It’s that time of the week again as we round-up just when and where you can ride on heritage trams in the UK and Isle of Man. Highlight of this week looks set to be at Crich where you are invited to join Blackpool 711 to celebrate its 80th birthday party and it should be joined by another eight Blackpool passenger trams in service with the Blackpool Electric Loco also due to be in use on the mainline with Blackpool 49 on static display. And Blackpool will start to be the main focus of our attention for the rest of the month as well with the Illumination Tours reaching a crescendo as the month draws to a close!
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.
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). It is planned up to 5 trams will be used nightly during the October half term week (27th October-2nd November).
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: Sunday 12th October – Celebrate Blackpool 711’s 80th Birthday (with up to 9 trams in service). Full preview available at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=9277.
More info @ http://www.tramway.co.uk
Great Orme Tramway
Current Status: Operates daily
Operating hours: 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:
Timetable A (4 return trips per day) is in operation on Tuesdays-Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from until Thursday 23rd October.
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 Yellow timetable is in operation until Sunday 2nd November with the 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:
Timetable A (services roughly every hour 1015-1545) is in operation on Tuesdays-Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from until Thursday 23rd October.
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
Two of the stars of the show of this weekend's event at Crich are seen here at Glory Mine on 13th September: Balloon 711 (celebrating its 80th birthday) and Box 40 (its farewell appearance at Crich). (Photo: Gareth Prior)