One of the most elusive trams of the national collection is set to enjoy a rare period in the limelight ahead of a change of ownership. Oporto C65 was acquired by the National Tramway Museum in 2005 but upon transfer from Portugal was immediately stored at Clay Cross and has not actually been seen in public since. However all that is now set to change with news that the tram is set to move to Beamish but not before it is one of the stars of Tram Day on Saturday 10th September.
The annual Tram Day – previously known as Enthusiasts’ Day – will also see other ownership changes with Chesterfield 8 and the South Staffordshire Tramways Truck becoming official members of the national collection. But by far the most exciting tram set to transfer ownership (well in this writer’s opinion anyway!) is Bournemouth 85 which will move from the closed Museum of Electricity in Christchurch to Crich in the near future.
Oporto C65 was built in 1933 by the Public Transport Company of Porto and was originally used to transport coal. It was deemed surplus to requirements on its home system and was acquired by the Tramway Museum Society, making the move to Derbyshire in 2005. However instead of finding a home at Crich it was put into storage at Clay Cross and has remained there ever since. In the meantime Crich had also taken ownership of the Croydon Tramlink KLV which it was felt could provide more flexibility for maintenance work. A recent review of some trams in the collection decided that C65 would find a more active future with another Museum and so a resolution was put forward to transfer ownership of C65 to Beamish at the recent AGM. This resolution was passed and so C65 will become the second tram to be transferred between the two organisations in recent years further cementing the good relationships enjoyed between tram organisations across the UK.
However before the tram moves to the northeast it is to play a starring role at Tram Day which this year will focus on changes within the collection. It will be displayed alongside fellow Oporto trams horse car 9 and electric car 273 during the event. Further details of Tram Day are expected to follow ahead of the event – keep an eye on British Trams Online for the latest news.
Speaking about the transfer Paul Jarman, Assistant Director Transport & Industry at Beamish, said: “We are delighted to be considered by the Tramway Museum as a suitable home for No.65 and it further strengthens the excellent working relationship that we have built up between the museums over the years. We have wanted to add a works tram to the fleet at Beamish for some years and the chance to obtain a complete vehicle such as this is a rare one indeed! It is our intention to overhaul and recommission No.65 and use it as part of the very popular tram driving experience courses we run, also benefiting our existing fleet by alleviating the wear and tear on these trams. We very much look forward to the tram’s arrival at Beamish and its entry into service in due course. This is also a great reflection on the mature collecting policy museums need to adopt to ensure their collections endure, with appropriate disposals every bit a part of that policy as new acquisitions and it is very pleasing to see the enhancements to the Crich Tramway Village collections which are taking place courtesy of the National Railway Museum”.
The transfer of Chesterfield 8 and the South Staffordshire truck will not see any changes for these two objects as they are already at Crich on loan and are major exhibits within the Great Exhibition Hall. Horse tram 8 has seen occasional use whilst at Crich but its outside appearances have been confined to special events over the past few years. As for the South Staffordshire truck although it is not an exhibit which gets the pulse racing as many of the trams do it covers an important part of tram history as it represents an important part of the history of tramway engineering from the early 1890s and allows us to directly compare how later tramcar trucks and bogies evolved from this form.
It has also been confirmed that Bournemouth 85 will soon be moving to Crich with ownership of this tram also being transferred from the National Railway Museum. 85 remains stored in a closed museum and had an uncertain future until recently but its transfer will see it able to help to tell the story of the tramcar in the UK. 85 is a 3ft 6in gauge tram built in 1914 and following closure of the Bournemouth system was sold on to Llandudno where it enjoyed several more years of service before being preserved and joining the collection at the Museum of British Transport.
Bob Gwynne, Associate Curator of Collections and Research at the National Railway Museum, said: “Following the closure of the Museum of British Transport at Clapham in 1973 this tramcar went to the museum in Christchurch. Administration of this loan in recent times moved from the Science Museum to ourselves and we’ve been tasked with finding a new home for the vehicle since the museum at Christchurch closed. We’re delighted that this significant survivor from the tram era will now have a permanent home at the National Tramway Museum, where it can play a valuable part in the story of travel by street tram.”
