For further photos of the project.
Please note this page is being updated regularly.
THE WISBECH TO UPWELL TRAM PROJECT
History of the Wisbech to Upwell Tramway
The Wisbech to Outwell Tramway opened as an experiment in 1883 and was extended to Upwell in 1884. At its peak, six trams a day in each direction provided passenger and, most importantly, freight services for local produce to Wisbech and then via the main railway link to larger towns and cities. Competition from the Outwell Omnibus Company started by Charles Robb in 1920 eventually ended passenger services in 1927. Freight continued until 1966 when it was cut as part of the “Beeching Axe”. The final tram journey took place May 20, 1966.
The Wisbech to Upwell Tramway was a rural standard gauge tramway constructed by the Great Eastern Railway. Although called a tram, in many ways it more closely resembled a conventional railway line (the difference between a tram and a train being that a tram operates on an unguarded track). The full one way journey took one hour. By October 1884 traffic had grown to 3000 passengers per week, with peaks of 2000 in a day for fetes and other special events. The tram being able to travel more than twice the speed of a canal boat (at 12 MPH) was direct competition to the canal that ran between Wisbech and Upwell and, with the canal being in a poor financial condition, eventually finished it off. Its success was one of the reasons for the Light Railways Act 1896…….. Originally the line used GER Class G15/LNER Class Y6 0-4-0T tram engines, which in accordance with Board of Trade regulations required side-plates and cowcatchers. These were replaced by more powerful 0-6-0T GER Class C53/LNER Class J70 and later by Drewry diesel 0-6-0DM (Class 04) shunters. One coach survives at (North Norfolk Railway) Sherringham. For a short time in 1930-1931 two LNER Class Y10 Sentinel geared steam locomotives were used. It was the first all diesel railway in the country.
Several books have been written about the history of the Tramway they include:
- The Wisbech to Upwell Tramway by Gadsden, Whetmath and Stafford-Baker (1966)
- The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway by Chris Hawkins and George Reeve (1982)
- The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway Centenary Album by Andrew Ingram (1983)
- Branch Line to Upwell by Vic Mitchell, Keith Smith and Andrew C Ingram (1995)
- The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway by Peter Paye (2009)
Route of the Wisbech to Upwell Tramway
The Reverend Audrey, The Railway Series, Thomas the Tank Engine
Remembering the Tramway is of importance for all living in the area but also for those much further afield – for rail aficionados and enthusiasts, for local history lovers and tourists and also for millions of fans of Thomas the Tank Engine the creation of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry who was vicar of the nearby village of Emneth (1953 -1965). The Railway Series which was written by Rev Awdry with later editions by his son Christopher and was published from 1945. The enormously popular TV series “Thomas & Friends” is a spin-off from the books.
Toby the Tram Engine and his coach, Henrietta and later, Mavis, the Drury diesel tram were all based on rolling stock used on the Tramway.
For more details see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Railway_Series
Rev Wilbert Awdry, with his wife, Margaret & family.(from left),Victoria,Christopher & Hilary; Emneth,Norfolk; Photo: Submitted via JH; Copy:Sue Skinner; For: EDP; EDP pics © 2003 Tel: (01603) 772434
About the Wisbech to Upwell Tram Project
The idea for the Wisbech to Upwell Tram Project came from a conversation, back in the early 1980s between William (Bill) Smith and Andrew Ingram (who had at that time written The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway Centenary Album -1983 and other branch line books). Andrew remarked that, “The people of Outwell and Upwell should have kept some reminders of the tramway. It would have elevated those two villages as there is a vast interest in the old railways”. Following that exchange, Bill decided to produce a tram memento for Outwell, the village in which he lives.
