Tramcars of the National Tramway Museum
Encyclopedia
The National Tramway Museum
in Crich
, Derbyshire
, has a large and diverse fleet of heritage tramcar
s, and aims to illustrate the complete development of the traditional British Tramcar. Where it is not possible to show this, tramcars from places as far away as Berlin
, the Hague
, Douglas
, Halle
, Howth
, Johannesburg
, New York
, Oporto, Prague
and Sydney
have been acquired to show this. The majority of the trams at Crich are double-deck trams built between 1900 and 1930, and several have open tops. There are a few trams in the collection that were built after WWII, and these give an idea of how the British Tram Industry may have developed if services had not declined.
About vehicles are currently in operational condition, with more on display or being restored.
Every operating day, the museum selects between two and four trams and operates them over its line to Glory Mine, via Wakebridge. In addition, there is a 1969 Berlin Tram that has been converted into an "Access Tram", which allows the less able to travel over the line.
Southampton 45 was the very first tramcar to be preserved by the Tramway Museum Society, purchased for just £10 in 1949, after the closing ceremony of the Southampton Corporation.
, however the exact date is unknown.
This tram was the one that started the whole preservation movement, being bought by enthusiasts for just £10 in 1949. However, there was no National Tramway Museum in 1949, and so the tram travelled the country staying at many locations, including Marton Depot in Blackpool
, and the National Motor Museum
at Beaulieu in Hampshire. Whilst it was at Beaulieu, Newcastle 102 was also there, and together they formed an open air display, before heading to Crich in 1960.
People often comment that the tram looks out of proportion: this is because it had to pass under the Mediaeval Bargate Arch in Southampton, and a normal tram wouldn't have fit under it without colliding. It also has knifeboard seating on the top deck for this reason.
Southampton 45 still runs to this day, and is a popular fine-weather service car.
106 was originally an open-topped tram with reversed stairs. There were 22 seats downstairs and a further 34 upstairs. The body is of a timber construction with steel strengthening. By 1906, the reversed stairs had been altered to direct ones, and in 1911 it was rebuilt with a fully enclosed top deck. It used the conduit style of pickup, with the skate underneath the centre of the truck, in its original state, before being converted to trolley pole when it became a snow broom.
It was withdrawn from passenger service in 1925, and was converted into snowbroom No. 022 in 1927, by removing the top deck, fitting brushes under the platforms and increasing the power of the motors. It last saw active service in this state in April 1952.
After escaping the scrapyard, 106 spent many years in storage, and the London County Council Tramways Trust began its restoration in 1970, at their Bonwell Street workshop in East London. It took 13 years to return it to service, when it was launched at Crich Tramway Village on 15 May 1983, 80 years to the day after the opening of the London County Council electric tramway to Tooting. The tram has since covered in excess of 10000 miles (16,093.4 km) in passenger service.It has been restored to represent one of 8 B/4 class cars with an open top and trolley mast. It is currently out of service awaiting overhaul.
Leeds 180 was built in 1931 by Brush, and is often referred to as either a Horsfield or Showboat tramcar (the latter due to the extraordinary amount of lighting on the tram).
It is currently in a Red and White Livery, with various advertisements, and it is currently in operational condition after an overhaul in 2009.
Leeds 399 was built at Leeds Kirkstall Works, and entered service in 1925.
Leeds 399 was the second passenger tram to arrive at Crich (being superseded only by Cardiff 131 a works car, and Leeds 345), however it faced a lengthy restoration, returning only to service in 1991. It is fitted with a trolley pole, without a rope, meaning that it can use trolley reversers at the termini. It is currently in the operational pool, after undergoing remedial work to the exterior paintwork.
, and the other being at the East Anglian Transport Museum.
It entered service on 1 June 1953, and was built by Bus Manufacturer Charles H. Roe. Leeds 602 was withdrawn at the last ever "close of play" in 1957. The design of 602 owes a lot to the Glasgow Cunarders and Coronations, because the General Manager of Leeds at the time was A.B.Findlay, who did at one stage produce drawings of a single-decker Cunarder. Findlay used these ideas to build two identical prototypes (601 and 602), and Leeds 602 was fitted with VAMBAC equipment under the Bow Collector. In addition, all its fittings are electrical, making it a very complicated tram.
