The 2005 TRAM OF THE YEAR is the Trampower Tram which was thrust back into the limelight in November when it was used in public service at the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway where it had spent several months undergoing tests. The tram has since been moved back to Blackpool to undergo further tests although it has not yet commenced these. It may be remembered that when it was known as Roadliner back in the late 1990s the tram was in Blackpool undergoing tests. Since this date the tram has spent some time at Carnforth by the West Coast Main Line and has been repainted into a Dark Green and Yellow version of the Blackpool Transport Metro Coastlines livery style.

Congratulations to the tram which becomes the fourth tram to hold the accolade and only the second to do so on its own. In 2003 the award went to Leeds 602 whilst 2004 saw joint winners in Blackpool Frigate 736 and NET 203.

A huge thanks to all those who voted this year as well - over 125 more votes were received this year than last and has assured that I will continue with the contest in 2006 as well!

The Nominations

There were enough emails persuading me that the TRAM OF THE YEAR should go ahead for 2005, but please be aware that if there are not enough votes this year there will be no contest next year. There have been plenty of different trams mentioned and so I have had to think long and hard about which three should go onto the final shortlist, and here it is...

Blackpool Vambac 11
Having spent many long years out of service undergoing a restoration this tram was finally returned to service at the East Anglian Transport Museum near Lowestoft. The tram was officially launched into service during at Easter 2005 and has become a regular member of the operating fleet at the Museum.

Leeds 345
Another tram which has been out of service for years is this one, Leeds 345. The tram has not yet returned to service but was the most popular tram in the nominations so there was no option but to put it on the shortlist. 2006 should be the big year when 345 is returned to service at the Crich Tramway Village, this having been delayed from September this year. It is currently undergoing a rigourous testing programme.

Trampower Tram
Having spent a number of years out of the public eye, the Trampower tram has seen its first ever passenger runs in the last few weeks at the heritage tramway in Birkenhead. The tram is now expected to move to Blackpool soon for further tests. When it was known as the Roadliner it was in the resort back in the late 1990s for a few years/

Other mentions should go to the whole Blackpool Boat fleet, Blackpool Conduit 4 and Manchester Metrolink 1015.

You now know the choices so all you have to do is vote, the poll is on the home page.



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 in 2003 we had Leeds 602 (which had re-entered service at Crich) and Blackpool Coronation 304 (which of course had been a TV star) and then in 2004 there was teh first NET tram and an relaunched Blackpool Illuminated tram.

The contest for 2005 depends very much on you. Last years TRAM OF THE YEAR had very little interest in the voting and despite extending the voting for an extra week only 28 votes in total were cast and in the end there was a tie for the contest. Last year saw several obvious candiates with the Frigate being relaunched in Blackpool and NET opening but 2005 has not seen as many key tram events so there are very few obvious candidates. If there is a tram you think should get a nomination please email me today with reasons why this tram should be up for the award. If by the deadline I feel there has not been enough interest in nominations there will be NO Tram of the Year contest this year. So it is entirwely up to you whether TRAM OF THE YEAR continues.

See below for the stages of the contest and what happens if it goes ahead...

Stage 1: Selecting a Short List
During November (deadline for nominees is 9pm on Friday 2 December 2005) the field is open for you to put forward your ideas for which trams are worthy of the honour of being the BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE TRAM OF THE YEAR 2005!
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 a maximum of 3 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 2005.
The voting will continue throughout December 2005, with the deadline for voting set as Saturday 7 January 2006 at 9pm.

Stage 3: And the Winner is...
After the voting closes on 7 January 2006 we will be in a position to name the BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE TRAM OF THE YEAR 2005. 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!!!!