Welcome to Crich Tramway Village News, where you'll find all the latest news and information from the National Tramway Museum.

Friday 23 December 2011

Arrival of Blackpool 630 at Crich

 The Blackpool 'brush' car 630 arrived at Crich on Thursday 22nd of December.






In the Workshop along side Blackpool 762


Thank you to Jack Gordon for supplying the photographs http://www.tramways-monthly.com/

Thursday 22 December 2011

Blackpool 'brush' tramcar 630

The National Tramway Museum has taken delivery of the Blackpool 'brush' tramcar 630. The tram has had some bodywork repairs undertaken and has been fully repainted by Blackpool Transport before being dispatched to Crich.



Blackpool 'Brush' car loaded on to Scotts transporter ready to depart from Blackpool Transports Rigby Road Depot, with Blackpool Tower in the background.


Blackpool 630 on the way to Crich, on the outskirts of Blackpool it was necessary to avoid low hanging traffic lights by driving around the end of its bracket arm!

Blackpool 630 waits patiently in the lay just north of Preston, waiting for a police escort though the centre of the round about under M55 Jct 1, this was necessary as the height of the tram with its tower in place exceeds  16ft 6 inches and therefore is considered to be an out of gauge load.


Blackpool 630 passing under the M55 on the special private gated 'high load' road that has lowered section in the centre of the round about.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 21st December 2011.





Friday 16 December 2011

Bandstand Project

The photographs show the latest process on the development around the Bandstand


Thursday 15 December 2011

A Day at the Trams

Here is a poem we received from Isobel and her Grandparents Brian and Judy. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to share it.

A Day at the Trams


Trams from here and trams from there,
And trams from countries everywhere.
Trams from the seaside, trams from the city.
When gentlemen more suits and hats,
And the ladies dressed so pretty.

You can race up the stairs to get the best place,
Sit on the balcony and get lots of space.
You can wave to the people and they wave back,
As the tram rattles and rumbles to the end of the track.

The trams were electric, horse drawn or steam,
Get your tickets ready! The conductors here with the machine.
When the tram reaches the end of the track, stand up! Shouts the conductor, and turn your seats back.

When we arrive at the last stop, Isobel jumps off the tram and runs to the shop.
She gets out her purse, and has a look round,
Two bouncy balls at 50p each, that just makes a pound.

Then we go for fish and chips, or sometimes just a bun.
So ends a day of laughter, and lots and lots of fun.

Fire Marshall Training

Staff and Volunteers took part in Fire Marshall Training on Sunday 11th and Wednesday 14th of December. Here are some photographs of practical demonstrations.






Thursday 8 December 2011

The Sandford Award

The Museum is delighted to announce it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education from the Heritage Education Trust. The Awards Ceremony was held on Wednesday 30th of November in Durham Cathedral and was awarded by Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp.


 Our learning team showing off the award in the new Learning Centre opened in 2011.


The award

Monday 5 December 2011

Winter Track Work

Here are some of the latest pictures of the track work being carried out on the Glory Mine Extension. As you can see there have been a few wintery showers.


The track is now in place and being secured.


Wednesday 30 November 2011

The Golden Age of the Tram

After countless phone calls from production/film companies doing programmes about transport and just including a small part about trams, our curator Glynn Wilton has managed to persuade a company to do a whole programme about trams which is being aired on Monday 5th December on BBC 4. Timeshift: The Golden Age of Trams features film footage from the Museum, an interview with Glynn and enthusiasts Richard and Anne Wiseman. The Museum also assisted with some historical content of the programme.



Monday 28 November 2011

Glory Mine Extension Winter Work

More photographs from the work on Glory Mine Extension

Looking South from Glory Mine with the track bed clearly visable

The sleepers being moved by a JCB


A photograph taken from upon the bank of the track bed and Glory Mine Loop


The new track

Friday 25 November 2011

Glory Mine Trackwork

Progress is being made on the Glory Mine track work. The original rail and sleeper have been removed and the ground is being prepared for the new rail.




These photographs show the new rail in place and ready to be secured to the sleepers.


Monday 21 November 2011

The Band Stand

Work has started on developing the Band Stand Area. Funded by the Subscriber Plus Fund with additional funding being provided by two anonymous donations from Society members.


A wall and railings will divide the Band Stand area from the tram lines to create a park area and new pavement will be laid. The work should be completed in the New Year.



 The Bandstand will be 100 years old next year.





Tuesday 15 November 2011

Friday 11 November 2011

Anderson Shelter

Mr & Mrs Claye kindly donated the Anderson Shelter to Crich in the memory of Colin Scothern whom they knew. Colin used to manage the Gift Shop at Crich which was named after him.

The Anderson Shelter will help to create a Allotment display at Crich in the coming years, with help from external funding.

The Shelter was collected by Glynn Wilton, Bob Hall and David Anderson




Thursday 10 November 2011

Engineering Work

At the start of the closed period work has immediately started on the engineering works between Wakebridge and Glory Mine. The ex-Tramlink (Croydon) diesel powered works vehicle is seen here with the crane in use for lifting . It is preparing to transport new rail from the storage area at Cabin to the working area. The brand new rail will replace second hand used rail which was installed in 1977



Wednesday 9 November 2011

More pictures of 762s arrival

762s last trip in Blackpool on Saturday 5th of November


Covered up and ready to start its journey to Crich. A special thanks to Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society for the loan of the tarpaulin.


Off the flatbed and onto the rail


 In the shelter of the Workshop


762 arrives at Crich

The first pictures of 762 arriving at Crich



Tuesday 8 November 2011

131 arrives at Blackpool

Cardiff 131 has arrived at Blackpool. It is photographed here in the Starr Gate Depot.

Monday 7 November 2011

Cardiff 131 on its way to Blackpool

Cardiff 131 at the start of its 4 hour journey to Blackpool. The water car is on loan to Blackpool to assist with rail cleaning.

Tuesday 1 November 2011