A Visit To Crich Tramway Village (Home of The National Tramway Museum)
Published On Thursday 15 Sep 2022 by Sticky Beak
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Sometimes an invite comes through that is just too good to pass up, even when there isn’t strictly food involved! One such invite was from the lovely Amanda Blair, Crich Tramway Village (home to the National Tramway Museum)’s Marketing Manager; would we like to go along to their press day to see some of their recently restored Trams and get the opportunity to drive one? I don’t mind admitting that I let loose a squeal of delight at the chance to do this - I love the Trams and how often do you get invited to drive one?!
There’s no shortage of on-site parking, so having popped the jalopy into a spot we ambled over to the entrance where Amanda and Dr Mike Galer, the General Manager of CTV, were greeting the press guests that had already arrived. When everyone had assembled we were taken for welcome refreshments and given a brief outline of how the morning would play out. Kate Watts and Graeme Wigglesworth (Curator and Engineering Manager at CTV respectively) gave us some information on current- and recently completed- restoration projects and said that we could have a look around the workshops if we so chose, after lunch. Karen Rigg, the Tramway Museum Society Chairman, and Bob Pennyfather, the society’s president joined us, providing even more insight into the day-to-day running of the site.
As you may expect, these projects cost money (one project alone, London County Council No.1 ‘Bluebird’, will come in at about £500,000!!) and CTV is always looking for funding; other non-tram projects are ‘sponsor a traction pole’ and ‘sponsor a mobile working at height platform’. All the gate monies from entry fees go straight back into the museum, but any donations above and beyond this are very gratefully received. I should just point out that the entry ticket fee provides excellent value for money because, once purchased, you can use it for the whole year! We used to take Fledge here several times per season and take a picnic with us to enjoy on the beautiful Woodland Trail; I miss those days when she was a mere Chick.
I have always appreciated these vehicles for their beauty and realised that a lot of work goes into restoring them, but I never realised just how much!! Sometimes just bringing a Tram to the museum takes a lot of team-work, especially if one is coming from abroad or from a far corner of the UK. The stories of where some of these beautiful Trams came from are fascinating – one was used for a while as a garden room, then a shed and then finally as a chicken house!
It isn’t just the mechanics that need work on, and there’s a specialist chap who researches the colours/liveries of each Tram and then painstakingly paints them back to pristine condition, sometimes with the addition of period adverts on their sides. When you get up close you get to admire the skill and effort (not to mention time!) that goes into bringing these beauties back to glory.
The moment for us to board the vintage Tram ‘Liverpool 869’ (a gorgeous shade of green) had arrived and Ian Rigg was instructing us, with Becky Pennyfather being the Guard. After briefly explaining the mechanics of how the Tram is powered and moves, Ian unlocked the box and showed us the workings – with 550volts in the mix, none of us got too close, funnily enough! With the safety talk completed, I stepped up and got my eager mitts on the controls of Liverpool 869; Ian even brought out the removable seat for me to perch on, bless him.
My foot hit the signal bell ‘dink dink’, Becky replied, I confirmed and then it was time to actually let the girl go - for some reason the tram was female to me – and Ian and the rest of the group put their lives in my hands (fools!). Now, it wasn’t smooth or pretty, especially my braking (!), but I was having the time of my life. The craziest thing is that I only got up to about 16mph but it felt like 60mph to me and I kept asking Ian if everything it was ok? That gent has the patience of a saint, I tell you! It isn’t a case of ‘just go’ because going out of the centre is uphill, so you have to adjust the power you’re using AND be mindful of pedestrians and what the other trams out on the line are doing.
We didn’t go right to the end of the track due to there being an incident, and this is where you really get an understanding of the amount of training that needs to be done for if things break down - and remember that CTV’s Tram crew are all volunteers. Coming back was His Nibs’ turn at the wheels and, though it galls me to say so, his driving was as smooth as silk. We all had a turn behind Liverpool 869’s controls, firing questions at Ian, Becky and Kate the Curator whilst other guests were driving.
Concentrating is hungry work so the sight of the finger buffet spread that awaited us upstairs in the Red Lion pub onsite was most welcome. All the sandwiches were fresh, the bread soft and bouncy and crammed with morsels such as Ham, Cheese, and Tuna and Cucumber; pickles were on the side if you wanted to jazz up the sandwiches to your own taste. Bowls of freshly cooked chips were passed down the table, as well as bags of crisps, cakes and fresh fruit, and soon a semi-silence descended as we tucked in, punctuated by conversation and questions.
Some folks had to leave after lunch, having had longer journeys than The Man and I, but we stayed and took the opportunity to go into the museum and admire the static Trams on display. Earlier in the day when I’d been bending Dr Mike’s ear, he mentioned the ‘palace’ Tram, regaling me with details of its luxury and I asked if it would be possible to actually have a look inside. Ian and Becky very kindly took His Nibs and I back to the shed and we boarded this exquisite beauty, taking in the tasselled curtains and engraved glass lights. There was originally carpet on the floor too (yep, really!) and even the ventilation was hidden behind decorated screens – no plain, ugly windows for the moneyed classes back in the day here y’know. Going on to the upper deck gave me an insight into how slim the ladies and gents were; not only were the steps up narrow, so were the wooden seats; I know I’m not the sveltest person you’ll ever meet, but I only just got my derriere on the seat, never mind my legs!
Bidding Ian and Becky farewell, we headed over to the Tea Rooms for another cuppa and then stopped in the old fashioned sweet shop (I bought Mummy Bird a pink sugar mouse) before having another couple of Tram rides – told you I love this place. It’s mainly about the Trams, but not entirely; the team at CTV go to great lengths to ensure their visitors have as authentic an experience as possible and to this end have assembled street lights from the early 20th century and the blue ‘Tardis’ looking Police Call Box. This call box (much loved by everyone who sees it) is actually made from concrete; it’s only the doors that are wooden, and the entire structure has Grade II listed status!
Another new feature is the authentic Cabmen’s hut. These buildings were constructed as places where the horse-drawn cabmen could not only cook meals for themselves, get warm and have refreshment; they could also provide fresh water for their horses and dry out their rugs in winter when they got wet. Whilst the stove in this particular hut is faux (with smells provided!), back in the day there would actually have been a coal and wood burning stove to cook on.
Heading home, The Man Bird and I couldn’t stop talking about what a fantastic experience we’d had; we were like kids again!
If you, or someone you know, loves Trams and would like the chance to get behind the controls of one of these restored vintage beauties then allow me to make your day and tell you that you can! Crich Tramway Village will be offering ‘Tram Driver’ day experiences (including lunch) next season in 2023 when they re-open. You have your own driver to instruct you and can spend the entire day taking your tram up and down the track, and your family can be your passengers – ideal if it is to celebrate a special birthday or occasion, don’t you agree? If this sounds up your street (or on your track) then get in touch with the team via email at enquiry@tramway.co.uk
For more details on current opening times and current projects then visit the website www.tramway.co.uk Massive, massive thanks to Amanda for inviting us along to the event, and also thanks to the entire Crich Tramway Village team (volunteers and staff) for making it such an incredible day. Even though we didn’t review food per se (though the buffet lunch was delicious, I have to say), I’m using my bloggers privilege and awarding Hot Wings to this wonderful Derbyshire venue!
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