Crich Tramway Village News

Track Cleaning

2012-02-03T09:26:00.000Z

The track is being cleaned and prepared for half term opening

The Bandstand

2012-02-01T11:30:00.000Z

The latest photographs of the bandstand area.

Gavioli

2012-01-24T16:28:00.000Z

The Gavioli which was housed in the Exhibition Hall is being dismantled and will be taken to its new home in Kirk Ireton where it will be restored. The Gavioli belongs to Derbyshire County Council and has been on loan to Crich.

Rita's Tearoom

2012-01-20T10:21:00.000Z

Rita's Tearoom is currently being painted ready for the new season

Leeds 345 wheelset repair progress

2012-01-19T13:17:00.003Z

The wheels for Leeds 345 have now been assembled on to their new axles at our contractors works and have been placed in a balancing machine in order to check for concentricity.

John Shawcross and a technician from our contractors check and record the measurements which were deemed to be satisfactory and within tolerance.

Another milestone achieved on the project to reinstate Leeds 345 to operational condition.

Photos by M C Crabtree, with the kind permission of Dorlec Ltd

Bandstand Railings

2012-01-16T15:31:00.000Z

The railings and wall have now gone up around the bandstand to create a park area

Leeds 345 shunt

2012-01-13T13:36:00.000Z

Leeds 345 has been shunted outside of the workshop while the overhead crane is serviced.

Whilst 345 is in natural day light, an inspection of the paint work is carried out.

Glasgow 22 Commission

2012-01-13T10:30:00.000Z

Glasgow 22 is currently in the workshop being commissioned. Heater pipes are underneath the tram to dry out the traction motors.

Berlin 3006

2012-01-09T13:45:00.000Z

The latest picture of the Access Tram 3006 in its new livery

Blackpool 630

2012-01-05T09:45:00.000Z

A photograph of 630 on Monday 2nd January with its pantograph fitted.

Official Sandford Award Photographs

2012-01-04T11:25:00.000Z

Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp presenting Helen and Jan with the Sandford Award in Durham Cathedral.

Arrival of Blackpool 630 at Crich

2011-12-23T17:23:00.002Z

The Blackpool 'brush' car 630 arrived at Crich on Thursday 22nd of December.

In the Workshop along side Blackpool 762

Thank you to Jack Gordon for supplying the photographs http://www.tramways-monthly.com/

Blackpool 'brush' tramcar 630

2011-12-22T14:11:00.006Z

The National Tramway Museum has taken delivery of the Blackpool 'brush' tramcar 630. The tram has had some bodywork repairs undertaken and has been fully repainted by Blackpool Transport before being dispatched to Crich.

Blackpool 'Brush' car loaded on to Scotts transporter ready to depart from Blackpool Transports Rigby Road Depot, with Blackpool Tower in the background.

Blackpool 630 on the way to Crich, on the outskirts of Blackpool it was necessary to avoid low hanging traffic lights by driving around the end of its bracket arm!

Blackpool 630 waits patiently in the lay just north of Preston, waiting for a police escort though the centre of the round about under M55 Jct 1, this was necessary as the height of the tram with its tower in place exceeds 16ft 6 inches and therefore is considered to be an out of gauge load.

Blackpool 630 passing under the M55 on the special private gated 'high load' road that has lowered section in the centre of the round about.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 21st December 2011.

Bandstand Project

2011-12-16T15:04:00.000Z

The photographs show the latest process on the development around the Bandstand

A Day at the Trams

2011-12-15T11:43:00.001Z

Here is a poem we received from Isobel and her Grandparents Brian and Judy. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to share it.

A Day at the Trams

Trams from here and trams from there,
And trams from countries everywhere.
Trams from the seaside, trams from the city.
When gentlemen more suits and hats,
And the ladies dressed so pretty.

You can race up the stairs to get the best place,
Sit on the balcony and get lots of space.
You can wave to the people and they wave back,
As the tram rattles and rumbles to the end of the track.

The trams were electric, horse drawn or steam,
Get your tickets ready! The conductors here with the machine.
When the tram reaches the end of the track, stand up! Shouts the conductor, and turn your seats back.

When we arrive at the last stop, Isobel jumps off the tram and runs to the shop.
She gets out her purse, and has a look round,
Two bouncy balls at 50p each, that just makes a pound.

Then we go for fish and chips, or sometimes just a bun.
So ends a day of laughter, and lots and lots of fun.

