Way back in November, a very kind relative had bought me a day out on the Seaton tramway. It was now time to redeem that gift.
This was to be the first tram of the day – the 10am from Seaton to Colyton via Colyford. Our first journey was to be on tram number 11. This tramway has an interesting and varied history. I’ve copied the next bit from the Seaton tramway website at www.tram.co.uk
Seaton
Tramway originated at the Lancaster Electrical Company in Barnet, North London,
which built battery electric vehicles such as milk floats.
It's owner, Claude Lane, had a passion for trams and the factory helped realise
his long held ambition of constructing a 15 inch gauge tram based on ex-Darwen
car 23, then running on the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay system.
Completing the tram in 1949, he recouped some of the costs by running it at
fetes and similar local events. Its popularity took Claude Lane completely by
surprise, and led to a one-off summer season at St. Leonards, Sussex, in 1951
and then the first of five seasons at Rhyl from 1952. These ventures persuaded
Lane to negotiate the lease on a permanent site at Eastbourne in 1953, and
Modern Electric Tramways Ltd was born.
The Eastbourne Electric Tramway ran for 2/3 mile between Princes Park and the
Crumbles and to service it, Lane's Barnet works turned out a larger open-top
tram to spearhead the new 2ft-gauge operation. Car 6 was ready for the 1956
season and over forty years later it is now the senior member of the Seaton
fleet. It was an instant success, allowing for the comfortable transport of
adults for the first time!
When Eastbourne proved itself, Claude Lane closed down the Rhyl operation in
1957 in order to concentrate his fleet in one place, which was added to again in
1958 with car 7 which, like car 6, was based on the open-topper design of
Llandudno & Colwyn Bay. These two became the mainstays as the smaller cars
became unable to cope with large numbers.
In 1961, car 4 was built as a tribute to the Blackpool "open boat"
design. 1964 saw the company completed another of its enduringly popular open
toppers, car 2, this time based on a London Metropolitan Tramways design. By now
the smaller cars had been sold off, three to Don Sorenson of Wilton,
Connecticut, USA. Original car 23 stayed in this country and has since been
purchased and restored by an enthusiast on Merseyside. The remaining survivor,
"boat" car 226, was converted into mobile shop 01 in 1965 and remained
in use until 1995.
By the mid 1960s the growth of the town's road system began to threaten the
tramway's tenure and Claude Lane began to moving to a freehold site where the
tramway could flourish unfettered. As this move drew closer, Claude Lane decided
on further additions to the fleet. Car 12, a streamlined single deck saloon
whose looks contrasted sharply with the other cars, appeared in 1966. Car 8 was
constructed during the winter of 1967/68 and debuted at the end of the 1969
season. It was of larger proportions than cars 6 & 7 in readiness for a
wider gauge of 2ft 9 inches.
Along the south coast, British Railways were about to close the Seaton to Seaton
Junction branch line as part of the Beeching "rationalisation". Built
in 1868 by the Seaton & Beer Railway Co, it was taken over by the London
& South Western Railway in 1885, as goods traffic declined in favour of
tourism. The L&SWR was incorporated into the Southern Railway in 1923, and
in its heyday the line's motive power was provided by M7 Tank locomotives, with
through coaches coupled to Waterloo-bound trains at Seaton Junction. However, as
motor vehicles became more affordable, traffic declined and closure came in
March 1966.
Hearing of the impending closure, Claude Lane opened negotiations with British
Railways. They eventually agreed to the sale of the Seaton to Colyton section,
but completion depended upon the granting of a Transfer Order and a Light
Railway Order. The ensuing Public Inquiry heard concerns that trams would create
unacceptable noise and blemish the natural beauty of the Axe Valley, but the
town council contended that the tramway would become a major asset to the area.
With assurances given about safety at Colyford level crossing, the inquiry found
in the Tramway's favour and final permission was granted in December 1969.
From September 1969, the entire system had to be dismantled, transported over a
hundred miles and partially reassembled before the 1970 holiday season ended.
This task fell to just two people, Claude Lane and his assistant Allan Gardner,
making some 36 return lorry journeys between Eastbourne and Seaton, driving
virtually round the clock.
The newly built Riverside Depot began to fill with equipment, and track laying
to the wider gauge of 2ft 9 inches began almost immediately, heading north from
Riverside. Car 8 became the first tram to run in passenger service on 28th
August 1970. With no overhead wire, power was taken from a battery wagon towed
by the tram. The line went as far as Bobsworth Bridge, named after the initial
fare of one shilling! Operations ceased during September to allow more equipment
to be transported from Eastbourne. Winter activity centered on the regauging of
tram bogies to 2ft 9 inch gauge, track work and the erection of traction poles
to carry overhead wire.
With the line at Colyford, the first full season was eagerly anticipated, but at
that moment Claude Lane suffered a heart attack and died on 2nd April 1971. It
was decided to see the project through to completion, as he would have wanted,
with Allan Gardner taking over as Managing Director. The company took on three
new members of staff and as word spread, volunteers offered their time and help.
So the line has only ever been for fun and is a tourist line and not a preservation line at all. In fact number 11, which we were going to travel on is the newest vehicle in the fleet having left the works, brand new, in the year 2005. So it is newer than my car. But still she looks nice. And almost immediately, our driver moved the trolley pole so that power could be obtained from a trailing pole, rather than pushing the pole along.
We set off, past the car park, heading for a very severe right angle bend as we snaked round a former holiday camp. I suppose this had been a real ‘hi-de-hi’ place with yellow coats and chalet maids and entertainments. Somehow it seems a shame that the old infrastructure can’t still be used. I gather a Tesco superstore might take the spot.
We were some way back down the tram, but still got a view over the top and down to the track.
We approached the depot where other trams were on display.
We had another sharp right angle to get round before we could pass these trams – and then we’d be alongside the estuary of the River Axe.
The morning may have been on the grey side, but it was lovely to travel and not be the driver. The view could be fully enjoyed.
This was the view back down to Seaton.
Across the estuary, we looked at Axmouth. It looks a pleasing village.
Above our heads were the electric wires that provide the ‘juice’ for the trams. I’m not sure what the blue diamond board meant.
The broad estuary of the axe looked very tranquil. Being high tide, there was a shortage of bird life of the marine variety, but pheasants could still enjoy a ramble.
A happy chappy enjoys life on the open top deck of a tramcar as we pass Axmouth.
There were ponds with swans as we approached Colyford.
As we got higher up the valley, agriculture took over.
We arrived at Colyford where we had decided to get out. We came down the steps, past the driver’s compartment.
This was another chance to actually see the tramcar we had been on. It headed off, up the hill to Colyton.
We went for a walk.