A New Chapter Begins: National Tramway Museum prepare to launch pioneering Access Tram
The National Tramway Museum is set to make history on Saturday 12th September, as it officially launches its pioneering new Access Tram – a landmark project that is transforming the way visitors experience Britain's tramway heritage.
Following the museum's "Save the Date" announcement earlier this summer, the much-anticipated launch will take place at the start of the museum's popular Tram Weekend, the perfect event to celebrate the years of dedication from staff, volunteers, engineers, funders and supporters to create one of the UK's most accessible heritage tram experiences.
Among the invited guests will be Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, The Mayor of East Midlands Claire Ward as well as other representatives from disability organisations, accessibility campaigners, transport professionals and heritage organisations from across the country.
Our first passenger will be Tom Attwood, a regular visitor at the museum who’s limited movement was making accessing the other trams more difficult. What makes it an even more momentous occasion was that it was Tom’s brother Jonathan who launched our original Access Tram back in 1997!
The specially adapted tram, converted from Blackpool Centenary Tram No. 645 – one of the last first-generation tramcars built in Britain in the 1980s – has been designed to carry up to three wheelchair users alongside 25 seated passengers, allowing families and friends to enjoy the journey together.
Looking to the future, it has also been designed with the potential capability for a wheelchair user to drive the tram under supervision, as part of our Ultimate Tram Driving Experience days - believed to be a world first for a heritage tramway.
The project replaces the museum's much-loved original Access Tram, introduced in 1997, which enabled thousands of visitors with disabilities and limited mobility to enjoy a heritage tram journey, before being retired in 2023 after more than 25 years of dedicated service.
With more than 100,000 visitors every year, the museum recognised that many people found it difficult—or impossible—to board its fleet of century-old tramcars. Rather than accepting those limitations, the museum embarked on an ambitious project to create a modern accessible tram, while preserving the unique experience of travelling on a heritage railway.
The tram has undergone an extensive transformation, including the installation of a wheelchair lift, enhanced accessibility features, adapted driving controls and improved passenger facilities. The lift operates to the same standards as those fitted to modern buses and is suitable for most wheelchairs.
The launch represents far more than a new vehicle. It marks a significant step forward in making heritage attractions accessible as many people as possible and demonstrates that innovation and preservation can work hand in hand.
The project has only been possible thanks to the remarkable dedication of the museum's workshop team specialist engineers, project supporters, funders and donors, many of whom will travel aboard the tram as it makes its ceremonial arrival during the official unveiling.
Graham Bennett, Chief Executive of the National Tramway Museum, said:
"The launch of our new Access Tram is one of the most significant moments in the museum's history. Heritage should be for everyone, and this project demonstrates that preserving the past and embracing innovation can go hand in hand.
"Our volunteers, engineers, funders and supporters have achieved something remarkable. Thanks to their dedication, thousands more people will now be able to experience the magic of travelling on a historic tram.'
The official unveiling will take place at approximately 10:30am, before the Access Tram departs on its first passenger journey at 11:00am with invited guests.
Media attending the launch will have opportunities to interview project leaders, volunteers, accessibility campaigners and invited guests, while also capturing the inaugural journeys of the museum's newest tram.
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