Many of the UK’s transport museums enjoy some much needed downtime between the end of October Half Term and Easter – except for a few Santa Specials – but this doesn’t actually mean that nothing happens, far from it! In the case of the East Anglia Transport Museum the period since the last of their Santa Specials in December has seen further track replacement work which has now reached a conclusion to enable test trams to operate.
Last winter a considerable amount of trackwork was replaced on Tramway Avenue but there was still some further track which needed attention and it is that section which was ripped up and replaced over this winter. Most of the work was undertaken by volunteers from the Museum but when it came to resurfacing the road – which has again seen tarmac used rather than traditional cobbles, not something for the purists maybe but it certainly leaves a smoother surface which is quite handy for the sections where trolleybuses also run! – specialist contractors were brought in.
Following the completion of the work two test trams were used on Friday 18th March to make sure that everything was as it should be. These were stalwart Blackpool Standard 159 and Sheffield 513 which remains at Carlton Colville on loan from Beamish.
With no problems reported it is all systems go ahead of the new season. The East Anglia Transport Museum reopens to the public on Friday 25th March and will then have its first special event on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March which is the Start of Season Easter Gala. The Museum then settles into its regular opening pattern of every Thursday and Sunday until June when it is also open on Saturdays. It is also open on Bank Holidays and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during local school holidays.
To plan your trip visit their new website at http://www.eatransportmuseum.co.uk/.
Blackpool 159 tests the new track. Note the star in place on the front of the tram.
And Sheffield 513 also tests the track on Friday 18th March. (Both Photographs by Tim Major)