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A Ride on the Trams

Gordon & Joyce Robson, Frank & Margery Hutchinson, Anthony and Mary Rosevere, Brian and Hilary Turnbull, Joyce Streets, Barry Pearson and Bill & Milly Chadband visited Crich National Tramway Museum on Sunday 11th June 2006 on the occasion of the Tramathon, one of the few occasions when the Museum runs all of its trams on its scenic route up to Glory Mine.

Crich was a venue we had been intending to visit, without ever actually getting there, for years. It was quite an eye-opener. It was more of a linear Park than a Museum, and the day was perfect for a walk in the park! We walked from the extensive car park; paid our senior citizen’s £8 entrance fee, and strolled down through the “village” past the various shops, bars and tea-rooms to the Tram Terminus. It seemed a good idea to have a tram ride before the crowds assembled. The men scrambled aboard the first available tram, whilst the ladies stayed behind for morning coffee. On the first available stop of the return journey it was essential to get out to photograph those trams following behind (at three minute intervals). Eventually one is sated with photography and it is time to return to the ladies (on the next tram). But of course they are not there! Having satisfied their thirst, and having strolled around for a while, they have boarded a tram to follow us. So we use our time looking around the tram depots, the Tracks in Time Exhibition, the Workshops and the Great Exhibition Hall. When they finally arrive, it is to tell us that we have missed a great walk through the Woodland Park and the sculpture trail.

So its back on the tram (this time an open-topped one) to go back to the Glory Mine, and start the scenic walk back. through the woods. The wooden sculptures (Green man, Giant Ant, etc) are impressive, as is the open space for picnics with a grand view over the valley beyond. (In fact, one’s first indication that one is approaching the museum is to see, from the road way below, a tram crossing this same skyline).

The trail takes one back across the Bowes-Lyon bridge, which, of course, is another perfect place to get new tram pictures, with the Tower on the skyline above the Quarry cliffs as background.

Our entry ticket included a old one-penny piece which has to be surrendered to ride on a tram. (and not everyone realises that there is such a coin in the change they are given). It is of course quite amusing to see the faces of the new-comers who don’t realise they have such a coin when asked for one by the conductor. To be fair however many of us thought the old penny was to be used in the (presumably pre-war) toilets!

The Tramway village is a great venue for a Sunday day out, and it was a great start to the NCPS summer outings.

Bill Chadband

Thank you to Barry Pearson for the tram pictures. You can see many others and read more about the Museum on Barry's own website - click here

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Home News News Index Report About us Syllabus Exhibition Results Service Newsletter Galleries Links	A Ride on the Trams
	Gordon & Joyce Robson, Frank & Margery Hutchinson, Anthony and Mary Rosevere, Brian and Hilary Turnbull, Joyce Streets, Barry Pearson and Bill & Milly Chadband visited Crich National Tramway Museum on Sunday 11th June 2006 on the occasion of the Tramathon, one of the few occasions when the Museum runs all of its trams on its scenic route up to Glory Mine.
	Crich was a venue we had been intending to visit, without ever actually getting there, for years. It was quite an eye-opener. It was more of a linear Park than a Museum, and the day was perfect for a walk in the park! We walked from the extensive car park; paid our senior citizen’s £8 entrance fee, and strolled down through the “village” past the various shops, bars and tea-rooms to the Tram Terminus. It seemed a good idea to have a tram ride before the crowds assembled. The men scrambled aboard the first available tram, whilst the ladies stayed behind for morning coffee. On the first available stop of the return journey it was essential to get out to photograph those trams following behind (at three minute intervals). Eventually one is sated with photography and it is time to return to the ladies (on the next tram). But of course they are not there! Having satisfied their thirst, and having strolled around for a while, they have boarded a tram to follow us. So we use our time looking around the tram depots, the Tracks in Time Exhibition, the Workshops and the Great Exhibition Hall. When they finally arrive, it is to tell us that we have missed a great walk through the Woodland Park and the sculpture trail.
		So its back on the tram (this time an open-topped one) to go back to the Glory Mine, and start the scenic walk back. through the woods. The wooden sculptures (Green man, Giant Ant, etc) are impressive, as is the open space for picnics with a grand view over the valley beyond. (In fact, one’s first indication that one is approaching the museum is to see, from the road way below, a tram crossing this same skyline).
	The trail takes one back across the Bowes-Lyon bridge, which, of course, is another perfect place to get new tram pictures, with the Tower on the skyline above the Quarry cliffs as background. Our entry ticket included a old one-penny piece which has to be surrendered to ride on a tram. (and not everyone realises that there is such a coin in the change they are given). It is of course quite amusing to see the faces of the new-comers who don’t realise they have such a coin when asked for one by the conductor. To be fair however many of us thought the old penny was to be used in the (presumably pre-war) toilets! The Tramway village is a great venue for a Sunday day out, and it was a great start to the NCPS summer outings. Bill Chadband Thank you to Barry Pearson for the tram pictures. You can see many others and read more about the Museum on Barry's own website - click here
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