As the year draws to an end for most of Britain’s heritage tramways, we take our weekly look at all that is going on over the next seven days and where you can ride on a vintage tram in the UK. Highlights include the final few days of the operating season at Crich Tramway Village with the week of Starlight Specials now in full swing, whilst at Blackpool an enhanced heritage output is being employed on most nights this week due to high demand for illumination tours in connection with the school half-term holidays.
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). From 24th October-2nd November up to 5 trams will be in use each night (weekends should see 5 with weeknights 4 although this is subject to staff availability).
More info @ https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours
Crich Tramway Village
Current Status: Open Daily
Opening hours: From 1000 daily until Sunday 2nd November. Please check online for variations on closing times due to the Starlight Special event. At least 3 trams should be in service each day (subject to availability)
Next special event: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November – Starlight Specials
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.
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:
From Saturday 25th October until Sunday 2nd November Timetable B (7 returns trip daily) is in operation.
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 until Sunday 2nd November with the Yellow timetable operating. The first tram from Seaton is at 1000 and then there are departures 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 until Sunday 2nd November with Timetable B (services roughly hourly between 1015 and 1545) in operation.
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
With just a few days left to enjoy the delights of Crich Tramway Village in 2014, we feature this location in this week's photo with two trams which have seen extensive use on the cool autumn days recently. Leeds 345 and Blackpool 167 are seen together at Glory Mine during the 'Electric 50' event on 14th September. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)