602's service life was spent working the Hunslet Route around leeds - the blind for which can be seen in the picture - and it was here until the end of its working life, when it was acquired for preservation at the National Tramway Museum. Leeds 601 was also preserved, but was destroyed soon after in an arson attack.
Once at Crich it was used in service between 1967 and 1972, before its first workshop attention in 1973. It saw further used in 1974-5, and returned to the workshop in 1977. It was back in the fleet for the 1979-80 seasons, before having a third bout of workshop attention in 1986. Following this it had a longer operational life in 1987-1995, but it was finally withdrawn due to the discovery of a leaking roof. It was resurrected on a limited-use basis for the Tramathon in 2003, and then it was withdrawn to have attention to its leaky roof. This was finally fixed, and a long-needed repaint was undertaken. It returned for the Tramathon and Enthusiast's Day in 2005, and was used for 6 days in 2006. One of which was the enthusiast's day, which allowed the opportunity to ride both a bus and tram built by Charles H. Roe. The tram has not been used since, and now languishes in the depot next to Halle 902.
National Tramway Museum
The National Tramway Museum, at Crich, in Derbyshire, England, is situated within Crich Tramway Village, a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop, including the tram depots. The village is also home to the Eagle Press, a small museum dedicated to Letterpress Printing including...
in Crich
Crich
Crich is a village in Derbyshire in England. It has the National Tramway Museum inside the Crich Tramway Village, and at the summit of Crich Hill above, a Memorial Tower for those of the Sherwood Foresters regiment who died in battle, particularly in World War I.Built in 1923 on the site of an...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, has a large and diverse fleet of heritage tramcar
Tramcar
The Tramcar is a trackless train service running on the Boardwalk in the Cape May County, New Jersey communities of Wildwood and North Wildwood. The service, which began on June 11, 1949, takes passengers along the two-mile long Wildwood boardwalk...
s, and aims to illustrate the complete development of the traditional British Tramcar. Where it is not possible to show this, tramcars from places as far away as Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, the Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
, Halle
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
, Howth
Hill of Howth Tramway
Colloquially known as the Howth Tram, this tramway operated from June 1901 to June 1959 and served Howth Head, near Dublin, Ireland. The service was run by the Great Northern Railway , which viewed it as a way to bring more customers to its railway stations at Sutton and Howth.-Route:Electric...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Oporto, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
have been acquired to show this. The majority of the trams at Crich are double-deck trams built between 1900 and 1930, and several have open tops. There are a few trams in the collection that were built after WWII, and these give an idea of how the British Tram Industry may have developed if services had not declined.
About vehicles are currently in operational condition, with more on display or being restored.
Every operating day, the museum selects between two and four trams and operates them over its line to Glory Mine, via Wakebridge. In addition, there is a 1969 Berlin Tram that has been converted into an "Access Tram", which allows the less able to travel over the line.
Southampton 45 was the very first tramcar to be preserved by the Tramway Museum Society, purchased for just £10 in 1949, after the closing ceremony of the Southampton Corporation.
- The steam tram engine John Bull has an intriguing past - it is rumoured to have fallen into the sea on its way from New South Wales to Manchester; it disappeared in Sydney; and re-surfaced in 1980.
- Sheffield Tram No. 510, entered service in 1950 and was withdrawn, still almost brand-new, when the city's tram system closed in 1960. This tram has in fact now done more years at the museum than it did in Sheffield.
- When made redundant, Blackpool Tram No. 166 was commandeered by the BBC, along with its sister No. 165, as an outside broadcast unit. Many seats were removed, and cameras and recording gear were mounted, to allow the illuminations to be filmed - the already congested promenade could not take any more traffic, ruling out conventional outside broadcast units.
- Prague No. 180 had more press coverage than the rest of the fleet put together. This is because when it was transported to Crich, it was running just ahead of the "Iron curtainIron CurtainThe concept of the Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological fighting and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1989...
