Seaton Tramway welcomes the return of Historic Tram Car 23

Seaton Tramway is delighted to announce the return of Car 23, a historic tram originally built by founder Claude Lane from 1948 to 1949 at his Lancaster Electrical Company workshops in Barnet. This significant addition to Seaton's heritage marks the return of a vehicle that played a pivotal role in the early days of Lane’s tramway ventures.

Car 23 will be on display from 14th September at Seaton Station, alongside the Tramway and Light Railway Societies Model Exhibition which will be on display all weekend for free.

Car 23 was Claude Lane’s first tram, based on an ex-Darwen tram from the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay tramway, where he was a seasonal driver. The tram was originally constructed for his own amusement, utilising a narrow 15-inch gauge, and could even travel through Lane's workshop, showcasing his engineering ingenuity.

On July 2, 1949, Car 23 made its public debut at the Hadley House fete in Barnet. Its portability and charm made it a beloved feature at various local events. In the summer of 1951, operations moved to St Leonards, Sussex, followed by six successful seasons at Rhyl, Denbighshire, beginning in 1952.

By 1953, Claude Lane foresaw a bigger future for his trams and shifted focus to larger-scale operations, leading to the opening of the Eastbourne Tramway in 1954 and its eventual relocation to Seaton in 1969. Unfortunately, Car 23 was too small to be part of this larger vision and remained at Rhyl until 1957 when the line closed.

Car 23’s journey continued in 1959 when it was sold to Ian L. Cormack of Cambuslang, near Glasgow. It found new life in 1984 with the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society and underwent a thorough restoration under the guidance of Denis Butler, a devoted tram enthusiast who had fond childhood memories of Car 23. By 1999, Denis had completed its restoration, and the tram operated on a private track in his garden.

The tram made a nostalgic return to Seaton Tramway in 1995 during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Seaton line, where it was showcased alongside the modern tram fleet. After Denis Butler’s passing in 2023, it was his wish that Car 23 should return to Modern Electric Tramways Ltd, the company founded by Claude Lane.

Seaton Tramway is proud to welcome Car 23 back into its collection, exactly 75 years after it was first built, and will be displayed as a reminder of the roots of Seaton Tramway and the passion of its visionary founder, Claude Lane.

This remarkable tram is not just a piece of Seaton Tramway history but a symbol of the dedication and love of those who have cared for it over the decades. We invite all tramway enthusiasts and visitors to come and see Car 23 at Seaton Tramway and celebrate the legacy that started it all.

Car 23 will be on display in Seaton Station from 14th September until the end of the operating season on 3rd November. Operational trams run daily from 10am, every 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at tram.co.uk