Loved this video. My question is, will there ever be an extension up to Seaton Junction? It'd be fantastic to be able to travel to the tramway by rail (hopefully a new Seaton Junction station between Axminster and Honiton) and hop right on to a tram down to Seaton :)
I guess it's down to the trams not drawing much power themselves, while battery technology has increased to improve capacity. Assuming the trams' power consumption stays the same, I imagine the next generation of trackside batteries could hold even more.
They have really big batteries because they always run the trams off of them; they're not just emergency backups. They save money by only buying mains electricity at night when the rates are lower and storing enough for a full day of operation.
Even the.....video title....has the.....classic Geoff....interrupted sentence....delivery! I'm very fond of the Seaton tramway myself having gone there with my tiny children, and still enjoyed going as grown-ups. It's where my mum was born and grew up so the area has family connection too.
Love these documentaries. Love seeing Geoff driving a train or tram. Have always enjoyed watching those videos in the past. (I've started watching and following in 2017, I think, but have also gone and watched older videos.)
It's been ages since I went down there and rode those trams. The posh stations wasn't a thing then. I do watch them in the webcams and it looks so good, I need a visit. Thanks Geoff.
Wow...that was fun. Must have been seen as amazing technology in its day. Can't believe some of the trams were built in the 1950's. Thank you Seaton Tramway for maintaining the trams in working condition.
It's so sad to hear that trams were running in Exeter and Bournemouth, knowing they no longer exist. It seems like every city and town up and down the country had them and we're so much worse off now for not having them :(
Note they are nearly all half or 2/3 scale replicas (as far as practical for 12 inch to the foot scale human passengers) of real trams. Very few real trams were built after the 1930s - London Transport inherited over 2,500 in 1933, but didn't build a single one.
This has made my day! We go to Seaton for a week every summer and the tramway is always the highlight - we even went twice in a week this year. The cream teas at Colyton station are absolutely amazing!
The fish in beer batter at Colyton stn. changed my mind of fish n chips. Loved the chance to squeeze my fat body up those stairs and see the treetop view. The beach and harbour are worth a look see with the tide moving the sea flora and the sea bird acrobatics.
wow! I visited this tramway as a kid when I was about 7 or 8 years old but I’d mostly forgotten about it until this video came along! thank you for this video Geoff, you look like you’re having the time of your life which is always a joy to watch!
I have watched their video feeds on UA-cam and was delighted to see you have now visited this lovely tram line. The rabbits run around early in the morning outside the workshop. It is very relaxing to watch and I am sure also to ride! 👍
Brilliant video Geoff! I've got family that live in Colyton, so I spent many a summer as a kid riding the tramway when we were down visiting and this brought back lots of memories! It's a beautiful part of the world and the trip up the Axe valley is fantastic. The line itself was a branch line that used to run up to Seaton Junction station on the West of England line. Whilst the station itself is closed now, the building and platforms are I believe still there and can be seen from trains going between Exeter and Waterloo.
Very interesting.... mt great-grandfather was a tram driver, for East Ham Corporation Tramways. I have an old piccy of him in his uniform & badge in the back garden of the house i grew up in, must have been taken in the 1920s......
Nice to see the Tram featured on your channel Geoff, I live nearby and have been on the Tram numerous times over the years, the Main hall in Seaton is now the third version that I can remember as it's been updated over the years
What a fabulous video, Mr M! One of the most enjoyable I've watched. Many years ago, I worked for Racal, who used to have a factory in what I think is now the tram depot. Great to see it "re-lifed" and being used for something so positive and delightful.
That's totally brilliant...! We stayed at Colyton for a holiday in 1976 when we were kids - I remember seeing the trams then. Think I'll have to try the driving course...!!
Might I suggest make a thorough trip of it? As well as Seaton, there are East Anglian Transport Museum (Lowestoft) and the National Tramway Museum (Crich). If trolleybuses (trackless trolleys) are your thing, add the Trolleybus Museum (Sandtoft). Those are the biggest collections with working exhibits, though the odd tram and trolleybus made it in to other museums. The London Tranpsort Museum is superb, but a couple of times a year, it opens it's reserve collection facility too. Contact them for dates ... Geoff has done a clip on that IIRC.
