The 2026 operating season is now well and truly over for the National Tramway Museum following the conclusion of the Tramlight special event over the weekend of 7th and 8th November. Steven Hughes paid a visit and has provided us with a selection of images, some of which feature in this article.
Tramlight (under different names) has become a firm fixture in the special events calendar at the National Tramway Museum over the last few years and sees the museum open for one final weekend with after dark running. And what do you need if there is after dark running? Lights of course! Special lighting effects can be seen on the street whilst the Woodland Walk is transformed into an Enchanted Lantern Trail.
The trams weren’t left out either with Blackpool 236 already fitted with festoon lighting from each corner and Glasgow 22 being specially fitted with external lights for the occasion.
On the first evening of the event – Saturday 7th November – six trams were allocated to service. As well as 22 and 236, this saw London County Council 106, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510 and London Transport 1622 in service – something for everyone, including those who like a bit of fresh air and those who realise its November and want an enclosed tram!
Then the second night saw Glasgow 22, London County Council 106, Blackpool 236 and Sheffield 510 in service.
The National Tramway Museum will reopen on Saturday 13th March 2027.
A nice long queue of visitors wait to board trams at Town End with Glasgow 22 and Leeds 399 waiting.
Sheffield 510 heads off up the line and passes London Transport 1622 and Blackpool 236 at Stephenson Place.
Glasgow 22 and its external illuminations are seen here at Stephenson Place.
Leeds 399 comes under Bowes Lyon Bridge on its way back to Town End.
Part of the Enchanted Lantern Trail.
Blackpool 236 has just gone under the bridge and now carries on down to Town End. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 7th November 2026)
- We will have more photos from the event in a future main site update of British Trams Online.
- A video from Steven Hughes of the first day of the event can also be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/SpCQLHiCNe0?si=ZXJ9GvOOCUB3ucTn