue to attract visitors to their museum with a varied programme of events. Its not just the front of house tram, trolleybus and railway operation which is deserving of the nomination but also continued work in the workshops. This included the reunification of the two decks of Glasgow 488 and progress on an overhaul for Amsterdam 474.
Tramway (Modern) of the Year
Blackpool Tramway
Yes, this is bound to be a controversial nomination but it should be remembered that this category is solely for the operation of the modern core tramway service, run by the fleet of Flexity2 trams. After a bit of a shaky start in 2024 when the North Station extension opened, 2025 has seen a completely revised timetable introduced which provides a far better service for through journeys as well as onto the extension. On top of that there has been a concerted effort in tidying up the trams themselves with expired adverts removed and a glut of new advertising contracts added as well.
Edinburgh Trams
The tramway has continued to prove itself a valuable part of the public transport system in the Scottish capital with record-breaking passenger numbers and enhanced services on busy days. The extension to Newhaven has now been running for over two years and has proven itself to be an excellent addition making the trams even more useful for those travelling around the city.
Manchester Metrolink
It’s the UK’s biggest tramway and 2025 has been another good year for Metrolink. Passenger numbers are up once again and the future looks bright with investment in the infrastructure continuing as major trackworks took place throughout the summer. And if Andy Burnham has his way we will be enjoying even more trams across Greater Manchester in the years to come.
Event of the Year
Crich Tramway Village – Tram Weekend
It’s a firm fixture in the special event calendar for tram enthusiasts but Tram Weekend has become so much more than that with the general public also enjoying what it has to offer. With a very regular tram service and unique photo opportunities what’s not to like!
East Anglia Transport Museum – Seaside Event
A new event for 2025 saw the museum site in Carlton Colville turned into the seaside! From a tram perspective that saw three Blackpool trams in service but as always at the EATM its not just about the trams with a wide variety of seaside trolleybuses in action too. The highlight of that included the stunning Bournemouth open-top trolleybus 202 in action on both days. And the sun shone too!
Manx Heritage Transport Festival
2025 was another classic year for the Heritage Transport Festival on the Isle of Man. Featuring events on all heritage lines across the island, highlights on the MER included that return to service of trailer 50, the usual parallel runs, photo specials and an intensive service to finish the event off. Tram displays were also seen on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway with a special photo line-up on the Snaefell Mountain Railway too.
Seaton Tramway – 55th Anniversary Gala Weekend
The August Bank Holiday weekend usually marks the anniversary of the Seaton Tramway and with 2025 marking 55 years since 8 ran the very first passenger trip a special gala weekend took place. This saw depot tours and over the course of two days every single operational passenger tram in service.
How to Vote
You now know what has been shortlisted so it is now time to register your votes! Votes can be submitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B5C3K6Y. You can vote in all or just some of the categories but please remember multiple votes will be discounted so if you’re not sure don’t submit one vote and then decide to go in later and change your mind!
We will still keep voting open for four weeks and so the deadline for votes will now be 1000 on Saturday 17th January 2026. Please remember only vote once (multiple votes will be removed!) and that the contest is just for fun!
Good luck to everything nominated!
- You can find more details of the Tram of the Year contest at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/tramofyear.html