For our 50th I rented Shute Barton, A big National Trust cottage for friends in Axminster. One of the excursions was the Seaton tram way. It was a fantastic day out. I highly recommend it. All the best Alex
Does anyone else watch the live feed on UA-cam? I have been for the last 3 years. Every day. It's amazing. Shane I missed Geoff on the live feed driving the tram. Anyone interested, the links are under Seaton Tramway. ❤
I remember the trams in Eastbourne when I was very small and visiting grandparents - I remember hearing that the council wouldn't let them extend along the seafront so they moved the whole thing to Devon. Very shortsighted decision by the council, but their 'new' location is wonderful.
Great video, Geoff! 2 differences with trams I drive: our handbrakes are ratcheted, so you stop by 'pumping' the handle back & forth; trolley poles are attached to a rope, so on 2 ended cars we just unhook it & walk to the other end - the rope is attached to a 'keeper' on 1 ended cars...
So many memories! I first went to Seaton Tramway in the late 1990's, and I'll never forget an exchange I had with the driver of the "Blackpool" Tram that day. They enthusiastically talked about, not just what the various controls do, but also the history of the route and how they ended up with a Mitton shaped replacement for the fingers on their right hand. A truly wonderful place and it's great to see it again. The terminus at Seaton looks different, I remember it being of an Edwardian style when I visited before
Not going to lie, as a train conductor, I was very impressed with that stop! Stop board (Whistle board technically, but still) right in the window. For a rookie that was very well done Geoff - did you ever consider becoming a train driver?
Just the other day, we were talking about this. I took this tram ride last year with my family on a grey, drizzly afternoon. Despite the weather, we all had a great time-it was really enjoyable. Plus, there was a fantastic café waiting for us at the end.
Loved this one, Geoff and I can tell you did as well! I really need to go on this tramway (I lived in Exeter when I was at uni for 4 years and I never went!)
Great vlog, @geoff. Reminds me of my day on Heaton Park Tramway, in Manchester. They too have driver experience days. Didn’t know about the line-side batteries, really great idea.
I remember going to Seaton often when I was young with my father and brother. Me and my brother walked off and entered the cream and green open top single decker tram and made it set off, one of the staff came running after us hopped on stopped it and we got off to a both very embarrassed and angry raspberry of a father hahahaha.
I love the Seaton Tramway. I’ve not been for a few years now but I first went on it in 1973 when they didn’t have a proper station and it only went as far as Colyford. We stayed at the Warners Holiday Camp at Seaton and we got to the tramway from the field at the back of the camp (about where Riverside Halt is now). The trams were powered by a battery car in those days. Many years later, I did a driver day at Crich Tramway and it was great fun.
Lovely video Geoff! I visited Seaton Tramway around 2018 (I think), and absolutely enjoyed it! Beautiful scenery all around, the staff were so nice and full of smiles, and the tram ride was awesome. 😎
I remember visiting the tramway in it's last year of operation in Eastbourne. Unfortunately I have never been to Seaton but I did enjoy the ride along the seafront at Eastbourne and I think it went to the Napoleonic citadel.
Love this place. Been a few times now. It's a childhood memory for me. First when I was around 6 I believe, then again as a teen and around 6 months ago. It's a heritage line with a difference. I love it! ❤
Went there many years ago for one of their Polar Express Experiences and absolutely loved it! I must take another visit there some time to experience it in the daylight. Thanks for the video Geoff, very insightful and entertaining!
