And just like that another main season is over at the National Tramway Museum, Crich. It may have been its first back as the National Tramway Museum after around 25 years but the year built upon recent successes with trams from across the UK in operation over the seven and a half months. And whilst it may be the end of the main operating season, things aren’t quite over for trams at Crich in 2026 as this coming weekend sees the special Tramlight event!
The final weekend of the main 2026 season started on Saturday 31st October with a standard three-car service in operation. This saw Blackpool 236, London County Council 106 and Liverpool 869 in action – it may have been the last day of October but it was still two-thirds open trams in service! Then the very last day, Sunday 1st November, saw a trio of Yorkshire cars with Sheffield 74 being joined by Leeds pair 345 and 399.
Over the course of 2026, 16 passenger trams have run in service. This included six from Blackpool (including the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad), three from London, two a piece from Leeds and Sheffield and then a solitary example from Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle. Of note is that for the first time in many years all the trams to have run came the UK with no overseas tramcars having been used.
Attention now turns towards Tramlight which takes place on Saturday 7th (1400-2000) and Sunday 8th (1400-1900) November 2026. This premium event – annual tickets are not valid with TMS members also needing to pay to enter – sees the museum site illuminated with an enchanted lantern trail as well as some illuminated trams.
Full details of the event – including ticket prices and a link to purchase tickets in advance – can be found at https://tramway.co.uk/whats-on/tramlight-premium-event/.
Liverpool 869 waits at Stephenson Place.
Blackpool 236 heads up the line passing the depot entrance. Note also the museum is paying their respects to Remembrance Sunday with poppies on the lampposts.
In this photo we see London County Council 106 heading past the depot entrance as it returns to the museum street from Glory Mine. (All Photographs by Stuart Cooke, 31st October 2026)