Fire Marshall Training

2011-12-15T10:55:00.000Z

Staff and Volunteers took part in Fire Marshall Training on Sunday 11th and Wednesday 14^th of December. Here are some photographs of practical demonstrations.

The Sandford Award

2011-12-08T11:05:00.001Z

The Museum is delighted to announce it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education from the Heritage Education Trust. The Awards Ceremony was held on Wednesday 30th of November in Durham Cathedral and was awarded by Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp.

Our learning team showing off the award in the new Learning Centre opened in 2011.

The award

Winter Track Work

2011-12-05T11:54:00.000Z

Here are some of the latest pictures of the track work being carried out on the Glory Mine Extension. As you can see there have been a few wintery showers.

The track is now in place and being secured.

The Golden Age of the Tram

2011-11-30T09:17:00.001Z

After countless phone calls from production/film companies doing programmes about transport and just including a small part about trams, our curator Glynn Wilton has managed to persuade a company to do a whole programme about trams which is being aired on Monday 5^th December on BBC 4. Timeshift: The Golden Age of Trams features film footage from the Museum, an interview with Glynn and enthusiasts Richard and Anne Wiseman. The Museum also assisted with some historical content of the programme.

Glory Mine Extension Winter Work

2011-11-28T15:38:00.001Z

More photographs from the work on Glory Mine Extension

Looking South from Glory Mine with the track bed clearly visable

The sleepers being moved by a JCB

A photograph taken from upon the bank of the track bed and Glory Mine Loop

The new track

Glory Mine Trackwork

2011-11-25T12:07:00.002Z

Progress is being made on the Glory Mine track work. The original rail and sleeper have been removed and the ground is being prepared for the new rail.

These photographs show the new rail in place and ready to be secured to the sleepers.

The Band Stand

2011-11-21T13:16:00.002Z

Work has started on developing the Band Stand Area. Funded by the Subscriber Plus Fund with additional funding being provided by two anonymous donations from Society members.

A wall and railings will divide the Band Stand area from the tram lines to create a park area and new pavement will be laid. The work should be completed in the New Year.

The Bandstand will be 100 years old next year.

131 at Blackpool

2011-11-15T09:56:00.000Z

Cardiff 131 outside the Starr Gate Depot

Anderson Shelter

2011-11-11T11:25:00.000Z

Mr & Mrs Claye kindly donated the Anderson Shelter to Crich in the memory of Colin Scothern whom they knew. Colin used to manage the Gift Shop at Crich which was named after him.

The Anderson Shelter will help to create a Allotment display at Crich in the coming years, with help from external funding.

The Shelter was collected by Glynn Wilton, Bob Hall and David Anderson

Engineering Work

2011-11-10T15:32:00.000Z

At the start of the closed period work has immediately started on the engineering works between Wakebridge and Glory Mine. The ex-Tramlink (Croydon) diesel powered works vehicle is seen here with the crane in use for lifting . It is preparing to transport new rail from the storage area at Cabin to the working area. The brand new rail will replace second hand used rail which was installed in 1977

More pictures of 762s arrival

2011-11-09T14:42:00.000Z

762s last trip in Blackpool on Saturday 5th of November

Covered up and ready to start its journey to Crich. A special thanks to Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society for the loan of the tarpaulin.

Off the flatbed and onto the rail

In the shelter of the Workshop

762 arrives at Crich

2011-11-09T09:53:00.000Z

The first pictures of 762 arriving at Crich

131 arrives at Blackpool

2011-11-08T16:25:00.000Z

Cardiff 131 has arrived at Blackpool. It is photographed here in the Starr Gate Depot.

Cardiff 131 on its way to Blackpool

2011-11-07T12:44:00.000Z

Cardiff 131 at the start of its 4 hour journey to Blackpool. The water car is on loan to Blackpool to assist with rail cleaning.

Starlight Halloween

2011-11-01T16:34:00.000Z

Here are some photographs from our Starlight Halloween Event

New Members Day

2011-11-01T12:24:00.000Z

Saturday 29th of October was new and young member’s day. Here are some pictures of our young members having a go at being tram conductors.

Silver Platter from the family of W. G. Marks

2011-10-19T12:04:00.000+01:00

The Museum has been donated a silver platter from the family of W. G. Marks ex-manager of Chesterfield, Nottingham and Liverpool tramways.

Hannah Bale holding the platter

Tram Mock Up Arrives at Crich

2011-10-18T14:07:00.000+01:00

The mock up of the cross river vehicle arrive on Wednesday 12th October from Transport for London. It had previously been in storage at the London Transport Museum.

