We continue with “Meet the Trams” and carry on taking a look at those trams which have run in passenger service at the National Tramway Museum during 2026. And today it is the turn of Glasgow 22 to be looked at.
Glasgow 22 is another of those trams in the fleet at Crich that is likely to be very familiar with even irregular visitors as it has seen extensive use over the years. Although the number and style of the tram may suggest an earlier construction, 22 was actually built in 1922 in Glasgow Corporation’s own workshops and when entering service was in the condition that we see it today – enclosed drivers position but open balconies on the top deck. As the years progressed it received numerous modifications and these included the addition of enclosed balconies. It survived in service until 1960.
There were around 1,000 Glasgow Standard Cars built over the years and so it is no surprise that the one would end up in the national collection with it being acquired in 1962 for preservation. It would be restored in to its original condition before departing Glasgow (this included Corporation staff and enthusiasts working together, showing that the idea of collaboration like this is nothing new!).
This restoration helped to ensure that 22 was one of the first electric trams to run at Crich in 1964 and since then it is second only to Blackpool Standard 40 in the number of miles it has covered at the National Tramway Museum.
Preservation hasn’t been confined to just running up and down the line in Derbyshire though as it was one of the trams to head to the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. Whilst back home it would run almost 4,000 miles and would take the royal party during the opening ceremony of the Festival.
Since then its remained at Crich and although it has obviously spent periods out of service for maintenance and overhaul it is regularly seen in use at the museum.
Fine early season sunshine greets Glasgow 22 as it departs from Town End with a run up the line. (Photograph by Steven Hughes, 21st March 2026)