We’ve already reported on the big launch of Blackpool 645 – the new access tram – which took place at the start of the National Tramway Museum’s Tram Weekend 2026, and now we take a look at the rest of what was a very busy and enjoyable weekend with trams in service, works cars out on the line and photo displays around the depot fan.
Day 1 – Saturday 12th September 2026
The day commenced with an air of anticipation ahead of the launch of 645, and not only was it people waiting for the tram to arrive for its launch but fellow trams! The curtain raiser photo opportunity at Stephenson Place was a line-up of trams which were due to run in service later in the day – this included Sheffield 510, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, Glasgow 22, London County Council 1, Liverpool 869 and London Transport 1622 with London County Council 106 at the Town End terminus.
Following the launch of 645 (in fact during the launch!), 510 started off the public service for the day and in total there were nine trams in service with Blackpool 236 and Sheffield 74 running in addition to those listed above. 645 ran several trips for invited guests before it too was used in normal service later in the day.
The mainline also welcomed Cardiff 131 during the afternoon as part of the Works Cars in service segment.
Over on the depot fan and the theme for the main photo line-up was Leeds Trams. This saw current operational cars 345 and 399 joined by 180 (not part of the operational fleet for 2026) and out of the Great Exhibition Hall Tower Wagon 2.
Another tram which was dragged out of the depots for display was Berlin 223 006-4. The former Access Tram making an appearance outside on the day this it was officially replaced in the role!
The day ended with a few issues with the service as both Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 and London County Council 1 suffering faults with their last workings of the day. 40 was able to return to depot under its own power but for Bluebird it was towed back by the Blackpool Electric Locomotive – adding another spectacle for the day!
Trams in service: London County Council 1, Glasgow 22, Blackpool and Fleetwood 40, Sheffield 74, London County Council 106, Blackpool 236, Sheffield 510, Liverpool 869, London Transport 1622 plus Blackpool 645 after invited guests runs (from mid-afternoon)
Also out: Cardiff 131 (PM only)
On display/shunted: Leeds 180 (Leeds line-up), Oporto 273 (shunted), Leeds 345 (Leeds line-up), Leeds 399 (Leeds line-up), Berlin 223 006-4 (display), Leeds Tower Wagon 2 (Leeds line-up)
Day 2 – Sunday 13th September 2026
The start of the second day of Tram Weekend saw a celebration of two trams which have reached their 100th anniversaries in 2026: Blackpool 40 and Leeds 399. Two of the workhorses of the operating fleet over many years they had the honour of running the first services of the day up the line from Town End to Glory Mine and back.
As with the previous day there were several trams in service and with departures from Town End every 10 minutes this saw trams running in twos, and occasionally threes when Cardiff 131 was involved! 131 was out all day running along the line as once again the event saw a Works Car in operation.
Passenger tram wise there were nine trams in use at times during the day. This included Blackpool 645 after its launch the previous day, although unfortunately it was only able to run during the morning. Other trams used included Blackpool 762, Newcastle 102, Blackpool 236, Leeds 345, Sheffield 510 and Liverpool 869.
Over on the depot fan and whilst the previous day had been a relatively low-key affair that was definitely not the case on day two! We had been promised two themes of line-ups – Future Projects and Blackpool.
On the Future Projects side two trams were pulled out of the depot, both of which are on the plan to be restored to service. There has been fundraising taking place to return Glasgow 1282 to service by the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society and this was displayed just in front of the Traverser whilst the second tram was Sheffield 189 which hasn’t run since 1980! This was displayed on the Traverser.
The Blackpool line-up would be to celebrate the launch of Centenary 645 and what better tram to be involved in that than Conduit 4 – a tram built over 100 years before 645! 4 was extracted from the Great Exhibition Hall but before it could come out Southampton 45 had to be moved and the tram which started it all was moved into the depot for the day.
4 was shunted over to the other side of the fan and soon met up with some of its fellow Blackpool trams. A second chance to see 4 with 645, 762 and 167 was given around lunchtime. Unfortunately, this led to 645 suffering a damaged pantograph and so it wasn’t able to return to service for the after lunch period.
The weekend may have had mixed weather, but it ended in fine sunshine and Newcastle 102 had the honour of running the last service of the weekend. And that was it for another event – what will they come up with next year?!
Trams in service: Blackpool 40, Newcastle 102, Blackpool 236, Leeds 345, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510, Blackpool 645 (AM only), Blackpool 762, Liverpool 869
Also out: Cardiff 131
On display/shunted: Sheffield 189, Glasgow 1282 (Future Projects line-up), Blackpool 4, Blackpool 167, Blackpool 645, Blackpool 762 (Blackpool line-up), Southampton 45, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, London County Council 106 (shunted)
- Video of the weekend from Steven Hughes Transport Videos is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/l2Yha92e–4?si=h4JZmz2DItIvd_N7 and https://youtu.be/Hbco5NNotu8?si=lrL2e4S17gv3gsb9
Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 heads off up the line with London County Council 1 being passed.
The Leeds tram line-up featuring 180, 399, 345 and Tower Wagon 2.
Cardiff 131 comes down to Town End.
A stunning shot of Blackpool 645 through the pedestrian arch of the Bowes Lyon Bridge. (Photographs x4 by Steven Hughes, 12th September 2026)
The end of the first day saw London County Council 1 suffer a fault with the Workshop team quickly working on bringing it back to the depots. The Blackpool Electric Locomotive does the honours here as it passes the Entrance. (Photograph by Ian Peberday, 12th September 2026)
Glasgow 1282 prepares to go for a sideways ride on the Traverser.
The second of the future projects trams to come out was Sheffield 189.
Outside The Red Lion with Blackpool 236 and Liverpool 869.
The Blackpool line-up showing 167, 645, 4 and 762 on the depot fan. (Photographs x4 by Steven Hughes, 13th September 2026)
Liverpool 869 is at the head of queue of trams with Cardiff 131, Blackpool 236, Leeds 345 all for company. The coach dates from 1950 and worked for Midland Red. (Photograph by Ken Jones, 13th September 2026)