BT Volunteers

2011-10-05T12:05:00.000+01:00

Volunteers from BT came to help on 28 September 2011. It was the most glorious sunny day and fun was had by everyone putting fairy lights on part of the Woodland Walk for the Starlight Halloween Event. Many thanks to all involved.

Restoration and Maintenance

2011-09-26T10:08:00.002+01:00

Our current restoration project London United Tramways 159 was successfully re-united with it's trucks this weekend. This marks a significant milestone in this project which started in 2005. This allowed the first opportunity to see the completed sign-writing on the sides of the tram for the first time outside, the sun coming out at just the right time.

3006 is seen on the museum's lifting jacks to allow it's running gear to be removed for overhaul. Whilst the car is not available the museum is offering a reduced admission charge

At the same time, work began on the planned heavy maintenance work to our access car Berlin 3006. It is seen here, already devoid of it's pantograph being towed into the workshop to be lifted from it's wheels and motors.

Award Winners!

2011-09-21T13:39:00.002+01:00

The Museum won two awards at the Derbyshire Heritage Awards ceremony last night at the Silk Mill in Derby. The awards are held annually to celebrate excellence in Derbyshire museums.

The new Stephenson Discovery Centre exhibition won the 'Best Exhibition' category and the Learning Department won the 'Working with Children and Young People' award for their work on the Renaissance East Midlands funded 'MuBu' project, 'Hear All About It'.

The entires were very high quality and showed a wide range of innovative and interesting ideas, the Museum is delighted to have won against such stiff opposition. We would like to congratulate all our colleagues in other museums, award winners or not, for the excellent projects entered in the scheme.

Sci-Fi at Crich

2011-09-15T09:28:00.000+01:00

We had some intresting visitors on Saturday 10th September. There was the Delorean Owners Club UK visiting us for their AGM. They brought along a replica 'Back to the Future' car!

Alice in Woodland

2011-09-06T12:35:00.000+01:00

Here are some photographs from our Alice in Woodland Event on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th of August. Some of the characters were drama students fro Highfield School in Matlock and some of our own volunteers.

A Thousand Wishes

2011-08-26T17:02:00.000+01:00

It has been a very rainy day here at the Tramway, so we thought that we should rescue the many wishes left by our visitors on the Wish Tree last week. The Wish Tree was very popular and although we have not sat and counted each rescued wish, we do know that 1000-1500 labels were used to write wishes on last week. That's a lot of wishes for our tree to cope with!

We have enjoyed reading the wishes and we thought that you might like to read a few too.

'I wish I was Indiana Jones' Nathaniel Bradley aged 3

'I wish there was a tram full of penguins' Chloe, lol

'I wish I am a rock star when I am older, about 8' Anon

'I wish to be in the Royal Command Unit' Aaron Stockwell

'I wish I was a great big man eating ant!' Anon

'I wish I had a real life Unicorn' Esme

'I want to be a mermaid' Anon

'I wish I had a metal rocket' Anon

'I wish I had super powers' Mason

'I wish for my family to stay happy and healthy always xxx' Anon

'I wish Nicholas wouldn't be quite so grumpy!' S&J

'I wish Man U get relagated this year' Anon

'The Lottery Win for once,' Margaret & Alan, Lynne & Kev

'I wish to own all the reptiles in the world,' B. Bates

'I wish for everybody to be happy,' Anon

'I wish all our boys and girls that are away from their families fighting for our country come home safely. Thank You x,' Anon

We would like to say thank you to all of our visitors who left a wish. The Wish Tree is now recovering from a hectic week and will be ready to spring into action again next year!

Alice in Woodland - (Premier Event)

2011-08-25T13:54:00.000+01:00

Alice in Woodland - (Premier Event)

A new event for 2011. This Bank Holiday Sunday (28th) and Monday (29th)

Fairy Dens

2011-08-18T16:48:00.000+01:00

Here are some photographs of the impressive fairy dens up on our Woodland Walk. There will be more Fairy Den making tomorrow among other activities. Next week we have Alice in Wonderland themed activities in the run up to our new event – Alice in Woodland on the 28th and 29th of August.

