Trains and trams
In the first half of the twentieth century a seaside holiday for most people began with a train journey. In earlier times many small fishing villages were transformed into thriving and busy resorts when the railway network finally extended to them. In the 'twenties and 'thirties on bank holiday weekends trains would be packed and people would pour out of the cities into the seaside towns.
In the second half of the last century, people deserted trains for their own cars. For the generation born in the 'sixties, a seaside holiday began with a car journey. As result many branch lines at seaside towns were closed in the 'sixties under Dr Beeching.This also coincided with the demise of steam. The result was that steam enthusiasts took over the branch lines to run steam trains. Consequently a trip to the seaside by steam train can still be enjoyed by many holiday makers. It's now even better - you don't need to worry about luggage and queues and crowds - just sit back and enjoy the scenery rolling by.
One of the most fantastic views to be seen from a steam
train is on the West Somerset Steam Railway. When the train
approaches Blue Anchor Bay, suddenly all you can see out of the
window is the beach and sea. It must have been all the more
exciting if the train you were travelling on had come from London
and this was your first glimpse of the sea. This railway runs a
steam train every hour and a 'sixties diesel train runs in the
intervening half hours. You can get on and off where ever you
like. We took the train from Minehead to Dunster and walked to
Dunster Beach. For more information visit www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway runs from Paignton to Kingswear. You can buy a ticket that includes a ferry trip to Dartmouth. For an extra £1 you can travel in the observation car. Get on early and sit at the front. You will get fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.
For more information visit www.paignton-steamrailway.co.uk
Another seaside railway is to be found at Swanage in Dorset. Visit www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Trams and trolleybuses
In the early part of the twentieth century many seaside towns had working tramways. In the 'thirties they became unfashionable. They were associated with dark inner city areas full of smog. The tracks were a hazard to cyclists - and to veteran car drivers if you remember 'Genevieve'. The overhead electric wiring was considered unsightly. Most seaside towns ripped up their tramways. Only Blackpool retained its trams and made an attraction of them. The trams found other uses. With the seats removed they became makeshift holiday bungalows!
In
the 'sixties, as with the steam trains, people began to think
that trams were worth saving before it was too late and they had
rusted into the ground. In East Anglia, in 1961, four such
enthusiasts rescued the body of an ageing Lowestoft tramcar, No
14, from its final resting place as a summerhouse. This lead to
the opening of the East Anglia Transport Museum in 1965. The East
Anglia Transport Museum is based at Carlton Coalville near
Lowestoft in Suffolk. It now boasts a working tramway and
visitors can have rides on tramcars and trolleybuses at the site.
A trolleybus is cross between a tram and a double decker bus. It gets its power from an overhead electric gantry - like a tram, but has road wheels with tyres - like a bus. It is a tram without the tracks. Trolley buses were common from the 'twenties to the 'fifties and provided a safer alternative to trams, as cyclists would not be faced with the hazard of tram rails.
The East Anglia Transport Museum boasts an impressive line up of trolley buses, trams, motor buses and other vehicles. Appropriately enough for the seaside you can travel in a Blackpool tram. The whole site is well laid out. When you enter the Museum you step back in time. There are mock ups of old shops, telephone boxes, and a garage. It a real nostalgic treat. There is even a tram in its "as found state" with a tiled pitched roof awaiting restoration.
For more information visit www.eatm.org.uk