| Last Updated Sunday 15th January 2012 |
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Previous Winners of the British Trams Online Tram of the Year: 2010 - Liverpool 762 |
| Tram of the Year 2011: The Result |
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The British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2011 is Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 11 having beaten off competition from Stockport 5 and Manx Electric Railway 7 during the voting period. The 2010 contest may have been a surprise with Liverpool 762 taking the accolade but I think it would be fair to say that this year it has been anything but a surprise!
Although Stockport 5 put up a initial valiant effort to deny 11 the title it was never really in any doubt that the East Anglia Transport Museum’s stunning single deck streamlined tram was going to the “people’s choice” in 2011 with 55% of the total votes. 11 really did steal the show at one of the (if not the) tram events of the year – Power from the Past at Beamish in early September as it effortlessly made it way round the tramway circuit time after time over the four days. This was without doubt the hardest the tram has had to work since it was withdrawn from service in Blackpool in the early 1960s and it didn’t put a foot wrong throughout the event, clearly being the star of the show for many who attended. The tram was such a star at Beamish that many tram enthusiasts found it very difficult to peel themselves away from 11 as it went round and round and round! British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2011 Results Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 11 – 109 votes (55%) |
| Tram of the Year 2011: Time to Vote! |
| Tram of the Year 2011: The Shortlisted Trams |
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The three trams shortlisted for the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2011 have now been selected and brief details are given below as to why they have been added to the shortlist. Thanks to all those who nominated trams this year and apologies if your chosen trams hasn't made it.
Blackpool Marton Vambac 11
Why is it nominated? Starring role at Beamish's Power from the Past.
11 was a "nearly" tram in 2010 with its proposed loan to Blackpool for the 125th anniversary having to be cancelled after agreement couldn't be reached between the involved parties. But in 2011 it certainly wasn't a story of nearly - it was more a case of wow what a star that tram is! The annual Power from the Past event at Beamish - the Living Museum of the North in September had the theme of Circular Tour, Riding for Pleasure and this meant trams which ran at the seaside and what better excuse than to get 11 away from its home since 1969 the East Anglia Transport Museum! A short stay was all that 11 managed at Beamish but in that time it proved what a quality restoration it was as it got the chance to stretch it legs for the first time since it retired in Blackpool.
Manx Electric Railway 7
Why is it nominated? Returning to service on the Isle of Man after a major restoration
The very first Manx Electric Railway vehicle to make the shortlist 7 "makes the cut" following its major restoration and return to service carrying the attractive Douglas & Laxey Electric Tramway livery of Blue and White. The tram had last run in passenger service back in 2002 following which it was used as a works car until early in 2007 before a start was made on its restoration. The tram made its return to service on 5th June 2011 and was then a regular in service on the railway often paired with matching liveried Trailer 48.
Stockport 5
Why is it nominated? Moving to Heaton Park and actually seeing use!
The 2011 shortlist is completed by Stockport 5 which was moved from Blackpool after 15 years of scandalous underuse. It went to the ever improving Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester where it was quickly commissioned and was operating within just a few days of its transportation which was once again on the back of a Scotts Low Loader. The popularity of a traditional red open topped tram in the Park can never be underestimated as really what else would you want to do on those two days a year the sun shines in Manchester than ride on the top deck?
Once again we had a few problems deciding which 3 trams should make the final shortlist. Several of you nominated Blackpool Flexity2 001 for the list but I made the decision to not include this as although it has been delivered and has made some test runs it has yet to enter service and in reality there were many other trams which did something more exciting in 2011 (and let's not forget Edinburgh also had their first trams delivered to the Gogar Depot late in the year). Other trams which were considered but didn't quite make the shortlist were: Thanks once again for all your nominations and if you have any queries about any specific trams not making it please email but please do remember its only a bit of fun!
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| About the the Tram of the Year |
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The British Trams Online Tram of the Year contest has been taking place since the end of 2003. It was originally conceived as a bit of fun for tram enthusiasts at the end of year to find one tram which has done something exciting in the previous 12 months. But just what is something exciting, or special, I hear you ask? Well, this can entirely be down to personal opinion but can include a tram returning to service after a major restoration, a tram operating on a tramway away from its usual home, a brand new tram operarting for the first time or a tram running the first ever service on a system. For example winners so far have included Leeds 602 in 2003 (had re-entered service on a limited basis at Crich), Blackpool Illuminated Frigate 736 (back in service after restoration) and NET 203 (operated first ever service on that system) joint winners in 2004, Trampower Tram (had started testing in Blackpool) in 2005, Leeds 345 (back in service after restoration) in 2006, Blackpool Brush 623 (back in service after repaint in Wartime Green & Cream) in 2007, Blackpool Balloon 717 (returning to service after major heritage overhaul) in 2008, Blackpool Western Train 733+734 (back into service after a Heritage Lottery funded restoration) in 2009 and then last year we had Liverpool 762 winning for its popular loan spell in Blackpool.
The British Trams Online Tram of the Year contest has several stages of which you - the loyal readers of the site - can become involved in. Firstly, we look for nominations for the contest (this can be done by email or by visiting our Facebook Group), then a shortlist of a maximum of 3 trams is drawn up followed by the voting in December and January. Finally, in mid-January an announcement is made of which tram has received the most votes and is duly awarded the accoldae of being British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2011. Read on now to find out more detail of the different stages of the contest. Don't forget we are the original Tram of the Year contest on the web - accept no substitutes! |
| Stage 1: Selecting a Shortlist |
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This stage involves selecting a shortlist of a maximum of 3 trams which should go forward to the main contest. If you have any ideas as to a tram which has done something special during the last 12 months - don't forget that it is up to you as to what you decide that special something is! - please email or visit our Facebook Group detailing the reasons why you have nominated the tram.
The deadline for nominees is 2100 on Saturday 10th December 2011). After this deadline our selection panel will decide on a shortlist of 3 trams which deserve to be put forward to the public vote - it will not necessary be the 3 trams which have had the most nominations but those which have done the most special things in the last 12 months. To be considered for the shortlist a tram has to be nominated so don't presume that someone else has nominated a tram as it might miss out! |
| Stage 2: Vote for Your Favourite! |
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After the shortlist has been created the public vote will open on Sunday 11th December 2011. A series of short profiles will be uploaded to this page to give you an idea as to why the tram has been shortlisted and to help you make your mind up as to where your vote is going. A voting box will be provided on the main British Trams Online homepage and also on this page and you will then be able to cast your vote - but please only vote the once (hopefully the voting software will only allow one vote from each computer).
Voting will be open between Sunday 11th December 2011 and Sunday 14th January 2012. It is currently envisaged that voting will be closed at 1030 on Sunday 14th January 2012 but please check back nearer to the date to see confirmation of vote closing. |
| Stage 3: And the Winner Is... |
| After the voting closes on 14th January 2012 we will be in a position to name the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2011. As usual there will be no lavish awards ceremony but the closest we will get is by making a major annoucement on the British Trams Online home page! The tram will just have the pleasure to know that tram enthusiasts think it deserves the accolade! |
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| British Trams Online is an enthusiast run website for enthusiasts. It should be able to be viewed at all screen resolutions but I do advise you that it is probably best at 1024x768. The site is owned, maintained (and in the main written) by Gareth Prior. Any comments or suggestions please email. |