The Wish Tree

2011-08-17T16:17:00.000+01:00

The Wish Tree on the Woodland Walk as part of our Woodland Fun Week

Woodland Fun all next week

2011-08-12T16:54:00.000+01:00

Woodland Fun all next week

Sandford Award for Heritage Education

2011-08-11T14:55:00.003+01:00

The Museum is delighted to announce it is to receive the Sandford Award for Heritage Education.

The Learning Department met the required criteria to a high standard which covered educational and domestic facilities, contribution to local and national heritage, good management and administration for all aspects of the visit and consultation with educational customers and advisors.

The judges also shadowed an education session lead by a member of the learning team in the New Learning Centre.

Lead Judge Adam Clarke said ‘This Museum is a gem in the East Midlands’ crown and offers excellent, unique learning opportunities. The village itself is a concoction of historical buildings in their own right, taken from elsewhere, to create a pseudo-heritage experience. The learning opportunities on offer are exceptional, giving children the chance to look into a world gone by – something which many would argue we could learn much from as we consider our future. As the museum looks to improve further in the future, this Award will hopefully be seen as a catalyst for even more excellent practise in the area of heritage education.’

The award ceremony will take place in November.

Craft Workshops

2011-08-10T10:21:00.000+01:00

The craft workshops have been as popular as ever in the new Learning Centre. They take place weekdays 1pm - 3pm over the summer holidays. Below are some pictures from Monday 8th August of our visitors making recycled art.

Bradley and Lilly

Jamie

Sophie

Aiden, Abby and Alfie

Fleur

159 Update

2011-08-08T11:55:00.000+01:00

The 159 restoration, sitting on its own wheels for the first time since 1923

The George Stephenson Workshop Official Opening

2011-08-02T13:04:00.000+01:00

The new exhibition was offically opened on Tuesday 26th of July by Andrew Lewer, leader of Derbyshire County Council.

George Stephenson Workshop & Discovery Centre - Grand Opening

2011-07-18T13:57:00.000+01:00

George Stephenson Workshop & Discovery Centre - Grand Opening

Film Show

2011-07-07T15:36:00.000+01:00

We have film showing on the screen in the Exhibition Hall. The touch screen terminal will allow our visitors to choose the place they are interested in and then have the film shown on screen. The software is still in development with the grant aid from the Digital Film Fund, which was also give to digitise the film and create an electronic catalogue of the film collection.

Learning Centre

2011-07-07T11:16:00.000+01:00

The Derbyshire Museum Forum meeting held in the Learning Centre on 4^th July. There was the Head of Derbyshire Museums, the Regional Museums Development Officer and representatives from other museums across Derbyshire.

The First Visitors in the George Stephenson Workshop Exhibition

2011-07-06T16:23:00.000+01:00

We are delighted to announce that the George Stephenson Workshop Exhibition is open to the public. The official opening ceremony is on Tuesday 26^th of July.

George Stephenson Workshop & Discovery Centre - Grand Opening

2011-06-21T14:12:00.000+01:00

Come along and join us to celebrate the grand opening of our brand new Discovery & Learning Centre on Tuesday 26th July.

Find out more here.

The Glass Walkway

2011-06-16T16:52:00.000+01:00

The glass is now in the process of being fitted between the Workshop Viewing Gallery and the George Stephenson Workshop.

Inside the Discovery Centre

2011-06-16T16:49:00.000+01:00

Shots of the exhibition contractors fitting out the Exhibition area

Photographic Group Visit

2011-06-15T11:51:00.001+01:00

Here are a selection of photos taken recently by a group of visitors from the Workers Educational Association - Crich Branch.

Current Form

2011-06-09T13:41:00.000+01:00

From our postcard collection, Scarborough's Electric Tramways versus Electric Supply Department charity football match.

Date and result unknown.

Henry's Day

2011-06-07T18:01:00.000+01:00

On Sunday 7 August 1955, Henry Priestley participated in the Light Railway Transport League's (LRTL)
tramcar tour of Glasgow.

Henry is seen standing on the right.

He chose this unusual position to photograph the group's tramcar.

This was the resulting picture.

Another of Henry's pictures that day.

Henry, a Tramway Museum Society member, died in 2008, aged 97.

The Museum's archive contains a large number of Henry's negatives.

Electric Cars At Last

2011-06-03T09:50:00.000+01:00

A postcard from the Museum's collection, showing the introduction of electric tramcars in Lincoln, previously a horse tram city.

Postmarked Lincoln 4 December 1905 and sent to a Cambridge address.

"You see we have got electric cars at last and they run very well. They get overcrowded sometimes and stop to rest a bit. You will have to come and see them."

