Model trams at Crich 2025

 

 

As I sat outside the Red Lion pub at the tramway museum, I reflected that this was a rare occasion. I'd travelled to a model show, and was disappointed. 

Every year, I visit the model tram event, hoping to find something I can photograph for a magazine. A couple of times, I've struck lucky, but the hit rate is low, and there was nothing for me this time. 

Truth is, it was a model tramway show with very few model tramways. 

There was an interesting N gauge model of Blackpool seafront. 

I enjoyed a good chat with the builder about his 3D printed tram bodies, running on RTR chassis. It looked nice, but the camera is cruel to both trams and scenery. 

Staying with N, a demo layout showing trams and working buses. 

Again, excellent chat, and some ideas for a future magazine project with the buses

A proper model tramway showed a chunk of continental Europe. 

Now, this is what I expect to see. Sadly, not right for my mag, but nicely modelled. They seemed to be having running problems every time I stopped by, but this happens when you take a layout out, and I'm sure the exhibitors were unhappy not being able to put on their best show. 

Large scale was represented by a single tram running up and down. 

Nice, and technically interesting. One for the enthusiasts. 

For the public, and probably the most popular layout, judging by the crowd around it, Lego. 

Finally, a US Interurban layout. 

More trains than trams if I'm honest, but the builders had done their research, and this apparently isn't uncommon. I have a feeling that the prototype has legs for a longer layout with a bit more scenery. 

Apart from this, a 36-year-old 009 layout. Cracking model. 

Really lovely, but it's been in the mag before. There was also a diesel MPD, which I forgot to photograph, but did enjoy a very long chat with the builders. 

Oh, and I drove a tram simulator. Quite badly, as it turns out. 

I'm sure if I had paid attention properly, I wouldn't have driven off the end of the Crich tramway!

And that's it. 

Sorry chaps, but saying it's Rail 200 does not mean that you can put railways in a tramway show. My guess is that they simply can't fill it with tramways, as they are few and far between. This is very much NOT the fault of the organisers - it's the model tramway hobby. They simply aren't building tramway models. Chatting with the MPD owner, we could come up with around half-a-dozen we remembered in the last 30 years, not many, considering the number of model railways over that period. 

Now, I get that tramways aren't easy to model, thanks to all that overhead wiring and inlaid track. I've been there, and it's a pain to build and make work reliably. I don't really know what the solution is, I'm afraid. While a tramway is on my radar as a future build, based on the model of Wolverhampton tramway I remember from many decades ago, it's not coming to the workbench any time soon. 

Moving on, Crich has a new cafe. 

The old one was falling down, and I suspect didn't offer ideal working conditions to the staff. I'm really not sure about the new version though. Visually, it's a modern building in a mock historic setting. The design is clever in that it's not intrusive, but I don't know. We've definitely lost some atmosphere. 

The glass wall is an improvement; sitting inside, customers can now watch the trams pass by, but there doesn't appear to be as much seating. Also, the ergonomics need sorting. All the menus are beside the till, so you have to queue up before getting your hands on one. None of the sandwiches or cakes have prices. The big blackboard behind the counter is empty. I went to the Red Lion next door for food. 

I'm sure some of this will be sorted. I'm normally very understanding of modern facilities at preserved railways. Most of the customers want good toilets and eating facilities. There is also a lift to get those less mobile up to the cafe and the upper floor of the pub. 

Overall, if you treat this as a trip to the tramway museum with a model show on the side, it was OK. Go especially for the models, and it's less so. Maybe next year.