Photos added 29/03/2025
Crich Tramway Village is home to three more trams after the arrival of the three trams from the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society in March. Birkenhead 20, Wallasey 78 and Liverpool 762 all made the move from the Wirral Transport Museum late last week with the last of them arriving at their new home over the weekend.
The three tramcars have been donated to the Tramway Museum Society by the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society (MTPS) and now call Crich their permanent home. The board of the MTPS made the difficult decision to relocate the trams as a result of the uncertainty over the future of the Wirral Transport Museum and Heritage Tramway; a decision which was made before the recent withdrawal of funding by the local Council. It is hoped that by moving the trams will allow them to be enjoyed doing what they do best a lot quicker than if they had stayed on the Wirral.
With the tramway on the Wirral having being closed in April 2023 following an inspection by the Office of Rail and Road, none of these trams have run for at least two years. Wallasey 78 was confirmed as having been used in the first quarter of 2023 but there were no reports of the same for Birkenhead 20 and Liverpool 762. Now that they are at Crich they will be assessed ahead of any introduction into service, although it is hoped that they will be seen in action on the demonstration tramway at Crich in the future.
Transportation of all three trams was completed by Allelys Heavy Haulage.
In a statement following their arrival the Crich Tramway Village said: “Thanks to the generosity of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society, these beautiful first-generation trams have made the journey from the Wirral Transport Museum to their new home with us. Over several days and finishing this weekend, they were carefully transported to Crich, where our expert Workshop team will soon be assessing them, with hopes of seeing them in action on our tracks in the future!
“A huge thank you to everyone in all organisations involved in this incredible effort, from planning to transport. Your hard work has helped preserve these historic gems for future generations to enjoy.”
The MTPS said: “There has been a lot of speculation and comments regarding the reasons for this move – It is very sad to see them leave their Birkenhead home where all 3 were restored by the MTPS to full working order but this move is in the best interest for the future security, maintenance and operation of these trams. At least they are now in place where they can be accessed, used, looked after and respected for future generations to admire and ride upon.”
So who are the new arrivals?
Birkenhead 20
Built in 1900 by GF Milnes of Birkenhead, the tram ran until 1937. After withdrawal it was sold on for use as a shed on the banks of the River Dee where it was rescued from 1983. Restoration of the tram was completed over many years (and at several locations) with it being launched into service in 1999. After restoration it has operated not only on the Wirral Heritage Tramway but also at Beamish and an ill-fated loan spell in Blackpool.
Wallasey 78
The newest of the three, 78 was built in 1920 and would only have a 13-year operating career as it was withdrawn in 1933 when the tram system was abandoned. The tram has a unique Bellamy roof – making a significant addition to the collection at Crich – and includes open balconies. After being used for storage, 78 was donated to the MTPS in 1986. Restoration was assisted by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and it ran for the first time in preservation in 2002. It has only previously run in Wallasey and on the Wirral Heritage Tramway.
Liverpool 762
A former winner of the British Trams Online Tram of the Year contest (in 2010 after a loan spell at Blackpool), 762 was built in 1931/2 at Liverpool Corporation’s own Edge Lane works. Withdrawn in 1955, just the lower deck survived as a bowling green clubhouse. This was rescued in 1977 and a protracted restoration took place with it entering service in 2001. As well as operating on the Wirral Heritage Tramway it had a successful loan period in Blackpool.
The departure of these three trams from the Wirral Transport Museum leaves the MTPS’ Warrington 28 (partway through a restoration, and expected to also leave in the future for pastures new), Hong Kong built pair 69 and 70 (owned by Wirral Council) and Liverpool 245 (owned by Liverpool City Museums) still in the museum. Birkenhead 7 (a horse car) remains stored at Pacific Road.
20th March and Wallasey 78 is the first of the trams to arrive at their new home. The tram is seen here on the back of the low loader as it is moved along the street.
78 after unloading sits at Town End terminus waiting to be shunted to the depot.
Next to arrive was Birkenhead 20 which is seen here on 22nd March as it turns into the museum.
The ever useful small electric tug moves 20 towards the depot.
Liverpool 762 on 23rd March after unloading and being checked over before its moved towards the depots. (Photograph by R Pennyfather)
And then we see 762 sitting on the traverser. London Transport 1622, London County Council 106, Berlin 223 006-4, Sheffield 189 and New York 3rd Avenue 674 can all be seen looking on at their new friend. (All Photographs courtesy of Crich Tramway Village)
James O’Hanlon has posted a video of the operation on his YouTube channel
https://youtu.be/9QPVlXm9yPM?si=Jwm6jInKQwopNi9t
Why was Birkenheads loan ill-fated?
They cocked up the retyring/profiling and it was severely restricted in operation due to incompatibility with the system. All of which they were told.
Also the work needed to get it operational whilst in Blackpool wasn’t exactly treated as a high priority, meaning by the time it was ready and approved for limited passenger use it had missed the summer season and the best weather for an open top tram, and the loan period was almost over!
I’ve heard some at Birkenhead say that 20 hasn’t been quite right since its return from Blackpool; I don’t know how true that is, but it will certainly be interesting to see what the Crich workshop team make of it.
Might I correct the statement above that the tramway was closed as a result of the ORR inspection?
The Museum and Tramway were closed by Wirrral Borough Council the week before the inspection.
During the post-inspection de-briefing at which I was present, Dr Smith from the ORR expressed her surprise that the Museum and Tramway had been closed.
Fortunately given the current situation at Wirral Transport Museum, the three cars have enjoyed a timely rescue. Hopefully they will soon be able to run at Crich or at least gain a place in the Exhibition Hall. I would expect that Warrington 28 will find it’s way to Clay Cross for storage until its turn arrives for restoration. The cars likely to remain could be considered relevant to the story of the tram in Birkenhead (with the exception of 245) as they demonstrate how it all began (horse tram) and the appearance of the final arrivals in the fleet (replica cars 69 & 70). Maybe that will suffice for a small museum without national significance and the four remaining trams will fit in with a general display relating to Wirral transport over the ages. I dare say they could run one of these trams on high days and holidays, possibly on a truncated line.