Monday 22nd March was an important day in the life of one of the most unfortunate preserved trams in the country – Gateshead 52. Since being moved from the National Tramway Museum store at Clay Cross to a new home at Beamish Museum in January 2014, the tram had been stored outside near the period Town area but on this day it was finally moved undercover for the first time since returning to the North East.
Scotts Heavy Haulage had provided a low loader to transport Blackpool 280 from Beamish to Heaton Park but before it could depart, the lorry was used to move the delicate remains of Gateshead 52 the short distance to the tram sheds. Once unloaded, the car was placed over the pit on depot road 3 to enable its truck to be inspected, before it was shunted to the back of road 1 inside the lean-to building alongside the main depot, with Blackpool 31 then being stabled in front. The removal of the tarpaulins used to protect the tram during its previous road journey and for the duration of its outside storage at the museum revealed the true horrors of its appalling condition. Following a devastating fire at Clay Cross several years ago, the already derelict tram body was almost completely gutted and the fire damage is all too evident now. One side of the tram was virtually destroyed, although enough of the framework survives to enable a restoration to take place, albeit a very extensive and costly one. Looking at the state of 52, Beamish Museum deserve full praise for offering sanctuary to the car and one day it will make a superb addition to their running fleet. As yet there is no firm timescale for this huge project to be undertaken, although a slot in the Regional Heritage Education Centre (where Sheffield 264 is currently being rebuilt) in late 2016 could allow work on the body to commence. The lack of surviving material will present many challenges however, not least the complete absence of any of the interior fittings – but we have no doubt that the expert team at Beamish will embrace this and produce another first class job!
Gateshead 52 is gently coaxed onto a low loader which was used to move it from outside storage to the sanctuary of the Beamish tram sheds.
Inside the depot and sans tarpaulin, the remains of Gateshead 52 do not make for a particularly pretty sight!
The view from above is no better! Note the bracing used to stablise the body frame for the journey from Derbyshire, along with clear signs of extensive fire damage. (Photos x 3 courtesy of the Beamish Transport & Industry Blog)
A fair bit of interior survives, it had been removed pre fire. Wish them all the best with it.