Scarborough's historic tram re-opens

It's been closed since January for refurbishment

Author: Sharon PlummerPublished 20th May 2022

It's all aboard the Scarborough Central Tramway Company.

After closing for refurbishment in January, the trams are back in operation today (20 May), taking people up and down the steep cliff at Scarborough South Bay. The carriages had been taken to Rotherham for work.

General Manager, Helen Galvin said:

"They've been separating the chassis and they've been completely refabricated and it's the first time in over 65 years and it's some major engineering, so it's an amazing feat by our engineers."

The empty tramlines after the carriages had been removed.

Other work to be completed includes:

New emergency brakes fitted - to be integrated with new drive system

The tram carriages are to be upgraded and the exteriors are to be repainted

New flooring throughout the carriages

New placement of batteries for carriage lighting

New lighting for carriages and tracks

Interior of the stations painted

The cliffside trams have been part of Scarborough's history since 1881.

Helen said:

"Our community will be desperate for us to open, we provide such a service to everybody because it's such a hard walk going up all those steps! I'm glad we're back and I know the public is glad to have us back as well."

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