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  1. Railways and Tramways
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Seaton and District Electric Tramway

Seaton and District Electric Tramway is a 2 ft 9 in (838 mm) narrow gauge electric tramway. The 3-mile (4.8 km) route runs through East Devon's Axe Valley, between the coastal resort of Seaton, and the historic town of Colyton via the village of Colyford.

It operates over part of the former Southern Railway Seaton Branch Line, which closed in March 1966. The tramway was established in 1970 by Claude Lane, founder of Modern Electric Tramways Ltd, which had previously operated in Eastbourne between 1954 and 1969.

The tramway has a fleet of fourteen tramcars.
All of the tramcars are based on classic British designs. Most were built from scratch by Claude Lane and/or his successor Allan Gardner, but three were rebuilt from full-size cars which originally ran in London, Bournemouth and Exeter.
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  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 15 was initially built as open toastrack single decker car 17 in 1988, based on the Manx Electric Railway car of the same number, finished in red and white livery. The car was completely rebuilt in 2016 as a 32 seat enclosed single deck saloon tram and renumbered 15. It is sometimes known as the Polar Express car as it is used on Polar Express excursions which operate during the winter season. Here it is seen at Colyton Station operating as the Halloween Tram which was offering trips with staff in Halloween themed costume.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Colyton Station has been substantially rebuilt since its Southern Railway days serving trains on the Seaton Branch. It now boats a large cafe, enhanced toilet facilities and a large shop. However, the building retains its traditional Southern Railway colours.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 9 at Colyford Station Car 9 was constructed between 2002 and 2004 by Bolton Trams and Seaton Tramway. The car incorporates design elements from Plymouth and Blackburn tramcars.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 9 at Colyford Station Car 9 was constructed between 2002 and 2004 by Bolton Trams and Seaton Tramway. The car incorporates design elements from Plymouth and Blackburn tramcars.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Repairs underway to a lighting fixture at Riverside Loop near Riverside Depot with works car 02 in attendance.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Riverside Depot

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Riverside Depot

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The new Seaton terminal which opened during 2018 has four tracks and can be used as additional depot space as well as a public exhibition area. it allows trams to be boarded under cover and facilities include a booking office / shop.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Works car 02 outside of Riverside Depot. Works car 02 was originally commissioned in 1952 by the Air Ministry as a battery-operated 2 ft gauge, single deck four wheel tramcar. However, the ministry cancelled the order and the Modern Electric Tramways Company retained the vehicle as a works car. In 1968, the body was lengthened and fitted with an overhead inspection gantry, and the four wheel truck was replaced by two standard trucks. It was used intensively throughout the 1970s during the construction of Seaton Tramway. In 1981, the tram was blown over at Colyford during a storm and seriously damaged. The body was again rebuilt, but initially used as a trailer. Eventually it received new motorised trucks in 1992 and returned to service as a self-propelled vehicle.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Works car 02 outside of Riverside Depot. Works car 02 was originally commissioned in 1952 by the Air Ministry as a battery-operated 2 ft gauge, single deck four wheel tramcar. However, the ministry cancelled the order and the Modern Electric Tramways Company retained the vehicle as a works car. In 1968, the body was lengthened and fitted with an overhead inspection gantry, and the four wheel truck was replaced by two standard trucks. It was used intensively throughout the 1970s during the construction of Seaton Tramway. In 1981, the tram was blown over at Colyford during a storm and seriously damaged. The body was again rebuilt, but initially used as a trailer. Eventually it received new motorised trucks in 1992 and returned to service as a self-propelled vehicle.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 9 at Colyford Station Car 9 was constructed between 2002 and 2004 by Bolton Trams and Seaton Tramway. The car incorporates design elements from Plymouth and Blackburn tramcars.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    The old victorian cast iron urinal is the only structure remaining of the original Southern Railway Colyford Station .

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Colyford Station

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 11 prepares to pick up passengers at Colyton. Car 11 is similar to car 9 having had its body constructed by Bolton Trams and running gear by the Seaton Tramway. It entered service in 2007.

  • Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Seaton and District Electric Tramway, Devon - October 29, 2019

    Car 15 was initially built as open toastrack single decker car 17 in 1988, based on the Manx Electric Railway car of the same number, finished in red and white livery. The car was completely rebuilt in 2016 as a 32 seat enclosed single deck saloon tram and renumbered 15. It is sometimes known as the Polar Express car as it is used on Polar Express excursions which operate during the winter season. Here it is seen at Colyton Station operating as the Halloween Tram which was offering trips with staff in Halloween themed costume.

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