Middle Of The Road

2011-06-02T12:04:00.000+01:00

Passengers boarding a Glasgow tram.

A picture from the Museum's recent JJW Richards bequest.

Enthusiasts' Tram Event - more photos

2011-06-01T11:36:00.000+01:00

Photos courtesy of Jack Gordon

Enthusiasts' Tram Event - Sunday 29th May

2011-05-31T15:45:00.001+01:00

Here are some photos from our Enthusiasts' Tram Event which took place on Sunday. More photos to follow tomorrow.

First Floor

2011-05-27T09:59:00.000+01:00

The flooring being laid on the first floor exhibition.

Enthusiasts' Tram Event - Sunday 29th May

2011-05-25T12:17:00.000+01:00

A full timetable for the Enthusiasts' Tram Event is now available on our website.

Cromford and High Peak and Crich

2011-05-25T11:11:00.000+01:00

A recent bequest of colour slides by the late JJW Richards, an early Tramway Museum Society (TMS) volunteer at Crich, includes these two images on British Railways' Cromford and High Peak line, not far from Crich.

Although undated, they appear to show the 30 April 1967 enthusiasts' brake van special (this was a freight-only route), which ran at the time of the line's closure.

In this second image, the two locos are stationary on the steep Hopton Incline, having stalled on the ascent.

Six years earlier, founder TMS member John Price had travelled on a similar special, but in open wagons. He then continued to Crich.

In the TMS members' Journal of October 1961, describing his unusual journey, he wrote:

"..........you proceed to Buxton, climb the railway embankment in the vicinity of No. 1 [signal] box. After a due wait, board the special train by means of the front van. This train will take you as far as Parsley Hay. Change there to open wagons as far as Middleton Top (inspect 1825 beam engine). Walk down incline to foot, board another wagon-train to Sheep Pasture Top, walk down Sheep Pasture Incline to Cromford Wharf, (inspect shed). Cross the valley by the path through the sewage works to the Holloway road and continue to the bus stop facing the two cottages, then continue by the E2 bus [to Crich]......"

The Cromford and High Peak's trackbed is now the High Peak Trail.

Glass Panels

2011-05-24T11:55:00.001+01:00

The glass panels are being placed along the walk way from the Workshop Viewing Gallery into the George Stephenson Stone Workshop.

THE BIG BOOK SALE

2011-05-23T15:52:00.000+01:00

As part of Enthusiasts Day on Sunday 29th May, the Library will be holding a BIG book sale in the Great Exhibition Hall.

The Library receives a large amount of books and journals through the kind donation of people’s collections. Many of these items already form part of the collections in the library and so become duplicates. The number of duplicates has increased with recent large donations and with the kind permission of the donors the library is looking to sell some of these items.

All the money raised will go back into the library to continue to maintain and care for the collections it stores.

Classic Motorbike Day

2011-05-23T14:38:00.000+01:00

Here are a selection of photos from the Classic Motorbike Day which took place yesterday.

Crich Quarry Development

2011-05-20T09:37:00.002+01:00

The quarry adjacent to Crich Tramway Village has recently changed hands.

The new owners have approached the Tramway Museum Society, owners and operators of Crich Tramway Village, ( the Museum) to show us their outline proposals for the development of the quarry as a leisure resort, to be called Amber Rock Resort.

The Museum has had no input to these outline proposals.

The proposals consist principally of a hotel, leisure centre, retail outlet and holiday chalets.

The outline plans include a tramway to serve the principal buildings on the development. There has been no consultation on these proposals between the Museum and the developers and there has been no agreement to extend the existing tramway or to integrate the Museum with the proposed resort.

Any future plans for the Museum in conjunction with this project will depend on further and detailed information being provided by the developers.

More Motorbikes and Tramcars

2011-05-19T11:33:00.000+01:00

A further selection from our archives.

Sheffield, 1953.

Aberdeen, 1958.

Leeds, 1958.

Lille, 1956.

George Stephenson Stone Workshop Update

2011-05-18T15:25:00.000+01:00

The ramp leading from the emergency exit.

The floor has now been laid in the Learning Centre

The windows have now been restored.

Motorbikes and Tramcars

2011-05-18T11:09:00.000+01:00

Ahead of this Sunday's Classic Motorbike Day (22 May) here at Crich, a selection from the Museum archives.

London, 1930s.

Sunderland, 1954.

Leeds, 1959.

