The last few months of 2014 saw a higher than average number of high-profile appearances on television by vintage trams, with trams from Blackpool, Crich and Heaton Park all being thrust into the spotlight. All of these were on BBC1 programmes and all provided welcome exposure and/or finance towards the preservation movement.
Two different Blackpool trams featured on prime time TV during November; as previously reported, Frigate 736 starred on The One Show, followed soon afterward by Brush car 631 on a special edition of Strictly Come Dancing filmed in the Tower Ballroom. The following month however, it was the turn of the museum tramways to star on television.
On December 17th, the popular daytime BBC1 antiques series Bargain Hunt included an excellent segment filmed at the Crich Tramway Village, which saw presenter Tim Wonnacott take a ride on the magnificent London United Tramways 159 as well as talking to museum Curator Laura Waters about the restoration of this tram. 159 acted as a fantastic ambassador for the museum’s work, although it was a shame that this was shown outside of the main operating season! Nonetheless, it is hoped that this publicity will have a positive impact. As well as LUT 159, some other trams were briefly shown posed for the cameras outside the depots during the short interview segment, and other shots of trams running included a glimpse of Fleetwood Box 40 – those Blackpool trams really do get around!!!
Another TV appearance came on Boxing Day courtesy of That Day We Sang; a one-off drama penned by Vicoria Wood. Some period scenes were filmed at Heaton Park very early on in the year and as well as extras in period dress, Stockport 5 also enjoyed a brief moment of fame. This had been one of its last outings before being sidelined for body work,which has recently resumed in the hope that it will be back in service again in summer 2015. Although this was only a brief glimpse of the tram, the Heaton Park Tramway has proved itself to be more than capable of providing an excellent filming location for such programmes and hopefully this might pave the way for more such ventures.
The Birkenhead Tramway was on “The One Show” too in the edition where Giles Brandraeth investigated the famous “Wallace Murder” case. 762 was used throughout.
And also in an episode of “Great British Railway Journeys.”