The major overhaul of Sheffield 264 at Beamish Museum reached a landmark this month, when the three main components which make up the tramcar were finally reunited. The upper deck, lower deck and truck have all been tackled separately but have now been brought back together as this project progresses towards completion.
We reported that, during September, 264‘s newly overhauled truck was taken for a test trip around the museum tramway, towed by Blackpool 31. This exercise was actually undertaken twice – both before and after the motors had been installed – to prove that the various refurbished and replaced parts were all working correctly. With this having passed satisfactorily, the lower deck was placed upon the truck and then the top deck was extracted from the museum’s workshops and placed on a low loader, allowing it to be moved outside the main sheds. With the bottom deck brought outside onto the depot track fan, a crane was used to carefully manoeuvre the top deck into position, allowing the tram to present a much more complete appearance and it made an impressive sight out in the sunshine. The top deck has received the least attention of all, having been essentially built in the 1980s when the tram was last overhauled and therefore it remained in a fairly good condition. However, the trolley base and other associated fittings were added prior to the parts being reunited whilst the roof was more accessible, and the replacement decorative iron railings around the open balconies are already in situ as well.
The next stage of this overhaul will see most of 264‘s electrical equipment refitted, most noticeably including the controllers, and it will also acquire some new replica light fittings which were omitted from its previous restoration. Work will also continue to progress on completing the fitting out of the lower deck interior, whilst the undercoats will be added soon. No timescale has yet been given for the tram’s return to service but if the current rate of progress then Sheffield 264 should be running regularly again next year after more than a decade out of action.
As an aside, to allow the largely complete Sheffield car to fit inside the work area in the lean-to shed (track 1) which forms part of the compact tram and bus depot complex at Beamish, the remains of Gateshead 52 have been moved onto track 4 in front of Blackpool 621, another future restoration candidate. It may be recalled that Sunderland 101/Blackpool 703 was derailed during the summer and placed off the tracks to allow greater flexibility with depot space. Even so, getting everything to fit was a rather tight squeeze – but hopefully a new bus shed will help this situation in the not too distant future!
An unusual view of Sheffield 264 with the top and bottom decks seen together, but apart - as the upper deck is craned onto the waiting lower deck. (Photo courtesy of the Beamish Transport & Industry Blog)