Glasgow, 1960.

Decorated Tramcars

2011-05-17T11:16:00.000+01:00

A selection of postcards from the Museum's archives.

Croydon Lifeboat Day, 22 July 1908.

Middlesbrough Charity Carnival, September 1925.

Bristol Lord Mayor's Fund, December 1925.

Pixie Pixels

2011-05-13T20:31:00.000+01:00

The late Reverend 'Teddy' Boston's narrow gauge steam loco 'Pixie' is seen at our 1970 Grand Transport Extravaganza. 'Pixie' normally ran on the light railway which 'Teddy' operated around the grounds of his rectory in the village of Cadeby, Leicestershire.

Early Crich Arrivals

2011-05-10T20:44:00.000+01:00

Two of the Museum's archive images from the 1960s.

Sheffield 510, the city's official last tram, arriving at Crich in October 1960.

Sunderland 100, originally Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331, arrives in June 1961. The Midland General bus is operating a service to Matlock.

Klargester Installation

2011-05-09T16:50:00.000+01:00

A hole has been dug for the Klargester for the new toilets in the learning centre.

Morris Minors at Crich

2011-05-06T10:04:00.000+01:00

With this year's Morris Minor event a couple of days away (Sunday, 8 May), a selection of images from the 2010 gathering, courtesy of Stephen Polhill/Morris Minor Owners Club.

George Stephenson Stone Workshop progress

2011-05-05T13:28:00.000+01:00

The inside of the Learning Centre is starting to come together with newly plastered walls.

The roof of the first floor exhibition have been insulated, dry lined and then plastered

The ramp from the Workshop Viewing Gallery over to the George Stephenson Stone Workshop is now complete and awaits the bespoke glass panels

Ventilation pipes at the rear of the building have now been installed

A very different view of the newly renovated building from the Tearoom's

A new viewpoint at the Museum which has never been seen before.

Morris Minor Day

2011-05-05T10:43:00.000+01:00

It's Morris Minor Day here at Crich this Sunday (8 May).

Here are two pictures from the Museum's archives, with Moggies in Glasgow and Lisbon.

Workshop Tramcar Movements

2011-05-03T12:32:00.000+01:00

A re-organisation of trams in the workshop and depots took place over the weekend.

166 has been refurbished.

159 makes an appearance outside for the first time this year.

Edinburgh 35 has been given a spring clean

Tower Wagon 4

2011-04-27T14:43:00.000+01:00

Tower wagon 4 being used for the first time today.

Royal Wedding Tram

2011-04-27T13:43:00.000+01:00

Chesterfield 7 has been decorated to celebrate the Royal Wedding; the tram will be running today, tomorrow and Friday.

Easter 1940s Weekend

2011-04-27T10:10:00.000+01:00

Below are a selection of photos from our 1940s Weekend which took place on 24th and 25th April.

Return to Town End

2011-04-26T15:51:00.000+01:00

Until 2 May, the Contractor's fencing around Stephenson's Workshop will be pulled clear of the tram lines, allowing tramcars to run right through to Town End rather than terminating outside the Red Lion.

Cars at Town End today included both Blackpool 40 and 167.

Easter Entertainment for all the family!

2011-04-18T11:37:00.001+01:00

Get Crafty with our drop-in Craft Sessions!

The perfect way to keep the whole family entertained.

Monday 18th - Thursday 21st April
Spring and Easter themed crafts from 1-3pm

Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April
You can join in the fun on the run up to the Royal Wedding with plate decorating from 1-3pm

Thursday 28th April
Add style to your day by making a crown or tiara from 1-3pm

All craft activities are drop in sessions and are based in the Education Room.

Enjoy Easter 1940s Style

You may need your tin hat and gas mask if you visit Crich Tramway Village during its special 1940s Weekend on Easter Sunday and Monday 24th and 25th April. You can expect air-raid warnings and the sound of low flying aircraft and you will need your identity card for a real taste of life during the Second World War. Plus, if you dress up in 1940s clothes admission is only £8!

Policemen and members of the Home Guard will be patrolling the period streets and visitors must always be ready to show their identity card or risk being arrested as a spy! Beware the spivs selling black market goods and watch out for unexploded bombs. However the trusty ARP will be on hand to deal with any incidents including the incendiary bombs. The Red Lion public house will be serving drinks and wartime styled meals.

Read more...