Bill first embarked upon producing a tram memento for the former tram yard site at Outwell and was given an old Norfolk County Council, spherical road sign marked “Outwell” that had been buried at Bexwell Airfield in1940 during the Second World War. It would eventually form the centre-piece of the Outwell Memento. Then, aided by his friends John Button and Tony Judd, he started to source discarded tram-related relics and other authentic railway materials. They spoke to staff at Bressingham Steam Museum who directed them to a railway “graveyard” at Hardingham in Norfolk. Bill was offered two full-size Victorian tram wheels fixed to an axle (these gave birth to the Upwell memento idea) and then also four rail chairs, four hardwood blocks and two authentic sleepers with sixteen period fixtures – many of the parts needed to make an installation for Upwell. These very early tram wheels and axle were designed to run on “bull-head rail” the same type used for the Wisbech to Upwell tramway. Help was also promised by Nene Valley railway enthusiasts – who offered other materials – and more volunteers lined up for restoration work
In April 2016 on behalf of the people of Outwell and Upwell, Bill submitted a planning application to the Borough Council King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (BCKLWN) for the two mementos to be located in the old tram yards of the two villages. The submission was supported by County Councillor Harry Humphrey, all BCKLWN Councillors, Outwell & Upwell Parish Councillors, local residents adjacent to each site and also the Middle Level Internal Drainage Board (at Outwell) and the Health Centre Managers (at Upwell). In addition, Michael Walsh (BCKLWN, Property Services) also gave his support and issued the licence that was required to enable the installation of phase two. Keith Wilkinson senior planning officer BCKLWN also fully supported the concept and coordinated the eventual approval for the Project to go ahead.
Phase One Tramway Goods Yard
The Outwell Memento (Phase one) was unveiled July 2016 by two of Outwell’s oldest residents, Norman Wenn and Iris Risebrow – pictured below with Bill Smith. A vast selection of historical photographs, from Bill’s collection was also put on display in St Clement’s Church. The photographs were collected by Bill over the past 40 odd years and resulted in him producing six local history books including the award winning “Discovering Upwell” book.
Welle Film Productions – a local film-making group – captured footage of the event with the intention of tracking the future progress of the Wisbech to Upwell Tram Project. https://youtu.be/Ix-8NOc9upE
Bill, a long serving member of the Well Creek Trust (WCT) invited them to act as fund-holders for the cash donations that were being pledged for the Project and agreed to adhere to their constitution. WCT, which serves to maintain the ‘survival for all time’ of another local amenity once earmarked for closure – the Well Creek Trust – was a natural choice of overseer as its members were already supporting the Project by devoting numerous hours of their time, resources, skills, energy and good will to making it happen.
Later that year the Project suffered a major setback involving ‘people and politics’ and a lengthy series of very unfortunate occurrences that saw the Upwell installation being put on-hold indefinitely and many of the railway materials that had taken so much effort to source were lost. These events caused much anxiety and stress to many local people, particularly Bill and his family, and cast a dark cloud over what to that point had been an enjoyable and rewarding process for all involved.
Fortunately the realisation of the importance for the local area came to the rescue and along with a substantial cash donation from an *enthusiastic newcomer the Project was put back on track. A memento committee was formed, primarily of WCT members, by Bill who approached Wisbech Town and Elm and Emneth Parish Councils with the aim of applying for grant funding to produce further mementos for installation not only at Upwell but also along the entire Tramway route.
Phase Two Upwell Goods Yard
To beat the expiry date of the original planning permission and with huge thanks to a five hundred pounds donation, planning started for the building and installation of the Upwell Tram Memorial to go ahead before the middle of August 2019. The securing of a grant of £250 from the BCKLWN’s Small Grant Scheme and an extremely generous contribution from local company, SDM Fabrication of March who provided their services free-of-charge. Their team ensured the installation finished on time and they built, transported and prepared the memorial ready for public display.
The event took place on Saturday 27th July and Bill Smith awarded the unveiling honour to ninety-year old Mary Williamson whose husband Bill was manager (until 1974) of Coote & Warren Ltd coal merchants who had a branch at the Upwell tram depot. Despite a downpour a good crowd turned out to witness the event and then attended the display of tram photographs and other memorabilia coordinated by Bill, assisted by Upwell WI and St Peter’s Church members. The whole day was again filmed by Welle Film Productions – look out for more details once editing has been completed. Link to film to follow.
Link to Tramway memento video, featuring phases 1 and 2: https://youtu.be/Ix-8NOc9upE
* With his preceding permission, we are now able to reveal that the enthusiastic newcomer was Edward (Ted) Harper of Lister’s Road, Upwell who, following a short illness sadly passed away on Sunday 20th October, 2019. Ted developed a profound love of Fenland and Upwell in particular. He was proud to call it his home and helped many deserving causes. His funeral took place in Bermondsey on 4th November, 2019.
