So what do our heritage tramways have for you over the next week? Well there is the small matter of the highly anticipated Electric 50 event at the Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September where up to 25 trams will be in service (up to 15 at a time) including Newcastle 114, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, Blackpool 711, Blackpool 167 and the launch into service of Blackpool 762. And if that wasn’t enough for you the three visiting trams will also be in service on Friday 12th September for Electric Friday. Sunday 14th September will also see the last operation of the Douglas Horse Tramway for 2014 with the next normal horse tram service not expected to run until 2016.
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: Operates 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.
Next Special Event: Sunday 5th October – Bus & Tram Show
More info @ http://www.mtps.co.uk
Blackpool Tramway
Current Status: Operates nightly during the Illuminations until Sunday 9th November
Operating Hours: Tours start shortly after the Illuminations are switched on nightly (details of times can be found at http://www.blackpooltransport.com/services/illuminations)
More info @ https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours
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: Friday 12th September – Electric Friday (Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, Newcastle 114 and Blackpool 711 should form the service subject to availability)
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September – Electric 50. Full preview available at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8865
British Trams Online will be providing LIVE coverage from both days of Electric 50 at http://www.facebook.com/BritishTramsOnline.
More info @ http://www.tramway.co.uk
Douglas Horse Tramway
Current Status: Daily operation until Sunday 14th September. This is will be the last operation until 2016 due to Promenade works taking place during 2015.
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.
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September a variety of trams will be in use including double decker 18 and children under 16 go free.
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 & Saturday 1300-1700 (last admission 1600) and every Sunday 1100-1700 (last admission 1600) until Sunday 28th September.
More info @ http://www.eatm.org.uk/index.html
Great Orme Tramway
Current Status: Operates daily
Operating hours: 1000-1800 (during October 1000-1700) until late October. 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: Autumn Gala – Sunday 23rd November
More info @ http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk
Manx Electric Railway
Current Status: Operating daily. See below for details of when.
The following services will run over the next few weeks:
Until Sunday 28th September – Timetable C (10 departures from Derby Castle per day between 0940 until 1640 – final departure only as far as Laxey rest go to Ramsey – returning from Ramsey between 1010 and 1640 – also departure from Laxey for Derby Castle at 0955)
There will be additional evening services between Derby Castle and Laxey on Wednesdays 17th September and Fridays 12th and 19th September.
Next special event: Winter Photography on the MER – 1st November
More info @ http://www.gov.im/publictransport/Rail/Electric/
Seaton Tramway
Current Status: Daily running.
The Blue timetable will be in operation until Sunday 14th September. First tram leaves Seaton at 1000 and then every 20 minutes until 1700, returning from Colyton starting at 1030 until final departure at 1730.
Then between Monday 15th September and Sunday 2nd November the Yellow timetable will be in operation. First tram from Seaton at 1000 and then every 30 minutes until 1600 with returns from Colyton between 1030 and 1630.
More info @ http://www.tram.co.uk
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Current Status: Operating Daily.
The following services will run over the next few weeks:
Until Sunday 28th September – Timetable C (half hourly services 1015-1545)
There will be evening services (Summit diners only) on Wednesday 17th September and Fridays 12th and 19th September.
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
One of the expected stars of the Electric 50 event at Crich this weekend will be Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40. It is seen here on 3rd August at the Entrance on one of its first days in service back at Crich. (Photo: Andrew Waddington)