" of communist occupation. It became a symbol of the plight of the country. It was restored by its original manufacturers, Tatra, who later made 902. - The 1904 Chesterfield tramcar No.7 has had many adventures, and some great escapes! First, it survived a depot fire which destroyed many other trams. Then, it was used as a house by Mr. Eric Cocking - who had actually travelled to school in it. Finally, the museum found the tram, and now, after restoration, it lives happily amongst the operating fleet.
- Similarly, recently restored Leeds 345 was withdrawn early due to rotten bodywork and used as a carpenters' tea shed at a Leeds depot. It was rescued by K. Terry, and for years sat at Crich. It was moved to an outside store, where later on a fire was started. When restored, parts of the lower deck ceiling were found to be singed.
- Sheffield 74 is in fact made of 3 trams. The top and bottom decks are from different Sheffield trams, and the truck from Leeds.
- London County Council 1622 was originally an open ended unrefurbished car, but was restored as an enclosed "rehab" car. Its bogies are ex Feltham.
Southampton 45
Southampton 45 was built 1903 by Hurst Nelson as an open-top double-deck tram with a 3 windowed lower saloon. At some stage it was rebuilt with canopies and 4 saloon windows by the Southampton Corporation TramwaysSouthampton Corporation Tramways
Southampton Corporation Tramways were in operation from 1879 to 1949. They were initially horse-drawn, but latterly powered by electricity.-Background:...
, however the exact date is unknown.
This tram was the one that started the whole preservation movement, being bought by enthusiasts for just £10 in 1949. However, there was no National Tramway Museum in 1949, and so the tram travelled the country staying at many locations, including Marton Depot in Blackpool
Blackpool tramway
The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as...
, and the National Motor Museum
National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum is a museum in the village of Beaulieu, set in the heart of the New Forest, in the English county of Hampshire.- History :...
at Beaulieu in Hampshire. Whilst it was at Beaulieu, Newcastle 102 was also there, and together they formed an open air display, before heading to Crich in 1960.
People often comment that the tram looks out of proportion: this is because it had to pass under the Mediaeval Bargate Arch in Southampton, and a normal tram wouldn't have fit under it without colliding. It also has knifeboard seating on the top deck for this reason.
Southampton 45 still runs to this day, and is a popular fine-weather service car.
London 106
LCCT 106 was built in April 1903, as one of 100 'B' Class Tramcars by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works, Preston, on behalf of Dick, Kerr and Company.106 was originally an open-topped tram with reversed stairs. There were 22 seats downstairs and a further 34 upstairs. The body is of a timber construction with steel strengthening. By 1906, the reversed stairs had been altered to direct ones, and in 1911 it was rebuilt with a fully enclosed top deck. It used the conduit style of pickup, with the skate underneath the centre of the truck, in its original state, before being converted to trolley pole when it became a snow broom.
It was withdrawn from passenger service in 1925, and was converted into snowbroom No. 022 in 1927, by removing the top deck, fitting brushes under the platforms and increasing the power of the motors. It last saw active service in this state in April 1952.
After escaping the scrapyard, 106 spent many years in storage, and the London County Council Tramways Trust began its restoration in 1970, at their Bonwell Street workshop in East London. It took 13 years to return it to service, when it was launched at Crich Tramway Village on 15 May 1983, 80 years to the day after the opening of the London County Council electric tramway to Tooting. The tram has since covered in excess of 10000 miles (16,093.4 km) in passenger service.It has been restored to represent one of 8 B/4 class cars with an open top and trolley mast. It is currently out of service awaiting overhaul.
Leeds 180
It is currently in a Red and White Livery, with various advertisements, and it is currently in operational condition after an overhaul in 2009.
Leeds 399
Leeds 399 was the second passenger tram to arrive at Crich (being superseded only by Cardiff 131 a works car, and Leeds 345), however it faced a lengthy restoration, returning only to service in 1991. It is fitted with a trolley pole, without a rope, meaning that it can use trolley reversers at the termini. It is currently in the operational pool, after undergoing remedial work to the exterior paintwork.