Phase Three Lance Hunter-Rowe Boat Haven
Phase Three despite the Covid pandemic bringing most things to a halt, following delays, the unveiling of Phase Three, the Outwell Tram Memento took place on Saturday 11th September 2020 at the LanceHunter-Rowe Boat Haven.
The Outwell Goods Yard 1954 and the Wisbech Canal Intersection
Philip Doubleday, a founder of the Well Creek Trust, had the honour of unveiling the installation
see Phase 3-Welle Film Productions
This shows the 2 sides to the Phase Three memento at Outwell and illustrates the Basin Goods Depot and Outwell Depot. The Outwell Basin Goods yard was located in the civil parish of Emneth but was always described as being in Outwell.
Outwell Basin Goods Yard and Station
OUTWELL BASIN GOODS YARD AND STATION. The tram terminated here in 1883. The line was extended to Outwell Village and Upwell in 1884 and the carriage existed until 1966 where it was utilised as a waiting room and office.
Phase Four Memento Birds Corner (Boyce’s Bridge)
The Phase 4 Tram Memento was unveiled at Bird’s Corner on Saturday 4thNovember at 11am.It was built and donated by a local family-run,agricultural engineering business, Cousins of Emneth. The honour of unveiling the memento was shared by Norman Paget,a retired local Forage Merchant, and sisters Ariana and Alexandra Dixon who live opposite the new feature. Their mother told Norman that the girls were so excited they could not sleep the night before and were ready at daybreak on the unveiling day to see what was under the sheet
Phase Five Memento Located Outside B & Q Wisbech
Phase Five Memento Located by B&Q Wisbech
Whilst completing five months of work experience at local structural steelwork company SDM Fabrication LTD, Harvey Davies, from March, jumped at the chance to build, price and produce the Phase 5 Memento.
His employer (Richard Melton,Managing Director of SDM) mentioned the Tramway project and grabbed Harvey’s attention as he realised it was a fantastic opportunity to get involved in an important and interesting local amenity before finishing his work experience and setting off on his travels ahead of going to university.
Harvey was briefed on the requirements for the frame of the fifth memento by Bill Smith who was delighted when SDM and Harvey agreed to help and he commented that the whole project had only been achieved because of the wonderful generosity and support of local businesses, charities and volunteers who were willing to make donations and give up their spare time. Despite the extremely cold December weather, rail enthusiasts from near and far joined local historian, Bill Smith at 11am on Saturday 20 December 2023 when Richard Melton, MD of SDM Fabrication, had the honour of unveiling the 5th Memento, the last to be installed along the Norfolk section of the former tramway.
Richard explained that his company’s involvement of its youngest team member in the 5th Memento had allowed them to develop a deeper understanding of ways in which engineering could truly benefit communities. Involvement in this project represented a great opportunity for staff to understand the local impact of engineering, which through their work in developing and constructing the mementos, allowed them to contribute their own engineering expertise in a tangible way which would stand proud for many years to come.
James Self, Managing Director of Three Counties Miniature railways, whose father grew up near Wisbech just along from the Elm High Road, 5th Memento site, travelled specially from Basildon, Essex to bring along their latest project under construction to help mark the event–a replica GER Class G15 (LNER Y6) 0-4-0unit-which were built by Great Eastern Railway (GER) and ran regularly on the original Wisbech to Upwell steam tramway.
Also at the event was Brian Pearce, MBE of Railworld, Peterborough who explained that he first encountered the Tramway when riding his bicycle from Grimsby to London. A wheel got caught in the tracks at the point where the tram crossed over the A1101 at Elm-just outside the former Blacksmith’s Arms pub–and fell off–much to the amusement of those who were there for a drink. Since then he had continued to follow the history of the tramway along side his voluntary work at the Railworld Wildlife Haven, which resulted in his being awarded an MBE 2018. ”The Welle Film Productions footage of Phase 5 is being edited and a link will be added to this page as soon as the final cut is available.
