Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, is pleased to announce that following some essential safety work, the vintage trams are running again, and the museum is excited to welcome visitors, old and new, back for the summer visits.

The Derbyshire attraction has not been able to open all facilities, including tram operation, since 18th May this year, following a visit on Tuesday 17th May by an inspection team from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Two traction poles, which hold up the overhead line in the depot area, had become corroded and were deemed to be a safety risk and hence the tram depots, main Exhibition Hall and children’s soft play area were cordoned off.

New traction poles had to be sourced and were kindly donated by NET operator, Nottingham Trams Limited who were quick to offer both support and the urgently needed replacement poles, known as masts.

A rare historic police box dating from the 1930s is to be restored at Crich Tramway Village.

The Metropolitan Police Box was once a familiar site on the streets of London, but the example at Crich is believed to be the last known survivor of this particular MK2 type.

Designed by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench in 1929, the box contained a telephone for police officers to communicate directly with stations before portable radios were introduced. Equally important was the facility for members of the public to use the box to call the Police for help. A similar model is featured as the T.A.R.D.I.S ®TM in the popular TV series, Dr. Who, though the Crich Tramway model does not have time travel capabilities!

This year’s ‘Classic Motorcycle Day’ at Crich Tramway Village will be the fifth event for the partnership with the Vincent HRD Owners Club and with sponsorship from Derwent Waste Management.

The event attracts around 300 motorcycles, made up of vintage machines to relatively modern machines of the1990’s, all of which must be over 25yrs old. 

A live band will play at the bandstand during the day and there are numerous trophies for the best machines judged by expert judges, including Best Original Motorcycle judged by the editor of Old Bike Mart, Blue Miller. 

The ‘Best in Show’ Trophy will, again, be voted for by the visiting public, who are encouraged to browse the whole display before making their selection.

Further to our last post, Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, is pleased to report that some of the areas are now open to the public, although trams are still not running.

Following an inspection team from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), two distinct areas of concern were high-lighted and safety restrictions meant that the Derbyshire attraction decided to close to the public. After completion of detailed repairs on the traction pole in the main street near the Red Lion pub, the restriction has been formally lifted, allowing access to the main street, refreshments, shops, Stephenson’s Discovery Centre, Workshop Viewing Gallery and Eagle Press.

The other restriction on the Depot Fan, where the trams enter and exit the depots requires more extensive work by external contractors, and as such the tram depots, Exhibition Hall and indoor play area unfortunately remain closed, and it is therefore not possible to move and operate trams.

The management will keep the public updated through their website and social media as to when trams will be able to resume operation.

Dr Mike Galer, General Manager at Crich Tramway Village, said:

“We take safety very seriously at the Museum and we are opening the areas which are no longer under a safety restriction to visitors.

Our Great British Seaside Event planned for Saturday 28th May to Saturday 4th June will go ahead with the entertainment planned, but without the trams running.

Since we cannot operate our trams and still have some areas closed, we are offering a discounted day entry price of just £10.00 for adults and offering free admission to children. Those visitors wishing to purchase free return tickets may still do so at our standard prices, so that they can return when all areas are fully accessible again.”

Up-dates for re-opening can be found on the website: www.tramway.co.uk and social media sites:   www.facebook.com/crichtramwayvillage and www.twitter.com/CrichTramway

Tickets should be purchased on arrival, as the discounted day tickets are not available online.

Copy provided by Crich Tramway Village.

 

Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, has decided to close temporarily due to safety concerns.

Following a visit on Tuesday 17th May by an inspection team from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), two distinct areas of concern were highlighted.

One covers the Depot Fan, where the trams enter and exit the depots, and the other is an area in the main street near the Red Lion pub.

In practice, for safety reasons, this means that the vintage trams cannot be moved in or out of the depots and in addition, visitors are not permitted into these areas, which renders the Exhibition Hall, Indoor Play Area, Depot and Red Lion currently inaccessible. 

The management are liaising with contractors about a timescale for the structural maintenance to correct the situation.

Dr Mike Galer, General Manager at Crich Tramway Village said:

“It is fair to say that our maintenance regime suffered badly during the pandemic and has further not been helped by the contractors we have asked to carry out the work, having their own difficulties. We take safety very seriously at the Museum and have taken the decision that the Museum will now be closed to all visitors temporarily, which is deeply regrettable and frustrating for all concerned”.

Up-dates for re-opening can be found on the website: www.tramway.co.uk and social media sites:   www.facebook.com/crichtramwayvillage and www.twitter.com/CrichTramway

Copy provided by Crch Tramway Museum.