Track Work at Wakebridge

The National Tramway Museum was established at the former quarry in Crich in 1959, and now receives 100,000 visitors annually.

The site came to light in the 1950s, while the old quarry rail was being moved from Crich to be used on the Tallyllyn Railway. Among the workers moving the rail, were 2 members of the Tramway Museum Society. They noticed the stone workshop and thought it would be an ideal place to store a tram.

It was later apparent that there was room for more that one tram in the building. At this point the TMS were paying rent at other locations to store its 4 trams. In 1959 the site was leased and then bought, allowing it to be developed.

Trams from around the country started to arrive at Crich; Cardiff 131 first on the 8th of May which is currently being restored for the 50th anniversary in 2009, followed by cars from Leeds, Blackpool, and Sheffield. The site was levelled and the tram tracks were laid down. The track was originally laid by volunteers during the 1970s using second hand materials. Electric trams began running in 1964. In 1978 the track reached its current length to Glory Mine.

After 30 years of being a passing loop with sharp curves, the line and points at Wakebridge are now being replaced. The museum no longer has its volunteer permanent way gang, so has called on rail contractors Balfour Beatty to carry out the work.

The old track has already been removed. It is expected that the layout will be ready for the museum’s re-opening in February half term 2009.

Below are pictures of the latest development;

Before the trackwork started on the 2nd of November 2008.