Crich crisis sparks overhead inspections

THE crisis at Crich Tramway Village – that saw services suspended from May 18 at the popular working museum following the issue of a prohibition notice by the Office of Rail & Road inspectors who detected dangerous traction poles at two locations, as reported last issue – has sparked awareness of the need for ageing overhead equipment and traction poles to be inspected on heritage tramways throughout the country.

Summerlee Industrial Museum has taken the Crich issues to heart; some of its traction pole bases are 110 years old, originating from the electrification of the 3ft 6in gauge, Rothesay Tramways in 1902.

Museum manager Lu McNair said: “We follow ORR guidelines and, like other heritage tramways, have ongoing challenges with maintenance and repairs of our tramway’s overhead line infrastructure. Safe operations are our priority at all times.”

Also commenting on the effect of the Crich findings on heritage tramways using equipment mostly recovered from first-generation tramways and trolleybus systems that generally range from 50 to 80 years old, with some coming to museums after years of service with its original operators, is Alan Bertram, East Anglia Transport Museum trustee.

Reviewing and learning

He said:“Our overhead lines and traction poles for trams and trolley vehicles have been and are being regularly maintained and inspected.

“Naturally, in the light of the Crich situation, we will review our procedures in due course to see if any changes are necessary.”

Crich, which has ordered new traction poles to replace the ones supporting overhead span and trolley wires at its depot fan, and condemned by the ORR, was already addressing the challenge of using life-expired equipment before the inspection took place.

In early May, Crich general manager Dr Mike Gayler spoke of the balance that must be struck between safe operations, futureproofing heritage tramways and railways, and authenticity by combing modern equipment and materials with old.

“We were already assessing the use of modern, composite material span wires, such as used on a modern system such as Sheffield, which don’t corrode and can be used to replace original ones, without looking out of place,” he said.

“It’s a challenge that all heritage tramway and railway operators will recognise, but if we can’t operate, we don’t bring in revenue, and that would mean an end to authentic restoration of our historic tram fleet, so there’s little choice about blending modern materials, whether overhead line or track, into our operations.

“Done sensitively, there’s no reason why it won’t satisfy everyone, including the purists, while allowing safe and efficient operations to take place using heritage trams for many decades to come.”

Due to safety issues around its tram depots, Crich was unable to run trams or permit access to the exhibition hall and indoor play area, and was open at weekends only during June 11/12.

For updates on the situation, visit www.tramway.co.uk/plan-your-visit/tickets/

Modern overhead wire construction on Crich’s near neighbour, the Sheffield Supertram, as tram 119 approaches Cathedral. Can modern equipment such as this be used in a museum setting? HUGH DOUGHERTY

Traction pole bases like these at Summerlee came from the Rothesay Tramways and date from the electrification of the island system in 1902. Glasgow tram 1017 drops a school party at the museum’s mine cottages. HUGH DOUGHERTY

Left: The trolley reverser at Crich is made up of first generation tram and trolleybus span wires, hangers, ears and frogs, all of which are over the half-century. HUGH DOUGHERTY