Fantastic place for a day out with a family. Can recommend the tea room at the end of the line. Also at the moment on there UA-cam page. They are showing photos of the time they were at Eastbourne. Which i remember well..........(showing my age now)
Really enjoyed watching this video. In fact I've watched it a few times already! Great to see someone learning and their immediate reactions. Pete is a great instructor ❤. Well done everyone involved 🤗
Hi Geoff you lucky, lucky, guy I have always wanted to drive the trams. I live in the New Forest and try and go down to Seaton Tramway once a year. The peaceful and beautiful journey from Seaton to Colyton is wonderful, just the sound of the birds and the trams. Seaton is one of the few seaside places with the countryside on its doorstep, it’s less than 5 minutes walk from the Tramway to the seafront! I hope you also went to Pecorama in Beer, about 5 miles away, for the ride on railway and the fantastic model railway displays. It is one of my must do days outs! Harry
Thanks for visiting Geoff!
We’ll make a tram driver of you yet!
Visited before really nice tramway well done lads marshes are amazing aswell
Hello! thanks for a fun day!
Seaton Tramway are here in the comments, so if you have questions for them, ask and they will answer!
@@geofftech2 Will we see you at the European Tram Driver championships next year?
Loved this video. My question is, will there ever be an extension up to Seaton Junction? It'd be fantastic to be able to travel to the tramway by rail (hopefully a new Seaton Junction station between Axminster and Honiton) and hop right on to a tram down to Seaton :)
@@geofftech2 it was a great day! And considering the weather that week, we did pretty well to stay dry!
24 hours of backup power for the trams is bloody impressive for being so old, i was expecting him to say 2 hours!
I guess it's down to the trams not drawing much power themselves, while battery technology has increased to improve capacity. Assuming the trams' power consumption stays the same, I imagine the next generation of trackside batteries could hold even more.
They have really big batteries because they always run the trams off of them; they're not just emergency backups. They save money by only buying mains electricity at night when the rates are lower and storing enough for a full day of operation.
OMG WE WENT HERE WHEN WE WAS ON HOLIDAY IN DEVON! such great memories 🥰
Beer is also home to Peco, one of the UK’s few remaining manufacturers of model railways.
Even the.....video title....has the.....classic Geoff....interrupted sentence....delivery!
I'm very fond of the Seaton tramway myself having gone there with my tiny children, and still enjoyed going as grown-ups.
It's where my mum was born and grew up so the area has family connection too.
Love the instructors banter
Love these documentaries. Love seeing Geoff driving a train or tram. Have always enjoyed watching those videos in the past. (I've started watching and following in 2017, I think, but have also gone and watched older videos.)
It's been ages since I went down there and rode those trams. The posh stations wasn't a thing then. I do watch them in the webcams and it looks so good, I need a visit. Thanks Geoff.
Wow...that was fun. Must have been seen as amazing technology in its day. Can't believe some of the trams were built in the 1950's. Thank you Seaton Tramway for maintaining the trams in working condition.
It's so sad to hear that trams were running in Exeter and Bournemouth, knowing they no longer exist. It seems like every city and town up and down the country had them and we're so much worse off now for not having them :(
Our oldest is 1904! 😮
@@SeatonTramway1970 They are beautiful pieces of historical rail stock. Even better when they still run.
Note they are nearly all half or 2/3 scale replicas (as far as practical for 12 inch to the foot scale human passengers) of real trams. Very few real trams were built after the 1930s - London Transport inherited over 2,500 in 1933, but didn't build a single one.
Two of the things that kept me sane during those dark lockdown days of 2020. Geoff's videos and Seaton's tramathon. Thanks guys.
We’re still recovering from that 24 hours!
This has made my day! We go to Seaton for a week every summer and the tramway is always the highlight - we even went twice in a week this year. The cream teas at Colyton station are absolutely amazing!
Hi Geoff, I remember riding the tram way back in the late seventies when our school had school journeys to Devon.
The Seaton Tramway asked Geoff if they could have some excellent publicity in return for having a go at driving a tiny tram! Who could say No?!
It seems a win-win-win for all. 👍
The fish in beer batter at Colyton stn. changed my mind of fish n chips. Loved the chance to squeeze my fat body up those stairs and see the treetop view. The beach and harbour are worth a look see with the tide moving the sea flora and the sea bird acrobatics.
