Spring is approaching and that can only mean one thing – and we’re not talking about leaves on the trees and longer days! It’s the start of another heritage tram season at various tramway across the British Isles. Whilst the Seaton Tramway started their season in time for the February half-term they have been ploughing a lone furrow but were joined by the Crich Tramway Village who opened for the first time in 2025 on Saturday 16th March.
The first day of the season saw a three tram service in operation (the only day so far in 2025 that three trams have been used) with Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22 and Sheffield 74 out on the tramway. Since then its been two trams in service each day – with various combinations of the same three trams in use.
Saturday 16th March was also the only day so far this season that trams were able to run in service under Bowes Lyon Bridge. Since then its been a revised service with one tram operating from Town End to Bowes Lyon Bridge and then another from the Bandstand to Wakebridge.
You’ll also notice that trams are not running any further than Wakebridge with the section north from there to Glory Mine currently unavailable. This is down to continued maintenance work which is it is planned will be completed in time for the full route to be available once again from Thursday 17th April (just in time for Easter).
Crich Tramway Village is currently open Saturdays to Wednesdays each week (closed on Thursdays and Fridays). It will also be open on Thursday 10th and 17th, and Fridays 11th and 18th April during local school holidays.
Its interesting that the season started with an operational pool of just three trams, including Chesterfield 7 – which was meant to be withdrawn for overhaul at the end of 2022 – and Sheffield 74, which by my reckoning last had a full mechanical overhaul 20 years ago. I’m sure there must be a reason for these being the first cars commissioned, but it certainly surprised me! It is good to see Crich being more flexible with the operating fleet these days though, the past ‘8 year overhaul’ policy seems to have been quietly dropped.
PS. The Crich social media pages show that Leeds 399 and Blackpool 630 were in service today, which is good to see – especially 630 as there were some reports that it wouldn’t run this year.