Phase six Memento located close to the Wisbech Fire Station
Thanks to a £1000 grant from the Wisbech Town Council and further donations from Tram Memento supporters, work was completed on the Wisbech to Upwell Tram Memento, following a successful application from the Well Creek Trust and Wisbech to Upwell Tram Project.
The memento is located adjacent to the Old Elm High Road close to where the tram crossed the road to enter
the Wisbech East Station and Goods Yard. As with the previous five, the final memento is bespoke and
illustrates the area in which it is located.
Former Wisbech East Station and the Steam Tram
“On behalf of the Well Creek Trust and the Wisbech to Upwell Tram Project, I would like to say a big thank you to the Town Council” said Bill Smith (local historian and Trust member). “We have been supported with donations of services, time and money by local businesses including Icon Engineering and West Norfolk Print and Signs, by many, many volunteers and cash donors, culminating in a generous grant from the Wisbech Town Council.
This entire project is a testament to the many people who have backed this internationally famous feature in the heart of Fenland. Images of the old steam tram evoke numerous memories for locals and visitors and have been an inspiration for many. We can be assured our heritage is being preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Photos of the Unveiling
The Major of Wisbech unveiling the memento
Bill and the Major of Wisbech
Just some of the people who turned up to see the unveiling and the memento
Bill giving a short presentation on the Tram memento project
As can be seen, the memento has been made to the same high standard as the other mementos
WISBECH TO UPWELL TRAM BOOKS AND LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHERS
We are extremely fortunate that so many images of the tram have been recorded and
preserved for future generations to enjoy.
It would be very difficult to name them all but our appreciation goes to the following
aficionados.
Ref: the historical photographers.
Rev. Teddy Boston, Rev W Awdry, Wisbech & Fenland Musem, Cambs Libraries, Lilian
Ream, C Aldrich, Frederick Gardiner, R Fairhead, J Mews, Dr Ian Allen, C Moss, National
Railway Musem, W Whitworth A Garraway, R Gallaway, H Ellis, R Roberts, P Erwood, A
Cook, M Bland, M Elstan, L Baxter, J Robb, M Gates, E Woods, W P Smith, H Casserley, B
Nathan, J Stafford, B Hitton, G Drew, F Hornby, Eastern Daily Press, Fenland Citizen,
Wisbech Standard, Wisbech Advertiser, R Hurst, J Meredith, Stations UK, J Price, C Awdry,
W Naunton, Lens of Sutton, J Day, Aero Films, P/bor. Evening Telegraph, British Rail, J
Dewing, T Edrington, C Gillam, A Goult, The Gresley Society, P Groome, A Ingram,
Gulliver Collection, C Hennels, D Haywood, B Hilton, HGW Household Col, M James, K
Nunn, R Lynn, Mowat Col, Ken Paye, L Perkins, L Peters, Photomatic, L Sandler, London
Science Museum, D Thompson, P Townend, P Wells, Miss V Williams, P Whitehouse, Tom
Middlemas, R Riley, Ian Wright, E Course, J Davis, Fox Photo’s, J Baker, J Whetmath, E
Gadsden, Hulton Picture Library, Peter Paye, B Walsh, R Powell, Windwood Col, J Watling
and G Murfitt.
Apologies to those I may have missed.
PUBLICATIONS
Tram books:
The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway by C F D Whetmath and J Stafford-Baker 1966
The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway by Chris Hawkins & George Reeve 1982
The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway Centenary Album by Andrew Ingram 1983
Booklet to celebrate the centenary sponsored by Balding & Mansell ……… 1983
Branch Line to Upwell by V Mitchell- K Smith & A Ingram …………………. 1995
Branch Lines around Wisbech by Andrew Ingram ………………………………. 1997
The Wisbech & Upwell Tramway by Peter Paye……………………………………. 2009
Pictorial Journey down the Wisbech Canal by W P Smith ……………………. 2014
ISBN 978-0-9543997-3-3
Note:
Pictorial Journey down the Wisbech Canal is an account of the Canal and the Wisbech to
Upwell Tramway with maps, photographs and illustrations. It was the coming of the tram that
sealed the fate of the Wisbech Canal.
The tramway took the same path as the Wisbech Canal for much of its journey to Upwell.