As previously reported, the next restoration project for the workshop at Crich Tramway Village is Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298, which now needs to be brought back to the Crich Tramway Workshop from our store, ready to fit the new underframe due to be received from The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Whilst we transfer the body onto its new underframe, this will take up a lot of space!
Re-organisation of trams in the main Crich depots is required to accommodate this as well as those that are now in the final stages of restoration, including LCC1 (Bluebird), Newcastle 102 and London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) 1622.
Blackpool 298
Newcastle 102 & LCC1 – photo courtesy M. Crabtree
In addition, Cardiff Horsecar No. 21, which has been on loan to Crich for around 12 years, will be returned to The National Museum of Wales, and Halle 902 will also be going into store after spending some time on loan in Blackpool.
All these tramcar moves have provided an opportunity to refresh the display in the Exhibition Hall too. Proposals were developed in October 2020 with the museum Curator, General Manager and our Workshop Engineers, which requires Derby 1 to be removed and taken to off-site storage. It was a long process, but Derby 1 was decided upon as the best option, given the restricted height and length of space available in the off-site store precluding many other vehicles.
Derby 1 – photo courtesy D. Heeley
Cardiff Horsecar No. 21
The result will be a fresh display in the Exhibition Hall, enabling our recent acquisition, the 1913 Barnsley & District Combination Car, to be displayed in the centre and tramcars Gateshead 5 and Southampton 45 to be more easily viewed.
Prior to Cardiff 21 and Derby 1 departing Crich, we intend to display them outside the depots for photographic opportunities, on Sunday 2nd May 2021 from 11am – 3.30pm (weather permitting).
Workshop Co-ordinator and Duty Engineer, Dan Heeley said:
“The Vehicle Movement Plan was made after diligent consideration of the best moves possible for tram conditions, restoration and ultimately new and better displays for our visitors.
After a difficult year in 2020, it is important that we move forward with restoration, for which we have received funds and assistance from our partners, including the Blackpool Railcoach Fund and The Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation for Blackpool 298.”
Crich Tramway Village is currently open for outside spaces, and following the government’s Covid-19 guidance, intends to open the indoor exhibition spaces and tram depots from 17th May 2021.
Barnsley & District Combination Car
Southampton 45