Ride the Royal Wedding Tram
We will be running a specially decorated ‘Royal Wedding Tram’ during the week of the Royal Wedding from 26th to 29th April. Whats more if your name is Kate or William you will be invited to a FREE day out on Friday 29th April to celebrate the occasion.

Read more...

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Royal Wedding Tram

2011-04-14T15:17:00.000+01:00

We will be running a specially decorated ‘Royal Wedding Tram' during the week of the Royal Wedding from 26th to 29th April to celebrate the occasion.

Decorated tramcars were a long tradition. Here are a couple from our archives:

Nottingham Corporation Tramways car decorated for the 1911 Coronation of King George V.

Great Grimsby Street Tramways car decorated in the early 20th Century for the County Show.

1940s Dance

2011-04-04T09:23:00.000+01:00

Bookings are now being taken for our 1940s dance with pie & pea supper priced £6 per person, taking place on Saturday 23rd April.

Pie choices:- Steak & Kidney, Chicken & Mushroom or Cheese & Onion. If you would like tickets, please send a cheque made payable to 'Tramway Museum Society' along with menu choices. Please also include an address you would like the tickets posting to.

BBC East Midlands Today Filming

2011-03-23T15:25:00.002Z

BBC East Midlands Today along with presenter Kylie Pentelow came to the Museum today to film a preview of our Easter 1940s Weekend. Around 50 re-enactors were present along with several vintage vehicles and Kylie was able to drive Leeds 180. Even Winston Churchill made a guest appearance! The footage will air during April, follow us on Facebook and Twitter for further details. A very big thank you to all the re-enactors who took part!

Stone Workshop Development

2011-03-18T16:56:00.001Z

Progress continues on the Stone Workshop. The roof has now been secured and replaced.

The North gable end has been rebuild

Concrete has now been laid on the 1^st floor again creating 2 levels in the Stone Workshop Building.

The ground floor which is soon to be the new Learning Centre.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

2011-03-17T12:20:00.002Z

This BBC series visited Crich last August.

The programme was aired on BBC2 on 16 March.

Visit Peak District Excel Awards 2011

2011-03-11T12:27:00.002Z

On Thursday 10th of March the Excel Awards 2011 were held at Carriage House Chatsworth.

Tracey Reader (centre), a member of the Museum's volunteer Events Team was a finalist in the "Event Planner of the Year" category. The awards, organised by Visit Peak District and Derbyshire are to Recognise excellence in tourism, culture, leisure and hospitality.

Also present (l-r) Malcolm Wright, Adrian Roberts, Tracey Reader, Lynda Wright and Doug Kightley.

Behind The Scenes Talks

2011-03-03T15:26:00.000Z

The Curatorial team had a great turn out for the Behind the Scenes talks which took place during February half term. All our visitors who attended our three daily talks really enjoyed the chance to see some of the historically important items which are stored in the John Price Memorial Library.

A number of our regular volunteers were present throughout the week, so visitors also got the opportunity to see some of the conservation work that the curatorial department is currently undertaking with the help of our volunteers.

Watch out for talks later in the year, where we'll take a look at some more items from the stored collections, as well as updating on some of the conservation work that is going on.

If any one has any suggestions for talks, i.e would you like to know more about particular areas of conservation or how we digitise the photographic collection, then why not drop us an email at enquiries@tramway.co.uk or laura.waters@tramway.co.uk

Tramway Beginnings - First Draft of Crich Film

2011-03-02T10:38:00.002Z

This is the first cut of a film in development as part of the Museum’s Learning Flagship Project, The Talking Museum, funded by Renaissance East Midlands. The project aims to work with the local community, Museum volunteers and staff to explore the impact of the Museum’s presence in the village since 1959. The final film will become part of the oral history archive of both the Museum and the village. It will be exhibited at the museum and presented to the village. The Museum is grateful to LCA Digital and Focused Learning and Interpretation who have helped to make this happen.

Tower Wagon 4

2011-02-23T15:42:00.000Z

TW4 arrived at Crich this week. The tower has been specially built in Wakefield and replaces the previous vehicle which no longer complied with modern regulations. It will be used for repairing and maintaining the overhead line.

Stone Workshop Discovery & Learning Centre Update - February 2011

2011-02-22T16:24:00.000Z

History of the Building Part 1

The Stone Workshop is the largest building which has remained from when George Stephenson’s metre gauge quarry railway was here in the 1800’s. It is believed that the position of the building, its size and the remains of a forge, which can still be seen in the Scothern & Williamson Bookshop, means the building could have been used by the limestone quarry’s blacksmith to mend tools and wagons, and could also have been the stables for the horses which pulled the wagons loaded with lime, along the railway. There are no other buildings along the route of the quarry railway which would have been able to provide the size of building needed for these activities.