Leeds 602
Leeds 602 is one of three experimental tramcars built for Leeds City Tramways, the others being Leeds 600, and Leeds 601. The tramcar is the only vehicle at Crich to use VAMBAC (Variable Automatic Multinotch Braking and Acceleration Control), and one of only 4 in the country - 2 of which are at BlackpoolBlackpool tramway
The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as...
, and the other being at the East Anglian Transport Museum.
It entered service on 1 June 1953, and was built by Bus Manufacturer Charles H. Roe. Leeds 602 was withdrawn at the last ever "close of play" in 1957. The design of 602 owes a lot to the Glasgow Cunarders and Coronations, because the General Manager of Leeds at the time was A.B.Findlay, who did at one stage produce drawings of a single-decker Cunarder. Findlay used these ideas to build two identical prototypes (601 and 602), and Leeds 602 was fitted with VAMBAC equipment under the Bow Collector. In addition, all its fittings are electrical, making it a very complicated tram.
602's service life was spent working the Hunslet Route around leeds - the blind for which can be seen in the picture - and it was here until the end of its working life, when it was acquired for preservation at the National Tramway Museum. Leeds 601 was also preserved, but was destroyed soon after in an arson attack.
Once at Crich it was used in service between 1967 and 1972, before its first workshop attention in 1973. It saw further used in 1974-5, and returned to the workshop in 1977. It was back in the fleet for the 1979-80 seasons, before having a third bout of workshop attention in 1986. Following this it had a longer operational life in 1987-1995, but it was finally withdrawn due to the discovery of a leaking roof. It was resurrected on a limited-use basis for the Tramathon in 2003, and then it was withdrawn to have attention to its leaky roof. This was finally fixed, and a long-needed repaint was undertaken. It returned for the Tramathon and Enthusiast's Day in 2005, and was used for 6 days in 2006. One of which was the enthusiast's day, which allowed the opportunity to ride both a bus and tram built by Charles H. Roe. The tram has not been used since, and now languishes in the depot next to Halle 902.
Complete list
| Original System | Car Number | Status | Livery | Year Built | Seats | Notes |
| Derby Corporation Tramways | 1 | On Display | Green and Cream | 1896 | 45 | This tram has never run at Crich as it is to a non-standard (4 feet (1,219 mm)) gauge. It was used for crew training prior to the opening of the electrified system in Derby where it ran for 30 years. When Derby 1 was originally restored, it was done so on the standard gauge truck from the Blackpool "Gondola" illuminated car. When it was seen in Osmaston Road Depot in Derby, its wheels were in only one of the tram tracks. |
| Douglas Head Marine Drive | 1 | On Display | Crimson and Cream | 1896 | 75 | Originates from the Isle of Man Isle of Man The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is... and is the oldest tram at the museum equipped with a trolley pole Trolley pole A trolley pole is a tapered cylindrical pole of wood or metal, used to transfer electricity from a "live" overhead wire to the control and propulsion equipment of a tram or trolley bus. The use of overhead wire in a system of current collection is reputed to be the 1880 invention of Frank J.... . This tram is on long term loan from the Science Museum. |
| Leamington and Warwick | 1 | Unrestored | - | 1881 | ? | This car is on display in the Exhibition Hall and is unrestored. |
| London County Council Tramways | 1 | On Display | Red and Cream | 1932 | 66 | Currently in a red livery, it gained the name Bluebird from its attractive and distinctive livery of royal blue and white. This livery can still be seen today after numerous repaints under the red. The LCCTT has set up a fund to restore this car. |
| Blackpool and Fleetwood Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
2 | Operational | Brown and Cream | 1898 | 56 | This tram is often referred to "Rack 2" on account of its seating style. It is very similar to Blackpool 166, which was built several years later. It is also one of the ten original trams supplied to the Blackpool & Fleetwood coastal tramroad. It is the oldest operational electric tramcar at the Museum, and returned to Blackpool in 2010 for the 125th Anniversary of the tramway. |
| Blackpool Electric Tramway Company Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