Brilliant Geoff, I live in Devon and you are bloody lucky to get a dry day, but that’s why it’s so beautiful.
we did indeed get such a good day with the weather! felt a little lucky, yes!
wow! I visited this tramway as a kid when I was about 7 or 8 years old but I’d mostly forgotten about it until this video came along!
thank you for this video Geoff, you look like you’re having the time of your life which is always a joy to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a lovely surprise, seeing you visit an attraction in my childhood home!
Did a driving experience day there for my 40th. It was a really great day and welcoming team; thoroughly recommend.
I've done a few on the Manx Electric Railway with air brakes and eight notches series and Parrallel. The Railway was 130 years old this year.
Brilliant! We have a few that have 8 and parallel too!
Geoff should get over to the IoM sometime.
I remember visiting this tramway as a child, thanks for taking me down memory lane Geoff 👍
Yep, me too when I guess the tramway was no more than 5 years old…
Same when i was holiday there no older than 10.
Visited many times over the years. Friendly staff and a great time. Highly recommended.
The wild life section! Reminds me of "This week on too late to see!" The cameraman getting a shot of the Animals behind! LoL
I went there a year ago and it was very good hope you enjoyed it
I have watched their video feeds on UA-cam and was delighted to see you have now visited this lovely tram line. The rabbits run around early in the morning outside the workshop. It is very relaxing to watch and I am sure also to ride! 👍
That video was right up my street! Thanks for that Geoff and company!
Geoff Marshall, Your videos are getting better and better by each passing time. Thank you for the Tram rides. 🙂
Great video! I've been visiting Seaton and the surrounding area all my life. Love the tramway! Was a surprise to see it here!
I absolutely love Seaton and the tramway is brilliant ❤
Well done Geoff. This and Crich are on our list when we get back to the UK late summer next year. Thanks for sharing.
Nice. Often ridden this and it's a lovely relaxing half-day of fun. The cafe at Colyton does a decent light lunch too!
For the whole video I had a huge smile on my face, the trams, the crew, the driving experience - just awesome. 😊
Brilliant video Geoff! I've got family that live in Colyton, so I spent many a summer as a kid riding the tramway when we were down visiting and this brought back lots of memories!
It's a beautiful part of the world and the trip up the Axe valley is fantastic. The line itself was a branch line that used to run up to Seaton Junction station on the West of England line. Whilst the station itself is closed now, the building and platforms are I believe still there and can be seen from trains going between Exeter and Waterloo.
I love the Seaton trip!We'll be going again,next year and we can see the trams from where we'll be staying.😁Great video!!!
I rode this last year, absolutely gorgeous and loved the tramway, rode it far more times than I needed to!
Fantastic video Geoff! Your videos make me smile 😀
Hey Geoff I really like this one. Thank you very much. Old trams, Country side beautiful sceenery. Thanks again for this visit.
Very interesting.... mt great-grandfather was a tram driver, for East Ham Corporation Tramways. I have an old piccy of him in his uniform & badge in the back garden of the house i grew up in, must have been taken in the 1920s......
Nice to see the Tram featured on your channel Geoff, I live nearby and have been on the Tram numerous times over the years, the Main hall in Seaton is now the third version that I can remember as it's been updated over the years
As a birder and a rail enthusiast, "birdwatching tram" is a combination I never knew I needed!
Our 2025 birdwatching trams are now available to book!
I watch the Live Cam feed from the Depot - a very relaxing way to pass time.
Geoff, you need to try the horse drawn trams in the Isle of Man
What a fabulous video, Mr M! One of the most enjoyable I've watched.
Many years ago, I worked for Racal, who used to have a factory in what I think is now the tram depot. Great to see it "re-lifed" and being used for something so positive and delightful.
Racal used to be our neighbours, they were on the site of the old Railway Station. Its now a development for luxury housing
@SeatonTramway1970 Ah OK. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I caught a glimpse of the new homes in the video.
