UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee highlights safety, skills and guidance priorities

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway - Image Credit: Gareth Prior - British Trams Online

The recent UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee meeting reviewed progress across several priority workstreams supporting the safe and sustainable operation of heritage tramways. The meeting, held online on Tuesday, 27th January 2026, confirmed continued strong engagement from across the UK’s heritage tramway sector, with regular attendance from operators, the Isle of Man tramways and representation from Office of Rail and Road (ORR) / Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI).

Key discussions focused on safety management and shared learning following recent ORR/HMRI inspections, with the Committee continuing to develop a common ‘centre of excellence’ approach to addressing sector-wide issues.

Members also received updates on the successful progression of the Heritage Railways and Tramways (Voluntary Work) provisions, now incorporated into the Employment Rights Act.

Progress was also noted on updated guidance for the operation of horse trams, alongside ongoing technical work on wheel flange wear standards and early development of a peer audit approach between heritage tramways.

Skills and training featured strongly, with plans progressing for a new low-height OLE training facility at the National Tramway Museum, being developed in collaboration with UKTram, which aims to support heritage and potentially second-generation tramway operators.

The Heritage Tramway Committee continues to play a central role in supporting consistency and shared learning across the sector. The next meeting of the UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee will take place at Summer Lane in Birmingham, on Monday, 20^th April 2026.