History of the Building Part 2

From a possible forge and stables, to perfect undercover storage for trams. When the Tramway Museum Society was looking at the site as a possible home for their museum, the Stone Workshop building provided them instant storage. However, the building may have been big enough to get a tram in, but a few minor alterations needed to be made to actually get one in. First a large door was needed in the north end wall, and then the first floor needed to be taken out. From then on the building was used for the restoration and storage of trams for a number of years.

In recent years the building hasn’t been used, due to concerns regarding the safety of it as the roof had begun to sag.

The Future – HLF Funded Project

In 2010 the Heritage Lottery Fund, agreed to help fund a £1million restoration project, which would not only preserve a unique and historically important building, but would create a whole new exhibition and learning centre.

The building will link through into the already popular Workshop Viewing Gallery, creating a large under cover exhibition space for visitors to explore.

Behind the Scaffolding

Our building team from Tomlinson’s started work on the building in late October.

It’s been an eventful few months, as first they had to bring in the mini diggers to break out the existing flooring ready for the new concrete floor.

Then the snow came! Despite inches of snow and a week when it was impossible to get to the site, work continued on the floor.

At the beginning of January work began on constructing the scaffolding which you can see surrounds the building currently.

All the roof tiles needed to be removed from the neighbouring roof of the Scothern & Williamson book shop as rotting roof timbers needed to be replaced. The tiles were all removed, the timbers repaired and the tiles are now all back in place.

January also saw a steel frame work structure inserted into the building. This will create the structure to support the first floor and the new roof, which will correct the problem of the sagging in the old one. The stairs to the first floor exhibition are now in place, and the walls for the toilets in ground floor learning centre have been taking shape.

Work has now started on the north end wall to replace the stone to help create stability in the building.

Discovery Centre

The first floor discovery centre will provide a new exhibition area, where visitors will be able to discover what there is to see at the tramway village, how the Museum started, as well as the early history of the site during George Stephenson’s involvement with it.

We’ll also be exploring how public transport in the 19th century was struggling to cope with the increased demands of the expanding towns and cities, and how trams were the solution to moving the masses.

The exhibition has been designed to provide a diverse range of learning experiences, incorporating audio, hands on and visual elements. We hope you’ll come back later in the year to see the completion of this exciting project.

Bringing Education into the very Heart of the Village

Our new Learning Centre which will form the whole of the ground floor of the Stone Workshop will bring learning right into the centre of the tramway village.

The centre will provide an improved and larger facility for the delivery of our diverse range of education sessions.

Our education department has been busy working on new activities which will take advantage of the new Discovery Centre Exhibition on the first floor.

Our popular holiday craft sessions will be easy to find with the central location of the Stone Workshop and everyone is welcome to pop in and say hello and see what fun crafty fun is going on.

Don’t forget to drop in to our fun children’s craft sessions which will be taking place this Half Term. Details of Curator-led talks and behind the scenes tours can be found on our website.

Go Behind the Scenes this February Half Term

2011-02-10T12:38:00.000Z

We have lots going on this February Half Term including exclusive behind the scenes tours, Curator-led talks and children's craft workshops, so why not come along and join in! Find out more on our website.

Stone Workshop Roof

2011-02-02T15:42:00.000Z

Work is currently taking place on the roof to take the weight of the roof off the original walls and place it on steel supports. The photos show how the roof sags in the middle due to this problem.

Stone Workshop Progress

2011-01-28T13:39:00.000Z

Marylebone Station and Crich

2011-01-27T14:50:00.000Z

Our gates originally stood outside London's Marylebone railway station and were re-erected at Crich in the 1970s.

Our postcard collection includes this image of a pre-1923 Great Central Railway express awaiting departure from Marylebone for Sheffield and Manchester.

Town End

2011-01-26T12:00:00.000Z

Glasgow 1282 arrives at Town End, Crich village, in March 1963.

Visitors to our 1969 Grand Transport Extravaganza.

March 1979 snow.

By Road and Rail

2011-01-25T12:24:00.000Z

The prototype Lucas Aerospace workers' road-rail bus visited Crich in 1980.

It was part of a programme, in conjunction with the North East London Polytechnic, to identify and develop alternative products for the company.