That's totally brilliant...! We stayed at Colyton for a holiday in 1976 when we were kids - I remember seeing the trams then. Think I'll have to try the driving course...!!
this is worth the trip from the states!!
Might I suggest make a thorough trip of it? As well as Seaton, there are East Anglian Transport Museum (Lowestoft) and the National Tramway Museum (Crich). If trolleybuses (trackless trolleys) are your thing, add the Trolleybus Museum (Sandtoft).
Those are the biggest collections with working exhibits, though the odd tram and trolleybus made it in to other museums. The London Tranpsort Museum is superb, but a couple of times a year, it opens it's reserve collection facility too. Contact them for dates ... Geoff has done a clip on that IIRC.
For our 50th I rented Shute Barton, A big National Trust cottage for friends in Axminster. One of the excursions was the Seaton tram way. It was a fantastic day out. I highly recommend it. All the best Alex
Ive looked into this with my daughter 3/4 times but never got round to it, looks so good
I have ridden a tram on this line and it is delightful. Well worth visiting.
Does anyone else watch the live feed on UA-cam?
I have been for the last 3 years.
Every day. It's amazing.
Shane I missed Geoff on the live feed driving the tram.
Anyone interested, the links are under Seaton Tramway. ❤
We do 👀
Just last week but don't think there was anything running.
I remember the trams in Eastbourne when I was very small and visiting grandparents - I remember hearing that the council wouldn't let them extend along the seafront so they moved the whole thing to Devon. Very shortsighted decision by the council, but their 'new' location is wonderful.
You would need a pair of calipers to measure the distance between where you stopped and the whistle sign. 10/10
Still on Rail-Cams too...! I am aghast at the points at the Depot and how they work. Nice to see inside the workings. Cheers!
Loved it! Beautiful wetlands and lovely line.
Thanks
thanks Dennis! most kind
We experienced the Seaton tramway this summer. It was a brilliant day and a marvellous experience.
Very nice people and place 😊💜
Thanks!
How funny that you’ve done a video on the tramway, Im off to Seaton tomorrow for a couple of days, I have thought of doing the Tramway! Great video
Great video, Geoff! 2 differences with trams I drive: our handbrakes are ratcheted, so you stop by 'pumping' the handle back & forth; trolley poles are attached to a rope, so on 2 ended cars we just unhook it & walk to the other end - the rope is attached to a 'keeper' on 1 ended cars...
We have ratchets on all our handbrakes too! Our only tram with a rope on the trolley is car 4!
@SeatonTramway1970 thx for the info!
So many memories! I first went to Seaton Tramway in the late 1990's, and I'll never forget an exchange I had with the driver of the "Blackpool" Tram that day. They enthusiastically talked about, not just what the various controls do, but also the history of the route and how they ended up with a Mitton shaped replacement for the fingers on their right hand. A truly wonderful place and it's great to see it again. The terminus at Seaton looks different, I remember it being of an Edwardian style when I visited before
I think the depot is now the old Racal factory?
That was so interesting - what fun! And what a lovely, scenic run, as well.
Love the Seaton trams. Went as a child in the 70’s on family hold then when my son was young we took him there too ❤
Wow, I have been watching their live webcam for years now - never managed to get there yet, so great to see this inside video!
I was there in September; wonderful place to visit.
Pete sounds like a real down to earth guy!
Looks like a great day out!
Not going to lie, as a train conductor, I was very impressed with that stop! Stop board (Whistle board technically, but still) right in the window. For a rookie that was very well done Geoff - did you ever consider becoming a train driver?
Geoff did a fantastic job all day!
Just the other day, we were talking about this. I took this tram ride last year with my family on a grey, drizzly afternoon. Despite the weather, we all had a great time-it was really enjoyable. Plus, there was a fantastic café waiting for us at the end.
Loved this one, Geoff and I can tell you did as well! I really need to go on this tramway (I lived in Exeter when I was at uni for 4 years and I never went!)
