The replica Llandudno & Colwyn Bay tramcar no. 7 is to make another appearance before the year is up when it will be hauled through the streets of Llandudno as part of the Christmas Parade on Saturday 6th December.
No. 7 – in fact using the body of former Bournemouth tram 126 – was cosmetically restored to be used as the centrepiece of celebrations in 2007 of the centenary of the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway by the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society (L&CBTS). It was originally intended that the tram would be hauled around the local area for one year only as it was considered that the bodywork was in a poor condition but as 2007 ended it was decided to continue showing the tram around North Wales (plus one visit to Birkenhead). In the intervening years no. 7 has been both hauled around its former routes and also displayed but in more recent times these appearances have been becoming less regular.
But on Saturday 6th December no.7 will once again be seen on its home terrority as part of the Llandudno Christmas Parade. Departing Llandudno railway station at 1600 the tram will be hauled along Vaughan Street, North Western Gardens and Mostyn Street to the Town Hall in Lloyd Street. It will then return to the railway station along Madoc Street. The L&CBTS would love to see people turn out to see the tram in what could be one of its last trips out as time is now approaching when it needs to be reunited with its bogies (which are in store) and for it to be put on static display in the local area.
As well as replica tram no. 7 the Society also own the bodies of two other ex-Bournemouth trams: no. 86 and no. 101. It had been hoped to restore 86 as Llandudno 6 and for it to be done so in an operational condition but due to a lack of funding this project seems to have been put on the back burner for a while now. The body of 101 was acquired from Seaton a few years ago and is also in store for a possible future project.
The Society have also published a new book to help raise money for their aims. “Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway: Then & Now” features 50 pairs of photos of the former tramway – many of which have not previously been published. Available for just £5 (plus £1.50 postage) this book is available direct from the Society’s Sales Manager and details can be found at http://swissitalianpaddlesteamers.com/lcbtramsoc/sales.html on how you can get your copy.