4 | On Display | Orange, Green and White | 1885 | 32 | This is the oldest electric tram at Crich and used the conduit method of current collection. It was converted to a works car with a trolley pole, and restored in the 1960s. To simulate conduit running, it was fitted with a new, home-built truck powered by lead acid batteries. It ran for the 50th anniversary of the TMS, though not carrying passengers. |
| Blackpool Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
5 | In Store | Green and Cream | 1972 | ? | |
| Gateshead and District Tramways | 5 | On Display | Crimson and Cream | 1927 | 48 | Built in 1927 for Gateshead and District Tramways, it was transferred to British Rail British Rail British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages... ownership in 1951 when the Gateshead Line closed and they were transferred to the Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway The Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway was an electric tramway linking Grimsby with the port of Immingham in Lincolnshire, England.It is probably best described by the American term "interurban" as it ran on reserved track rather that through the streets.... , the same tramway that 14 originates from. |
| Chesterfield Corporation Tramways Chesterfield Tramway The Chesterfield and District Tramways Company was a tramway system in the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield.The company was formed in 1879 and began operations in 1882. Due to not achieving a measure of solvency, the company took on debts of £500 and went into liquidation.The Chesterfield Tramways... |
7 | Operational | Crimson and Yellow | 1904 | ? | This Tramcar is one of twelve built by Brush for use in Chesterfield, originally an open-topper. It is a tram with many great escapes, being found as a cottage. Restored in the 1990s. |
| Chesterfield Corporation Tramways Chesterfield Tramway The Chesterfield and District Tramways Company was a tramway system in the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield.The company was formed in 1879 and began operations in 1882. Due to not achieving a measure of solvency, the company took on debts of £500 and went into liquidation.The Chesterfield Tramways... |
8 | On Display | Cream and Blue | 1904 | 16 | Tramcar No. 8 was one of the last horse trams built for normal passenger service. It is on long term loan from the Science Museum. |
| Oporto | 9 | On Display | Yellow, White and Red | 1873 | 20 | This trailer car from Portugal is the only vehicle in the collection which has been hauled by three different forms of traction: mules, steam and electricity. It is also the oldest tram in the collection. |
| Hill of Howth Hill of Howth Tramway Colloquially known as the Howth Tram, this tramway operated from June 1901 to June 1959 and served Howth Head, near Dublin, Ireland. The service was run by the Great Northern Railway , which viewed it as a way to bring more customers to its railway stations at Sutton and Howth.-Route:Electric... |
10 | On Display | Brown | 1902 | 73 | This tram operated on a short but scenic route north of Dublin and is the only Irish car in the collection at Crich. |
| Grimsby and Immingham Light Railway Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway The Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway was an electric tramway linking Grimsby with the port of Immingham in Lincolnshire, England.It is probably best described by the American term "interurban" as it ran on reserved track rather that through the streets.... |
14 | On Display | Green | 1915 | 72 | When the Great Central Railway laid the Grimsby and Immingham Line, they needed some traction. This was the result. |
| Sheffield Corporation Tramways | 15 | Operational | Red and Cream | 1874 | 16 | Number 15 holds quite a special place in the Museum's Collection - it was the first tram to operate in 1963, before the overhead wires were functional. It is also the museum's sole operable horse tram, and operates only on the Edwardian Weekend once a year, with appropriate motive power. |
| Cardiff Tramways | 21 | On Display | Yellow | ? | ? | This is a double deck horse car. It is on temporary loan to the Museum. |
| Dundee and District Tramways | 21 | On Display | Green and White | 1894 | 66 | This is a steam tram trailer, being towed instead of powered. |
| Glasgow | 22 | Operational | Orange, Crimson and Cream | 1922 | 62 | Built in 1922 and withdrawn from active service at the end of 1960. Operated nearly four thousand miles at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. |
| City and Royal Burgh of Edinburgh | 35 | On Display | Madder and Cream | 1948 | 62 | This tram has operated in Edinburgh, Blackpool and Glasgow Garden Festival before being displayed at Crich. This tramcar was transferred to TMS ownership in June 2008. |
