In our modern world, public transport is largely seen as a means to an end, hopefully getting us from A to B with as little inconvenience, and as quickly as possible. But imagine a bygone age, when getting there was as much a part of the excitement as the anticipation of arriving at a final destination. Travel at a more leisurely pace, allowing you time to experience the rich flora and fauna of your surroundings, as you make your way from quaint seaside resort to ancient market town, or vice versa. Where customer service is the norm, and punctuality and reliability are rarely in doubt, welcome to Seaton Tramway.

Originally starting as one man's dream, Seaton Tramway today caters for in excess of 100,000 passengers a year and has become one of Devon's major tourist attractions. Its beginnings however were much more humble.

During the 1940s, Claude Willington Lane ran a Barnet-based company, building battery powered electric vehicles like milk floats. However, his real passion was for trams and, having built one in the late '40s, Claude would operate it at village fetes, rallies and other local events. Motivated by the success of these ventures, Lane then decided to run it for summer seasons at Bexhill and Rhyl, before negotiating a lease for a permanent site at Eastbourne in 1953.

The venture flourished, with several more trams being added to the fleet, but with increased traffic in Eastbourne during the 1960s, the tramway's future was under threat. Lane needed a more suitable site to operate his trams, and started looking elsewhere in the country. In 1966 an opportunity finally presented itself when, as a result of Dr Beeching's railway plans, the Seaton to Seaton Junction branch line was closed. After much public debate permission was finally granted in 1969, and the mammoth task began of moving the Eastbourne infrastructure and equipment to the new site at Seaton in Devon.

Tram car No 8 ran the very first service on 28th August 1970, being powered by a separate battery car as there were no overhead cables at this time. Sadly, Claude Lane was to pass away unexpectedly prior to the much anticipated 1971 full season and it was left to his business partner, Allan Gardner, and a band of enthusiastic volunteers to ensure that his dream would be realised.

Ten years of hard work followed before the line was completed to its present length, and during that time the fleet size increased. To commemorate the tramway's Silver Jubilee, the Seaton terminus was rebuilt in the Edwardian style, adding much to both town and tramway. Improvements were also made at Colyton station and the Riverside main depot the following year.

Today Seaton Tramway continues to thrive, and has a diverse fleet of trams representing all ages of vehicles from around the country. The tram featured in the photograph above is car No 12, originally built in 1966 but rebuilt as a freestyle open topper in 1980 and 1999. Seaton Tramway also operates driver instruction courses, either a single journey or full shift, for those that are interested in having a go themselves.