As preparation for their “Power from the Past” event (taking place 16th-18th April 2010 – and British Trams Online will provide coverage from day one of the event!) Beamish have recently started work on two trams (well one tram and one works vehicle) - Blackpool Marton Box 31 and Blackpool Tower Wagon 749.
Marton Box 31 is to undergo a repaint into “works green” livery as the theme of “Power from the Past” is “Corporations & Contractors”. To enable this repaint to take place some side panels were removed and then replaced whilst the end dash panels have been prepared for repaint with some areas being treated for rust patches. The latest progress on 31 has seen the beading on the side panels re-fixed. The tram is due to be returned to its Red, White and Teak livery in time for a starring role in the 125th anniversary celebrations in Blackpool.
Meanwhile work has commenced on Tower Wagon 749 to make it fit for display during “Power from the Past” (749 will not be able to be operated during the event but will be on static display). An engineering conservator has been contracted to carry out work to the bearings/journals, paintwork and structure of the vehicle. Loose paint is being cleaned off and then the woodwork is being treated with conservation wax. If anyone wishes to contribute, Beamish are still looking for sponsorship for the work on the Tower Wagon – contact Transport Curator, Paul Jarman at Beamish Museum.
The trackwork at Foulbridge is nearing completion with the new drainage sections currently being fitted, before a start is made on the filling in and surfacing of the track – this is likely to take place when the final sections of unmade road at the Museum are eradicated.
* Photos of the latest progress on both 31 and 749 and all other transport at Beamish can be found by following the link below to the official Beamish Transport Blog.
Source: Beamish Transport Blog