| Blackpool and Fleetwood Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
40 | On Loan to Blackpool tramway Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
Teak and Cream | 1914 | 44 | This tram is currently on loan to Blackpool Transport, where it occasionally operates on the promenade. |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
40 | Operational | Red, White and Teak | 1926 | 78 | This was the last open balcony tram to operate in Great Britain, and sees regular service on the short Museum line. |
| Southampton Corporation Tramways Southampton Corporation Tramways Southampton Corporation Tramways were in operation from 1879 to 1949. They were initially horse-drawn, but latterly powered by electricity.-Background:... |
45 | Operational | Red and White | 1903 | 56 | This tram was the very first tram to be acquired for the museum, and was bought for the very expensive (in those days) sum of £10. |
| Sheffield Corporation Tramways | 46 | In Store | Blue and Cream | 1899 | 22 | No. 46 was one of twelve single decker trams purchased for the opening of the electric tramways, before later being converted to a works car. It was moved into to store in 2003, along with Leeds 600 and Glasgow 1100. |
| New South Wales Government | (47) | On Display | Brown | 1885 | N/A | Steam Tram "John Bull" was loaned to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry in 2009 for an event celebrating the Anniversary of the first Beyer, Peacock steam locomotive. |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
49 | On Display | Green and Cream | 1926 | 78 | An enclosed Standard tramcar, in green and cream livery. Similar to 40. |
| Gateshead and District Tramways | 52 | In Store | ? | 1920 | 32 | This tramcar was one of the first cars acquired by the TMS. It is, however, fire damaged and its future at the museum is now not known. |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
59 | In Store | Red, White and Teak | 1902 | 93 | Called a "Dreadnought" car - last of its kind. |
| Johannesburg | 60 | Operational | Red and Cream | 1905 | 62 | This tram has bi-lingual signs in both Afrikaans and English, and was one of many built in the UK for export to all corners of the British Empire. It has also starred in many TV and Film productions. |
| Paisley and District Tramways | 68 | On Display | Red and Cream | 1919 | 63 | When the Glasgow Corporation took over Paisley's Tramway, this car gained an enclosed top and the number 1068 - but the Scottish Tramway Museum Society saved it and returned it to its former glory. When rebuilt at Glasgow it was given larger motors, which it retains. Withdrawn from Crich service in 2009. |
| Sheffield Corporation Tramways | 74 | Operational | Blue and Cream | 1900 | 52 | After being sold to Gateshead, where it ran in much modified form until that system closed, Sheffield 74's lower deck survived as a suburban garden shed in the town. During its restoration at Crich it was fitted with an Edwardian Sheffield top deck. |
| Leicester City Tramways | 76 | On Display | Brown and Cream | 1904 | 56 | This Tramcar was originally built as an open top car, but was fitted with a roof shortly after the First World War. A second rebuilding resulted in the car gaining a totally enclosed saloon on the top deck and vestibules on each platform. It was discovered on a farm near Snaith in Yorkshire, and has been restored to its 1920s condition. It was the first tram to be restored on site. |
| Manchester, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Steam Tramway | 84 | In Store | ? | 1886 | N/A | It is a Wilkinson Patent Vertical Boiler Steam tram built by Beyer Peacock in 1886, running until 1905 when it went to a foundry in Wigan until 1954. It has recently been given to the NTM from the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. It is one of two Wilkinson Patent Vertical Steam Boilers, the other being "John Bull". |
| Newcastle Corporation Tramways | 102 | On Display | Black, Yellow and White | 1901 | 84 | This Tram has the second largest seating capacity at Crich, being beaten only by Blackpool 59, a very similar tram, and as a result was often seem taking Dockers to work in its home town. This tram was originally a single-decker, as can be seen with the cramped platforms where staircases were squashed in. |
| London County Council Tramways | 106 | On Display | Cream and Crimson | 1903 | 57 | The first tram restored by the LCCTT, this made its inaugural run at Crich exactly 80 years after its original line opened. Originally had conduit pickup. Now awaiting overhaul. |
