Restoration and Revival: The Journey of Crich Tramway’s Coffee Van!
Crich Tramway Village is steeped in history, known for its incredible tram restorations and dedication to preserving the past. This time, however, it’s not just the trams taking centre stage—we’re thrilled to introduce our newly restored coffee van! A true labour of love, this vintage treasure has been transformed by the skilled hands of our engineering workshop team, and it’s ready to serve visitors with style.
The Coffee Van’s Backstory
Built in 1979 by the Albany Motor Carriage Company, our coffee van’s journey to Crich was as eventful as its restoration. Have a read of it’s Brochure below!
Discovered at the end of July, it arrived at Crich Tramway Village on 10th September. Though some work had been done prior to its arrival, there was much more to accomplish to make it fit for purpose.
What It Took to Bring the Coffee Van to Life
The restoration process was extensive and showcased the remarkable talents of our onsite workshop team, who took on this project between their tram restoration duties.
The team’s efforts included:
- A complete interior fit-out to create a welcoming and functional serving space.
- Repairs to the bodywork, including installing a brand-new rear door panel.
- Repairing and fitting the passenger door to ensure safe access.
- Modifying the serving hatch for ease of use.
- Installing internal electrics and plumbing to support catering needs.
- Hand-painting the entire exterior, bringing its vintage charm to life.
- Installing catering equipment to provide delicious refreshments to visitors.
The result? A beautifully restored coffee van that not only serves as a practical asset but also a testament to the skill and dedication of our engineering team. They truly deserve recognition for their hard work.
After a whirlwind transformation, we opened our Coffee Van serving hatch for the first time on 3rd November. We have even achieved a 5 hygiene rating!
What’s Next for the Coffee Van?
While the coffee van is now fully operational and can be towed to various locations onsite, we have exciting plans to take it further—literally! Our next goal is to service its 1.5L Triumph Spitfire engine. Once completed, the coffee van will be fully drivable, allowing it to travel around the site and even attend local events to promote Crich Tramway Village.
WE NEED YOU!
As much as we’ve loved restoring this wonderful van, we now need volunteers to help run it. This is a unique opportunity to be part of something special, serving visitors and adding to the vibrant atmosphere of Crich Tramway Village. Whether you have experience in catering or just enjoy meeting people, we’d love to have you on board. If you’re interested in volunteering to help operate the coffee van, please get in touch with us by clicking the button below. You’ll play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for our visitors while supporting a one-of-a-kind heritage project – plus you’ll look pretty cool in the cabin!