This is your one stop guide to when and where you can ride on heritage trams in the UK and Isle of Man. Easter is traditionally the time when things start to become even more exciting on our heritage tramways and this year is no different with special events being held in Blackpool, at the Crich Tramway Village and also on the Isle of Man.
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Current Status: Open daily
Opening hours: 1000-1700 (last admission 1500)
More info @ http://www.beamish.org.uk.
Birkenhead Heritage Tramway
Current Status: Operating daily until Sunday 27th April and then every Saturday and Sunday
Operating hours: Services run from Taylor Street Museum at 1300 and then every half hour until 1630, returning from Woodside Ferry at 1315 until the last possible return at 1615. A two tram service will run on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Next special event: Easter Egg Hunt –18th-21st April
More info @ http://www.mtps.co.uk
Blackpool Tramway
Current Status: Operates Bank Holiday weekends and selected other dates until end of August.
Next service:
Friday 18th, Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th April – English Electric at Easter. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the streamlined fleet with 6 trams running each day (maximum of 4 at any one time). On Saturday 19th at 1430 there will be a naming ceremony at Pleasure Beach heritage stop by Daphne Luff, daughter of Walter Luff. There will also be tram-line ups on each day between 1300 and 1500 on Blundell Street. Full details of what is due in service when and which trams will be on display can be found at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=7191.
More info @ http://www.blackpooltransport.com/services/heritage-trams.
Crich Tramway Village
Current Status: Open Daily
Opening hours: 1000-1730 (last admission 1600). At least 3 trams should be in service each day (subject to availability)
Next special event: Easter 1940s Weekend – 20th & 21st April
More info @ http://www.tramway.co.uk
Douglas Horse Tramway
Current Status: Closed. Re-opens Monday 12th May 2014.
Operating hours: First tram departs Strathallan at 0900 and then every 20 minutes until 1720. Return journeys commence from the Sea Terminal at 0920 and then every 20 minutes until 1740.
More info @ http://www.douglas.gov.im/index.php/leisure/horse-trams#.UzXDlGdOWM8
East Anglia Transport Museum
Current Status: Open (details of when see below).
Opening hours: Every Thursday 1300-1700 (last admission 1600) and every Sunday 1100-1700 (last admission 1600). Also Friday 18th & Saturday 19th April (1300-1700) and Monday 21st April (1100-1700).
Next special event: Suffolk Made & Operated – Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May
More info @ http://www.eatm.org.uk/index.html
Great Orme Tramway
Current Status: Operates daily
Operating hours: 1000-1700 (from April 1000-1800). Trams every 20 minutes
More info @ http://www.greatormetramway.co.uk/index.asp
Heaton Park Tramway
Current Status: Open every Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays.
Operating hours: 1200-1700 using at least one tram.
Next special event: Blackpool Running Day – Monday 21st April (a special bus link will run from Blackpool and Blackpool trams 623 and 619 – which will be rededicated as such by Bryan Lindop will be in service with Railgrinder 752 offering Tram Driving Experience trips)
More info @ http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk
Manx Electric Railway
Current Status: Now in operation. See below for details of when.
The following services will be running during April:
Monday 28th-Wednesday 30th – Timetable B (7 departures daily between Derby Castle and Ramsey and return starting at 0940 from Derby Castle)
Until Saturday 19th, Monday 21st-Sunday 27th – Timetable C (9 departures between Derby Castle and Ramsey starting from Derby Castle at 0940 plus one morning Laxey-Derby Castle and evening return journey)
A special service will operate on Sunday 20th April in connection with “Rush Hour on the Railways”
Next special event: Rush Hour on the Railways – 18th-21st April
More info @ http://www.gov.im/publictransport/Rail/Electric/
Seaton Tramway
Current Status: Daily running.
The following services will be running during April:
Monday 28th April-Friday 2nd May – Yellow timetable. First tram Seaton at 1000 and then every 30 minutes until 1600 with returns from Colyton starting at 1030 until the last departure of the day at 1630.
Until Sunday 29th April – Blue timetable. First tram Seaton at 1000 and then every 30 minutes until 1700 with returns from Colyton starting at 1030 until the last departure of the day at 1730.
More info @ http://www.tram.co.uk
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Current Status: Open
The following services will be running during April:
Monday 28th-Wednesday 30th – Timetable B (hourly departures between 1015 and 1545 – return from the Summit at 1110-1645)
Until Sunday 27th – Timetable C (every half hour between 1015 and 1545 – return from the Summit at 1110-1640)
Extra evening services will run on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th April for Pie in the Sky ticket holders
Next special event: Pie in the Sky – 25th & 26th April
More info @ http://www.gov.im/publictransport/Rail/Snaefell
Summerlee – The Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Current Status: Open daily
Opening hours: 1000-1700. One tram is usually in service each day.
More info @ http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15877.
The information provided above is given in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you know of any errors please contact us by using the comments section below or by emailing gareth@britishtramsonline.co.uk
Blackpool Brush 631 on the approach to Starr Gate Depot on 11th April during the mass transfer of trams for the Easter Heritage Service. (Photo: Bradley Jones)