| Cardiff Corporation Tramways | 131 | Operational | Red and White | 1905 | 0 | Purpose-built water carrier and rail grinder. The very first tram to arrive at Crich, it was restored to its former glory for the 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2009 and is now in use as a water car and as a driver training vehicle. |
| Kingston-upon-Hull | 132 | On loan to Hull Museum of Transport Streetlife museum of transport The Streetlife Museum of Transport is a transport museum located in Kingston upon Hull, England. The roots of the collection date back to the early 20th century, however the purpose-built museum the collection is housed in was opened in 1989 by the then Hull East MP, John Prescott... |
? | 1910 | 62 | - |
| London United Tramways | 159 | Under Restoration | Blue and White | 1901 | 69 | Restoration for this particular tramcar is being funded by the London County Council Tramways Trust. |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
166 | Operational | Red and White | 1927 | 64 | Known as a "toastrack" car, this was once used by the BBC as an outside broadcast vehicle. Given a slight repaint and underwent repairs in 2010/11. |
| Nottingham Corporation Tramways Nottingham Corporation Tramways Nottingham Corporation Tramways was formed when Nottingham Corporation took over the Nottingham and District Tramways Company Limited, which had operated a horse and steam tram service from 1877.-1898 - Planning:... |
166 | In Store | ? | 1920 | ? | The third Nottingham tram (others being 121 and 92) to be acquired by the Museum |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport | 167 | Operational | Green and Cream | 1928 | 52 | This was the first of 10 single deck cars built to operate the Blackpool and Fleetwood inter-urban tramway. Awaiting repairs to one bogie. |
| Leeds City Transport | 180 | Operational | Red and Cream | 1931 | 60 | These trams were known as "Showboats" or "Horsfield" when they first entered service. Returned to Crich service in 2010. |
| Prague City Tramways | 180 | On Display | Red and White | 1905 | 24 | Made a dramatic journey from Czechoslovakia just as Soviet Tanks and Warsaw Pact Troops were advancing to seal the border. |
| Sheffield Corporation Tramways | 189 | On Display | Blue and Cream | 1934 | 61 | This is the only surviving example of Sheffield's Standard Cars. |
| Sheffield Transport Department | 264 | On Display | Cream and Blue | 1937 | 61 | This is the only surviving example of the rebuilt Standard Cars, known as Dome roof cars. |
| Oporto | 273 | On Display | Ochre and White | 1927 | ? | This tram represents the type of design used in countries with hot climates. The side windows can be slid into the roof, making the tram open sided and allowing the passengers greater comfort. The restoration of this tram was done with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Lottery Fund The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage... , and has received an award from the Heritage Railway Association Heritage Railway Association The Heritage Railways Association is an umbrella organisation representing the majority of the heritage and tourist railways, railway museums, steam centres and railway preservation groups in the UK and Ireland.... . |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport Blackpool tramway The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as... |
298 | Unrestored | Green and Cream (when restored) | 1937 | ? | Awaiting restoration when funds and workshop space allow. |
| Sheffield Transport Department | 330 | On Display | Blue | 1919 | N/A | Originally a 4 ft (1.2 m) gauge Bradford double decker, bought by Sheffield during WW2 to replace bombed trams. Converted to water carrying car/rail grinder. |
| Metropolitan Electric Tramways | 331 | Operational | Red and White | 1930 | 70 | Feltham prototype, with centre entrance doors instead of end doors. This did not suit London's conduit system, so it was sold to Sunderland in 1936 to become No.100. Restored funded by British Steel, and appeared in a BS blue livery at Gateshead garden Festival in 1990. Known by enthusiasts and staff as MET 331, or by its original name of "Cissie". |
| Leeds City Tramways | 345 | Under Overhaul | Blue and White | 1921 | 62 | A Leeds enclosed double decker. Withdrawn early due to poor bodywork, was used as a carpenters tea shed at a Leeds depot. One of the first cars at Crich. Undergoing overhaul. |
| Leeds City Tramways | 399 | Operational | Brown, Yellow and White | 1926 | 70 | A Leeds "Hamilton Air-brake" car. The second tram to arrive at Crich, it underwent a lengthy restoration, returning to service only in 1990, and then repaired and returned again to service in 2011. |
