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

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Saturday 21st April

Saturday saw a major move around in the Workshop in preparation for the arrival of the Blackpool Boat Car 236 - resulting in this unusual view of an empty Workshop.



Blackpool 762 is seen here being shunted. The front skirts that were removed for transportation have now been refitted.


Whilst the move was taking place, LUT 159 was stored in the main depot for the first time.



A last view of Paisley 68. It is now in the Workshop for repainting as Glasgow 1068, kindly sponsored by the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society.




Monday 23 April 2012

The Arrival of Blackpool 236 Boat Car

Blackpool 236 arrived at Crich this afternoon and is pictured here being unloaded by the Workshop team with assistance from Scotts Heavy Haulage.



















The Official launch of Blackpool 630

We are pleased to announce that the official launch of Blackpool 630 will be on Saturday 12th May. The day will have a Brush theme and we hope to have all other available Brush cars at Crich in service.


Tickets will go on sale this week for the first ride on 630 on the 12th May. Please check our website http://www.tramway.co.uk/ for further details.

Blackpool 236 trip to Crich


Blackpool 'Boat' on the way to Crich on M61 in South Lancashire.


Swinging out of Lytham Road


Blackpool Boat Car 236 being loaded in Blackpool ready for its journey to Crich.







Wednesday 18 April 2012

Boat Car 236 continued

Further pictures of Blackpool 236 Boat Car on its first test run on Tuesday 17th April.





Part of the team who have worked on the restoration of our Boat car in Blackpool.

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Boat Car 236 at Blackpool

An exclusive picture of the Museum's Boat Car on its first test run in Blackpool. More pictures to follow.




Photograph kindly supplied by Andrew Bailey

Thursday 12 April 2012

New Red Phone Box

To add a ‘street’ feel to the newly renovated Band Stand area, a traditional red cast iron phone box has been situated opposite. We hope to have the official opening of the Band Stand area and a celebration of the Band Stand's 100 year anniversary over our Edwardian Weekend. It is intended that the whole area will continue to be developed in the future.




Friday 6 April 2012

Museum Open!

We are pleased to announce that the Museum is open as normal.

Opening times are 10am to 5:30pm with last admissions at 4pm.

Admission prices are Adults £12 (£13), Seniors £9.50 (£10.50) and Children £7 (£8.00). A family ticket for 2 Adults and up to 3 Children is £35.00 (£39.00)

Prices in brackets are for our premier events.

This Sunday 8th and Monday 9th April is our 1940s Weekend

You can expect air-raid warnings and the sound of low flying aircraft and you will need your identity card for a real taste of life during the Second World War.

Policemen and members of the Home Guard will be patrolling the period streets and visitors must always be ready to show their identity card or risk being arrested as a spy! Beware the spivs selling black market goods and watch out for unexploded bombs. However the trusty ARP will be on hand to deal with any incidents including the incendiary bombs. The Red Lion public house will be serving drinks and wartime styled meals.



Historic wartime road vehicles will be on show and on the move, mingling with a range of vintage trams which visitors will be able to ride on as often as they like. Some trams will have blackout masks fitted along with anti-blast netting on the windows, blue coloured lamps and white steps. The indicator blinds will be blacked out too so as to confuse any enemy spies. Wartime songs will be belted out by an authentic concert party throughout the weekend.



We are offering free entry to serving Armed Forces Personnel and their partners at our Easter 1940s Weekend on production of an identity card. HM Forces Veterans (any era) are also admitted free of charge when pre-booked. Please contact Museum for details.

Thursday 5 April 2012

Aftermath of the snow

 In spite of having a tree management programme in progress for over 3 years, mother nature has surprised us again. The offending branches have now been safely removed.


Picture from Glory Mine this morning where there was still 4 inches of snow.


131 at Starr Gate Depot

Here are some pictures of Cardiff 131 in the Starr Gate Depot while on its visit to Blackpool earlier this year.



Photographs kindly supplied by Andrew Bailey with permission from Blackpool Transport Services

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Museum closed due to snow

After a snowy start to the year which resulted in the Museum unable to open in February half term, we have again had to close due to snow. Here are some pictures taken this morning.