Restored LCC No 1 tramcar 'Bluebird' to be launched

After ten years and a cost of around £500,000, London County Council (LCC) No. 1 tramcar ‘Bluebird’ is due to be launched at an event for special guests and Tramway Museum Society (TMS) members on Friday 13th September 2024 at Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum. 

 

Originally launched in London on 5 May 1932, the tramcar was seen as a 'revolution' and its comfort was likened to a 'Rolls-Royce' by the contemporary press. With its striking royal blue and ivory livery, the tramcar soon acquired the nickname 'Bluebird'. 

 

LCC No.1 was sent to Leeds in 1951 as London began to abandon its tramways and in 1963 moved to the Museum of British Transport in Clapham before finishing its journey to Crich in 1972. 

 

London County Council Tramways Trust (LCCTT), a registered Charity whose objective as set out in the Trust Deed is “to educate the public in the history of tramways and the technical details, engineering and performance of such transport” asked the Tramway Museum Society to consider restoring the tramcar to its original condition and in 2014, after 18 months of preparation, the restoration began. 

 

“ After ten years of hard work by our Conservation Workshop team, we’re thrilled to celebrate the return of this magnificent Art Deco tramcar. We hope that our visitors will enjoy riding on ‘Bluebird’ for many years to come” said Kate Watts, Curator at Crich Tramway Village. 

 

Karen Rigg, Tramway Museum Society Chairman, said:“We are absolutely thrilled that Bluebird is now ready for launch. Having watched the process from the beginning, when the tramcar became a pile of sundry components and parts to the point where we have this beautiful vehicle has been fascinating. Testament goes to all the members of the team in our conservation workshop whose skills have made this possible, and to the LCCTT for raising the funds to make it happen”.