| Last Updated Sunday 6th December 2009 |
|
Previous Winners of the British Trams Online Tram of the Year: 2008 - Blackpool Balloon 717 |
| Tram of the Year 2009: It's Time To Vote!!! |
|
Information on the three shortlisted is given below if you need some reminding what that "something special" they have done in 2009 is. To vote click your favourite tram in the box below and then click on vote! Please only vote once - the system should only allow you to vote once in every 365 days but is not foolproof so we are also relying on your honesty. Happy voting!!
|
| Tram of the Year 2009: The Shortlisted Trams |
|
The three trams shortlisted for the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2009 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 Illuminated Western Train 733+734
Why is it nominated? A return to service after a major restoration
One of the most hotly anticipated return to the rails of recent years Blackpool Illuminated Western Train 733+734 has been turning heads throughout the 2009 Blackpool Illuminations having undergone a major restoration funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The trams last ran at the end of the 1999 Illuminations and during that 10 year hiatus they had been much missed and there was even a campaign by the Blackpool Gazette to get the Train back onto the rails. Following its restoration 733+734 first ran on the Prom on Wednesday 15th April on test with the first passenger journey undertaken on Tuesday 12th May followed two days later by the official launch. Another notable outing was at Totally Transport during June when they ran a couple of special tours from Harrowside to Little Bispham, Starr Gate and back to Harrowside before they settled into a regular patten of Illumination Tours in September, October and early November. Despite a few teething problems the tram has proved popular with enthusiasts and general public alike.
Cardiff 131
Why is it nominated? Completion of restoration to help celebrate 50 years of Crich
For the first time a works car is on the shortlist for the award with Cardiff 131. 131 was restored in the Workshops at Crich as it was the very first tram on the site back in 1959 and it was decided to help celebrate the 50th anniversary it would return to working order. Looking resplendent in the maroon and cream colours of Cardiff Corporation Tramways the Water Car was restored in Crich's own workshops and played a starring role at the Crich50 celebrations over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in late May and was the first tram in the major cavalcade on the Sunday of this event. The tram is now being used at the Crich Tramway Village on a fairly regular basis as part of the Works fleet.
Manchester Metrolink 3001
Why is it nominated? The first of 40 new M5000 LRVs
3001 became the first of the M5000 class of LRVs to arrive in Manchester on Monday 13th July 2009. 40 of these vehicles have been ordered to operate the new Metrolink routes due to start opening from 2011 and also to help relieve overcrowding on the current routes. The first of M5000s have now started daytime testing and are expected to enter service by the end of the year.
Although these three trams have been added to the shortlist a number of other trams were nominated including: Blackpool Brush 622, Blackpool Brush 627 and Blackpool Balloon 722.
|
| About the the Tram of the Year |
|
The British Trams Online Tram of the Year contest has been in 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 bit can include a tram returning to service after a major restoration, 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 and in 2008 Blackpool Balloon 717 (returning to service after major heritage overhaul).
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), then a shortlist of, normally, a maximum of 3 trams is drawn up and then in December and early January voting takes place. 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 2009. Read on now to find out more detail of the different stages of the contest. |
| Stage 1: Selecting a Shortlist |
|
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 detailing the reasons why you have nominated the tram.
This year because November seems to have crept up on me(!) there is a fairly limited period for nominations - the deadline for nominees is 2100 on Saturday 5th December 2009). After this deadline British Trams Online Webmaster Gareth Prior will select a shortlist of up to 3 trams which he has been convinced 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 in his opinion have done the most special things in the last 12 months. |
| Stage 2: Vote for Your Favourite! |
|
After the shortlist has been created the public vote will open on Sunday 6th December 2009. 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 enabled between Sunday 6th December 2009 and Sunday 24th January 2010. It is currently envisaged that voting will be closed at 1100 on Sunday 24th January 2010 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 24th January 2010 we will be in a position to name the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2009. 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! |
|
|
| 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. |