Been there years ago just love those trams. Hope you'll had a great time
Super entertaining as always Geoff
It's worth going on a nice summer's day and having a pub lunch in Colyton
Spent a lot of my childhood on the Seaton trams whilst on holidays to nearby Lyme Regis so this brings me back. Thankyou Geoff :)
Lucky man, Geoff. Have travelled on the tramway a few times, always a great journey.
Great video Geoff .The yellow and green colour scheme reminds me of the Melbourne Australia trams in the 1960's.
Great vlog, @geoff. Reminds me of my day on Heaton Park Tramway, in Manchester. They too have driver experience days. Didn’t know about the line-side batteries, really great idea.
Now I know how they work..... great Vlog
Mr. Dawes seems like a lovely person who has fun with their work
I remember going to Seaton often when I was young with my father and brother.
Me and my brother walked off and entered the cream and green open top single decker tram and made it set off, one of the staff came running after us hopped on stopped it and we got off to a both very embarrassed and angry raspberry of a father hahahaha.
I love the Seaton Tramway. I’ve not been for a few years now but I first went on it in 1973 when they didn’t have a proper station and it only went as far as Colyford. We stayed at the Warners Holiday Camp at Seaton and we got to the tramway from the field at the back of the camp (about where Riverside Halt is now). The trams were powered by a battery car in those days. Many years later, I did a driver day at Crich Tramway and it was great fun.
This tram railway looks so interesting! Hope you enjoyed the day there Geoff 😊
It reminds of my visit to the National Tramway Museum at Crich many years ago. Wonderful! 🚊
Lovely video Geoff! I visited Seaton Tramway around 2018 (I think), and absolutely enjoyed it! Beautiful scenery all around, the staff were so nice and full of smiles, and the tram ride was awesome. 😎
I remember visiting the tramway in it's last year of operation in Eastbourne. Unfortunately I have never been to Seaton but I did enjoy the ride along the seafront at Eastbourne and I think it went to the Napoleonic citadel.
Love this place. Been a few times now. It's a childhood memory for me. First when I was around 6 I believe, then again as a teen and around 6 months ago. It's a heritage line with a difference. I love it! ❤
Lovely tram line with some stunning views and some nice driving Geoff!
Seen this place grow and grow after my Mum moved down to Lyme Regis a good few years ago.
Had some lovely journeys
I remember rides on this tramway when I was a kid.. very nice that it is still going :)
Went there many years ago for one of their Polar Express Experiences and absolutely loved it! I must take another visit there some time to experience it in the daylight.
Thanks for the video Geoff, very insightful and entertaining!
I love Seaton Tramway. I wish there was more information available about the old Seaton branch line.
Fantastic place for a day out with a family. Can recommend the tea room at the end of the line. Also at the moment on there UA-cam page. They are showing photos of the time they were at Eastbourne. Which i remember well..........(showing my age now)
fun old tram
Awesome!! Greatings from the Netherlands.
Really good video Geoff. Looks like you had a fab day.
oh my neck of my woods, love the Seaton Tramway
Thanks for posting this, it looks like a fun day out.
Great video thanks for showing looked very Enjoyable.😊
Reminds me of my great day as a "tram driver" . ❤ Great video and well done Geoff. 👍
Really enjoyed watching this video. In fact I've watched it a few times already! Great to see someone learning and their immediate reactions. Pete is a great instructor ❤. Well done everyone involved 🤗
Geoff evey nice the first ever video you posted I have all ways enjoyed watching you keep it up dude I’m loving it
Hi Geoff you lucky, lucky, guy I have always wanted to drive the trams. I live in the New Forest and try and go down to Seaton Tramway once a year. The peaceful and beautiful journey from Seaton to Colyton is wonderful, just the sound of the birds and the trams. Seaton is one of the few seaside places with the countryside on its doorstep, it’s less than 5 minutes walk from the Tramway to the seafront! I hope you also went to Pecorama in Beer, about 5 miles away, for the ride on railway and the fantastic model railway displays. It is one of my must do days outs! Harry