Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Do we like to be beside the seaside?

Crich Tramway Village have just staged one of their most ambitious events to date, in the shape of ‘Beside the Seaside’ which lasted for an unprecedented nine days this year. Largely aimed at families, a huge amount of effort and … Continue reading

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 13 Comments

In Pictures: Another big shunt – Heaton Park style

Some unusual and fantastic scenes were created earlier this week at the Heaton Park Tramway’s new Lakeside terminus, when a large shunting opportunity created an impromptu photo opportunity featuring an incredible six trams! The movements saw several operational cars appear, … Continue reading

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Blackpool’s heritage trams return home

On Thursday 29th May, a large number of historic tramcars graced Blackpool’s promenade, just a few days after the most recent spell of operation for the heritage fleet. This time however, the cars were not available for the public to … Continue reading

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A fond farewell for Manchester Metrolink’s T68s

Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May was a milestone day in the history of Manchester’s public transport, and indeed the history of British trams in the general, as it marked the final operation of one of the original batch of … Continue reading

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, Manchester Metrolink | 14 Comments

Funding boost takes Beamish into the ‘fifties!

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, made a very exciting announcement on 27th May 2014, confirming that a bid for finance from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been successful. The hugely popular open-air museum has been awarded an initial … Continue reading

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 2 Comments

The cat that got the tram!

The recent Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw a diverse range of events taking place at tramways across the country, and the Seaton Tramway in Devon was not to be left out. On Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, Seaton 12 was unveiled … Continue reading

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Boating concludes the Blackpool Bank Holiday

After two days of rather changeable, and at times very wet, weather conditions, the third and final day of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw a vast improvement in the weather at Blackpool, allowing open trams to dominate the heritage … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Blackpool Pantograph cars reunited

The second day of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday 25th May, once again saw a three-car heritage service operating in Blackpool with visiting ‘Pantograph’ car 167 once again stealing the show. The opportunity was also taken to operate the … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Blackpool Brush car 634 arrives in the North East

Friday 23rd May saw yet another tram arrival at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum at Washington, near Sunderland. As reported previously, the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust have arranged a long-term loan deal involving privately owned Blackpool … Continue reading

Posted in North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 3 Comments

Blackpool 167 visits old haunts and makes new friends

One of the most anticipated tram events of 2014 occurred on Saturday 24th May, when Blackpool ‘Pantograph’ car 167 made its debut on the heritage tram service in Blackpool. Having last run in its former home town in 2010 – … Continue reading

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 13 Comments

Blackpool 167 arrives at Starr Gate!

On Friday 23rd May, Blackpool 167 made the short journey along its native tramway to the Starr Gate depot, ahead of its highly anticipated debut on heritage tour duty the next day. Having been hidden away since arriving back in … Continue reading

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Two Metrolink T68s to be preserved

Following a huge amount of speculation in recent months, we are delighted to confirm that Metrolink have announced that not one, but two of the withdrawn T68 trams are set to be preserved, with a third also set to survive … Continue reading

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, Manchester Metrolink | 8 Comments

Liverpool 245 launch date confirmed for July

The long-awaited launch into passenger service of the newly restored Liverpool ‘Baby Grand’ 245 at the Birkenhead heritage tramway will take place on Saturday 19th July, with special commemorative tickets being sold for the tram’s historic inaugural run. It had … Continue reading

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 9 Comments

Up close and personal with Sheffield 189

The ‘Best of Sheffield’ event held at Crich Tramway Village to celebrate the return to service of Sheffield 510 provided visitors with a rare opportunity to not only see Sheffield 189 out in the open air, but also to have … Continue reading

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, Trams Up Close | 29 Comments

Sheffield 330 gets ready for the weekend

Preparations for this week’s Sheffield-themed event taking place at Crich Tramway Village are now well underway, with the various trams which will be taking centre stage being readied for the big occasion. As reported previously, works car Sheffield 330 is … Continue reading

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

In Pictures: A look around Lakeside Depot

During a visit to the Heaton Park Tramway on 11th May, British Trams Online writer Andrew Waddington was treated to a tour of the new depot at Lakeside. Currently home to five tramcars and a few other bits and pieces, … Continue reading

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Blackpool Event Preview: Spring Bank Holiday Heritage Tram Operation

The upcoming Spring Bank Holiday weekend will see the welcome return of heritage trams to service in Blackpool for their third spell of operation this year. From May 24th to 26th inclusive, a selection of historic tramcars will grace the … Continue reading

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Crich Event Preview: Beside the Seaside

During the school half term holidays at the end of May, Crich Tramway Village is being transformed into a seaside-style attraction, with a whole host of traditional activities to entertain visitors of all ages. For the first time ever, this … Continue reading

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, Event Previews | 16 Comments

Funding for Leeds 602 restoration rejected

The Tramway Museum Society has turned down the offer of a substantial bequest to be spent on fully restoring Leeds 602 to an operational condition. Last year, a TMS member who was actively involved in the initial preservation of 602 … Continue reading

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 140 Comments

More Blackpool trams to return to Rigby Road

Excellent news to report from Blackpool concerns two trams formerly owned by the Lancastrian Transport Trust, both of which are now set to be returned to their former home at Blackpool Transport’s Rigby Road depot. The trams concerned are Balloon … Continue reading

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