| Sheffield Transport Department | 510 | On Display | Cream and Blue | 1950 | 62 | A Roberts car, believed to have done more mileage at Crich than in service. It carries a special "Last Tram" livery, and, along with its sister 513 at Lowestoft East Anglia Transport Museum The East Anglia Transport Museum is an open air transport museum, with numerous historic public transport vehicles . It is located in Carlton Colville a suburb of Lowestoft, Suffolk... , took part in the farewell celebrations. It is due to enter the workshops for overhaul in 2012. |
| Leeds Corporation Transport | 600 | In Store | Red and White | 1930 | 34 | This car became one of three experimental cars in 1954. The others were 601 and 602. |
| Leeds City Transport | 602 | On Display | Purple and White | 1953 | 34 | One of three experimental tramcars, the others being 600 and 601. 602 is the only tramcar at the museum to use VAMBAC. It is identical to 601 with the exception of livery and control system, 601 using EP. 601 was preserved, but was destroyed in an Arson attack. |
| New York 3rd Avenue Transit | 674 | On Display | Cream and Red | 1939 | 48 | No. 674 is the only American tram in the collection at Crich. It was also sent to Vienna after World War 2. |
| Blackpool Corporation Transport | 717 | Operational | Green | 1927 | N/A | Electric works locomotive. In regular use as a shunting vehicle. |
| Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways were formerly one of the largest urban tramway systems in Europe. Over 1000 municipally-owned trams served the city of Glasgow, Scotland with over 100 route miles by 1922... |
812 | Operational | Orange, Yellow and Brown | 1900 | 59 | Built in 1900 as an open top tram, 812 acquired a top cover with open balconies ten years later and platform vestibules within a further two years. |
| Liverpool Corporation Passenger Transport | 869 | Limited Use - Driver Training | Green and White | 1936 | 78 | 869 was sold to Glasgow in 1954, withdrawn in 1960. It is often referred to as the "Green Goddess". Awaiting overhaul, though still used for driver training and the "Ultimate Driving Experience" |
| Halle | 902 | On Display | Red and Cream | 1969 | 26 | This tram is from Halle near Leipzig in East Germany. Acquired with the purpose of becoming a second Access Tram, but this proved impossible, so its fate is unknown. |
| Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways were formerly one of the largest urban tramway systems in Europe. Over 1000 municipally-owned trams served the city of Glasgow, Scotland with over 100 route miles by 1922... |
1100 | In Store | Orange, Green and Cream | 1928 | 69 | An attempt at modernising old trams to look like Glasgow's new streamliners (like 1282 and 1297), known as the Horrornation due to extreme ugliness. Unusually, it has EP controller but only 2 motors. |
| Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways Glasgow Corporation Tramways were formerly one of the largest urban tramway systems in Europe. Over 1000 municipally-owned trams served the city of Glasgow, Scotland with over 100 route miles by 1922... |
1115 | On Display | Orange, Cream and Red | 1929 | 68 | Kilmarnock Bogie. The upgrade to 812. |
| Den Haag | 1147 | On Display | Cream and Green | 1957 | 36 | A European styled example of a USA design classic PCC (Presidents Conference Committee) car built under licence by La Brugeoise, Belgium in 1957. It is single ended, and its control gear was copied by the Tatra T3 type Trams. |
| Glasgow Corporation Transport | 1282 | On Display | Orange, Cream and Green | 1940 | 64 | A Glasgow "Coronation" streamliner, 1282 ran in the closing procession in 1962. |
| Glasgow Corporation Transport | 1297 | On Display | Orange, Cream and Green | 1948 | 70 | A Glasgow "Cunarder" streamliner, 1297 also ran in the closing procession in 1962. |
| London Passenger Transport Board | 1622 | Operational | Red and White | 1912 | 73 | Represents the "rehabilitated" E1 London trams of the 1930s. |
| Berlin | 3006 | Under Overhaul | Orange and White (soon to be Cream) | 1969 | 16 + 4 Wheelchairs | This is the museum's Access Tram and has been specially adapted to carry wheelchairs. It has been running at Crich most days of the season from 1997 until 2011, so a major overhaul was needed. Withdrawn and taken directly to the workshop in September 2011, it is hoped that it will return to service by Easter 2012 in a more fitting cream livery. |
| London Tramways Co. | ? | In Store | - | c1985 | ? | The Curry Rivel Horse Car was transferred to Clay Cross in February 2005. |