THE UK's ONLY STEAM TRAMWAY
Situated at our Spring Village Station is our narrow gauge steam tramway, the only one of its type in the UK. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the Tramway included in the price of standard admission.
HISTORY
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The Telford Town Tramway was built by the Telford Development Corporation (TDC) in 1979 around Randlay Pool in Telford Town park. They commissioned a custom Steam Tram and coach to operate the line which took its first public run in September 1979. The line originally ran in a straight line on the former LNWR Coalport line, past a newly built amphitheatre for about 300 yards. There were grand plans for a 3 mile long route from Telford Town Centre to the Blists Hill Living Museum. Soon after construction began, TDC became aware that they were legally prevented from running public transport so operation was handed over to the fledgling Telford Horsehay Steam Trust. An official naming ceremony took place in 1980, with Rev. W. Awrdy in attendance to name the Tram 'Thomas' after Thomas Telford. However over the next few years the Tram became less frequently used until it was effectively abandoned in its shed at the Town Park.
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The Tram on Test, 1979 © Narrow Gauge Railway Society |
Tramway re-opening ceremony, 1991 TSR Archive |
By 1987, Telford & Wrekin Council had taken ownership of TDC's assets and noticed they still owned the mothballed steam tramway. An offer was then made to Telford Steam Railway to come and remove the Tramway in total otherwise it was all going to be scrapped. The volunteers quickly went and picked up the tram, track and shed, moving it to an empty site next to the standard gauge railway at Horsehay. After a few years of restoration, the line was re-assembled in a horse-shoe shape and reopened in 1991, showcasing a new red and cream colour scheme on the rolling stock. The line continued in this fashion until 2015 when the circuit was complete providing a full loop to traverse. Unfortunately due to the boiler on the Tram being condemned, the line closed in 2019 while it's overhaul commenced. In 2025, the Tramway re-opened featuring the restored tram and coach along with other site improvements.
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THE LINE
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The tramway in its current form is a 300 yard circuit based at the edge of Horsehay Pool. Passengers begin their journey at Horsehay Pool Station located next to our picnic area. We then travel past the Old Loco Shed and into the woods by Horsehay Pool, before once again passing the Picnic Area.
On our second lap the tram will stop at Old Loco Shed Station, where passengers are invited to look at the viewing area inside the standard gauge restoration workshops and see the progress we are making on our locomotive overhauls. Once your back on-board the the engine will complete another circuit bringing you back to Horsehay Pool Station. In total you travel round the circuit three times on your journey. |
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THE LOCOMOTIVES
THE STEAM TRAM 'Thomas Telford'Our unique steam tram 'Thomas Telford' is the main motive power on the tramway. The line was built to accommodate the engine after it finished service at Telford Town Park. The engine operates using a vertical boiler supplying steam to an antique single cylinder engine, providing chain drive to both axles. The 16-seater coach was built alongside the tram and offers visitors a traditional tramway experience.
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RUSTON 20DL No.229633A new addition to the line is the privately owned Ruston diesel locomotive. After being in storage for many years, a dedicated group of volunteers have restored the engine back to operational condition. While the Ruston isn't usually out on regular services, it can be seen at special events such as our Diesel Gala.
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OPENING DAYS
It is planned for the Tramway to be open alongside our standard gauge railway on every regular operating day. Any closures will be advertised on our website and on Facebook. Unless otherwise stated it will be the Steam Tram and coach operating services. Old Loco Shed Station may have to close on certain days when intensive maintenance is being carried out inside.
EXPERIENCES
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Footplate rides on the steam tram will be available on certain days when the engine is in operation. We ask for a donation for the experience to help maintain and improve the tramway.
In the future we hope to offer driver experience courses on the steam tram. |
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