| The British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2004 This page was last updated Sunday 16 January 2005 |
The Final Result
The 2004 contest has seen a tie! Blackpool Illuminated Frigate 736 and Nottingham Express Transit 203 each get 9 votes and as such they both have won the title! Thanks to everyone who voted and lets look forward to see which trams are going to be up for the award in 2005! Last year the inaugural award was won by Leeds 602 which had been the star of the Crich Tramway Village Tramathon. For full details of all of last years contest click here. The Nominations Thanks for everyone who sent emails in to nominate a tram for the BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE TRAM OF THE YEAR 2004. There were many more nominations than tram which could go onto the shortlist and so I had to take some tough decisions as to which trams would make it. This year there are just 4 trams on the shortlist, and each and every one of them has made a great stake to become TRAM OF THE YEAR! Blackpool Toastrack 166 166 has spent a number of years since the late 1990s out of service at Crich due to a defect. However, 2004 saw a new fund set up by the Tramcar Support Organisation and Fylde Tramway Society to help Blackpool tram projects at the Crich Tramway Village and this was the first such project of that. After extensive work the tram was readied for a relaunch at the Enthusiasts Day in September. Despite the inclement weather on the day the tram proved to be a success and has performed on the odd occasion since faultlessly. Blackpool Boat 600 This is the one nomination that really caused a lot of problematic thinking. There were three major possibilities for the fourth and final nomination, 600, Balloon 700 and Open Top Balloon 706. All of them were of course stars at the 70th Anniversary Celebrations at the start of September in Blackpool and all have been key servants for the Blackpool Tramway in all those years. 700 was a big contender as it had also performed a lot on the Fleetwood service earlier in 2004 as it had high intensity headlights. However 600 got the final nod for a varity of reasons. Firstly, it is looking likely that the tram is to be stored for 2005 with the huge downsizing of the tram fleet. Secondly, I like the Boats! Finally, (and another really selfish reason!) I was on 600 as it was running on the Prom on 11 September on specials after the procession. The heavans absolutely opened and the tram was terminated short at Manchester Square and went to depot. Little did I know then that that was its final journey. I knew there was a reason I got absolutely soaked! Blackpool Illuminated Frigate 736 This tram was always going to be popular amongst people for the 2004 award as it re-entered service following a major overhaul and rebuild. The tram last ran in 2001 when it had to be withdrawn due to safety concerns but throughout 2003 and 2004 the tram underwent major attention in the Blackpool workshops to return it to service. The tram now looks marvellous with some extra special touches such as a helicopter on the roof. It was officially launched on the evening of 11 September (in the pouring rain!) with a special ceremony outside Blackpool Transport Services Limited offices. Nottingham Express Transit 203 For the second year in succession Nottingham provides the only second generation tram on the list. 203 was another tram which was going to be very close to getting on the shortlist as it ran the very first tram in public service on NET. 203 operated the 0558 Phoenix Park to Station Street servuce on 9 March and will always be remebered for that. Sister 202 was also considered for the shortlist because it was renamed Pudsey and helped to raise £1500 for Children in Need in November but 203 pipped it to the post. You now know the choices so all you have to do is vote. The voting has been set up so you can only vote once per email address - to try and avoid people continually voting for the same tram. About The Tram of the Year The whole point of the TRAM OF THE YEAR contest is pretty straightforward and that is to have a vote on what tram in the UK people think have done something special or have made a big impact. For example last year we had Leeds 602 (which had re-entered service at Crich) and Blackpool Coronation 304 (which of course had been a TV star). Now for 2004 the whole contest starts from scratch and obviously I have some of my own viewpoints on which trams could be put onto a shortlist to be voted for but there may be some of you out there who have your own ideas on a worthy tram. This brings us nicely to look at the different stages that this contest will feature. Stage 1: Selecting a Short List During November (deadline for nominees is 9pm on Saturday 4 December 2004) the field is open for you to put forward your ideas for which trams are worthy of the honour of being the seconf BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE TRAM OF THE YEAR 2004! At this stage I will not let on the trams which I think should be on the list but rather I will throw it open to you, the loyal reader of BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE. If you have any ideas of trams which have done something really special or have returned recently to service after a major overhaul let us know by email. It is up to what you class as a tram having done something special but if you have any thoughts do not hesitate to email us giving details of the tram and why it should be considered for this award. Stage 2: The Main Vote Following the closure of nominees the main voting stage will commence. The final shortlist will feature 3-5 trams and I will have to make the decision from all of the ideas I get from people. After the decision has been made on which trams are to make up the shortlist a series of short profiles will be uploaded, in case you don't know much about the tram or why it has done something so special in 2004. The voting is likely to allow you to vote for your winner as many times as you want, although this could change depending on where I go to get the voting equipment! The voting will continue throughout December 2004, with the deadline for voting set as Saturday 8 January 2005 at 9pm (an extra week for you to vote this year!). Stage 3: And the Winner is... After the voting closes on 8 January 2005 we will be in a position to name the BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE TRAM OF THE YEAR 2004. As last year 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! For any more details or to put in your initial nominations do not hestitate to email BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE on britishtramsonline@lycos.co.uk. And happy voting!!!! |
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