Southampton Tram Project

14/04/2026

More progress today.
As we intend to move tram 11 out of the shed at our models event next month, a towbar has been fitted. This was done by Steve and Gareth from Switch Engineering Ltd.

27/03/2026

Last Tuesday, the team worked hard to assemble the mechanism for the handbrake on one end of car 11.

This includes a coupled bar made by Solent Powder Finishers.

Some machining was also needed so the small cog would slide on to the brake shaft. This was done at short notice by Southampton Steam Works.

26/02/2026

We're delighted to announce the dates of this year's model tram event. Put this in your diary now !!

21/09/2025

Tram 87, one of the 'flat top' design, ended up in a field in West Wellow after withdrawal in 1948. When it was going to be scrapped, the City Museums decided to save one end for eventual display.
The parts have since been in store in various locations, and had to be moved into a container last week.

10/09/2025

Following on from car 11s truck being installed, Angela is meticulously applying the yellow lining.

20/06/2025

Our annual tram celebration begins tomorrow 21-22 June! Here is Cowley Bridge – a miniature working signal box, operated by volunteers, complete with track plan of Cowley Bridge Junction, signals, bells, and a lever frame. The operators control the movement of the trains via the signals and points that are operated by the levers, with the bells confirming the actions.

19/06/2025

Only two more days until our annual tram event on 21-22 June! Here's another of our exhibitors: Gordon Bartlet – narrow gauge tramway ¾ inch scale. This layout will be situated next to the Tramway Arms. Although the models are to the same scale as the Tramway Arms it shows narrow gauge trams using a track gauge of 2⅝”. There will be a number of models running including Bournemouth 85, Poole 3, Taunton 6, Exeter 16, Llandudno 4 and Karachi 103. Some of these trams run using live overhead others are battery powered.

19/06/2025

Ready for this year's tram event 21-22 June: The Tramway Arms is a modular layout built to the large scale of 1:16, (3/4"=one foot). The track gauge is 3.5 inches wide, and the layout sets out to recreate the street running scenes of the first generation of British tramways. The tram models are accurate examples of prototypes that once ran in cities such as Portsmouth and Southampton. The models collect their operating power (24v max) from the overhead wire in a similar fashion to the real trams that these models are based upon.

The layout is operated by members of the Sussex, Solent and West of England Area Groups of the Tramway and Light Railway Society, who will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
The model trams in this scale are around 2 feet long, and the layout has 27 feet of track making it very impressive to see. Although this layout has been at every one of our events, it changes the track layout and the trams running every year.

07/06/2025

This is a reminder that the Solent Sky Tram Event will be held at the Museum on the 21st and 22nd of June. This will be our fifth event and again will of course feature our three full sized trams as well as at least a dozen model tramway and railway layouts ranging from N gauge to 3/4 inch scale. There will also be a number of trade stands.

Come to see Southampton Domed Roof car 11 which is now on wheels on track – for the first time in over 75 years. You can also see Southampton open top tram 38 and Lisbon 715.

There will be some returning model tram and railway exhibits as well as new layouts.

The Museum is the home of the Spitfire and the largest flying boat operation in the world - 20 aircraft are on display from the golden age of aviation as well as the Hampshire Police and Fire Museum.

27/05/2025

24/01/2025

We are very sorry to inform our followers that our former Project secretary, Nigel Smith, lost his battle with cancer early this morning. He had just turned 75.

Nigel, along with his wife Angela, took a leading role in our project from the outset. He was a calm, measured and wise influence over many years, right up to the end.

We send our deepest sympathy to Angela at this difficult time.

Rest in peace, dear Nigel, we'll all miss you.

22/01/2025