End of the line in sight for Upwell to Wisbech Tramway Project

The fundraising target is now within reach for the sixth and final Wisbech to Upwell Tramway Memento thanks to local donations.

Thanks to the generosity of organisations and individuals the Well Creek Trust is now only £500 short of the amount required for the installation of the sixth and final Wisbech to Upwell Tramway Memento.

Wisbech Town Council has provided £1,000 in financial support to “Phase Six” and, just recently, Wisbech-based company Icon Engineering delivered the Memento structure and very kindly waived the labour costs for their work.

Trust member and project leader, Bill Smith said: “We have been very fortunate throughout all the phases, there have been some outstanding donations without which this project would not have been possible.”

Bill continued: “I will always remember an old work colleague approaching me with a ten-pound note in his hand insisting I took it, he said he wanted to contribute.

“He is passionate about local history especially the old Tramway. He continued to say he followed the Tram Project since it started and had enjoyed stopping off at each memento location to reminisce.

“It is those comments that reminded me of why I embarked on this project, it is satisfying to know all the work carried out by so many people is appreciated.”

Following Cambridgeshire County Council’s approval for the location of the final Memento adjacent to Elm Road opposite the Fire Station where the Tramway crossed the road and headed towards the old Wisbech East Station Bill and his friend, Henry Gentile set about hand-digging the foundations.

They were also delighted when neighbours living close to the site added their support by delivering buckets of water in wheelbarrows so that concrete could be mixed and the base completed ready for the installation.

So, right now the final push to raise funds is underway, and if you would like to donate contact the Well Creek Trust via their website.

To learn more about the story of the Tram Project go to the website www.wellcreektrust.org.uk and select the Tramway tab.

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 on May 20, 1966.

Remembering the Wisbech to Upwell 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 village of Emneth (1953 -1965).

The Railway Series was written by Rev Awdry with later editions by his son Christopher and was published in 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 Wisbech to Upwell Tramway.