Laura Waters, Curator at Crich Tramway Village, said: “The changes that are taking place with our Designated collection of vehicles, reflects one of our guiding principles, which is to promote the permanent preservation of tramway vehicles and equipment, and to work with other organisations to achieve this. We have long established relationships with both Beamish the Living History Museum of the North, and the National Railway Museum, and the transfers we are doing now between the organisations, are just the next step in the care and preservation of the four items. Our collection here at the Museum continues to grow and change, which is an exciting and challenging prospect for everyone involved with the Museum. It never ceases to amaze me how rich and fascinating the history of tramways is, and that each time we add something to the collection, we get to share that intrigue and fascination with our visitors here at the Museum.”
Oporto Works Car C65 sits in Clay Cross. On 10th September it will be star of the show at Crich for the annual Tram Day.
A familiar sight at Crich but now a permanent sight. Chesterfield 8 is set to be officially transferred to the national collection.
The South Staffordshire Tramway truck will also change ownership on 10th September. (All Photographs courtesy of Crich Tramway Village)
Excellent news. Now lets hope common sense prevails and 59 moves to Blackpool.
I’d much rather see it running at Crich, there’s definitely a traffic requirement for another big open topper and 59 would be a far more interesting choice than Newcastle 102, and with those two grand staircases on each end it would presumably be a lot quicker to load/unload than 102 or LUT 159.
I’d have to say I’d prefer it to be running where it was designed to run. A unique opportunity to do so. Speed of boarding is hardly relevant at Crich! I was also told that they don’t want to operate it because they are scared of the end loading in case of accidents.
And another thing – if it goes through the Crich workshops it won’t be done in any of our lifetimes as there is already a queue!
Loadings times are largely irrelevant in preservation indeed arguably on a small running lines prudent to encourage passengers to take their time and drive slower to extend experience. Numerous high profile Crich personnel have expressed concerns about something with its loading configuration and size operating and also were very keen to stress numerous priorities above it.
Thankfully seems overwhelming consensus that recognises its long term future lies in its spiritual home tramway. Its really now a case of realising these aspirations through a joint initiative between the groups.
Id rather not dwell on 59 tonight though lets focus on this welcome steps with other groups means greater access and security in terms of ownership now exist.
I totally agree. And while we’re about it, what about OMO5 as well? Another long-term resident at Clay Cross which Laura and co would rather we forgot about.
I think its rather unfair to criticise ‘Laura and co’ when they have just given a tram to another museum! As Paul says, properly planned schemes to benefit trams which are currently off-site deserve to be considered. It is to the credit of the TMS that they appear to be doing this more than in the past, with Gateshead 52 and now the coal tram departing for new homes.
These are collective, not individual, decisions and, whether you agree with these decisions or not, you are wrong to personally criticise a dedicated officer of the NTM. An apology would not be inappropriate!
Really is not helpful at all Franklyn. Using the site for personal attacks really beyond pale and really everyone should condemn it. Enormous progress has been made with interworking and collaborations. No evidence they would rather forget it as you claim. Laura Waters far from been a villain seems to be one pushing for reform and well regarded key member of the efforts to enhance uk tram preservation
Maybe let Blackpool get their own OMO car running before demanding that Crich drop theirs on them as well? Also, I find your personal attack on a dedicated member of Crich staff to be absolutely disgusting.
Its another step in the right direction and cautiously welcome it. Hopefully the catalyst for bigger bolder changes to the composition of the various collections.
Certainly agree with Chris that it is a small step in the right direction.
I don’t expect a mass exodus of trams from the National Collection and nor should there be, however, at least for the trams currently in off site store at Clay Cross any properly planned scheme which includes suitable secure accommodation and realistic finances ought to be given due consideration. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean a change of ownership, only of stewardship. Less than half of the National Railway Collection is on display at York or Shildon at the same time…
As Gareth wrote this article I must add my views that this is absolutely brilliant news. A Bournemouth tram in the national collection is very exciting for me, especially one in a decent condition! As for Oporto C65, whilst I’m not the biggest fan of this tram I am pleased that it will be going to a good home where it can be put to good use. For now I’m really looking forward to the Oporto line-up at Crich; for anyone who has asked the museum to ‘do something different’ at enthusiast events, I hope you’re happy, I know I am!!
Some really positive news involving Crich, Beamish and the NRM, but the same old suspects, the serial Crich-bashers, manage to turn it into an attack on the NTM, which they seem to see as having misappropriated trams form all around the country. As far as 59 and OMO5 are concerned you have to ask yourself why they are at Clay Cross, and what the alternative would have been at the time they were acquired ? And this applies to most of the NTM collection.
As for returning them to their ‘spiritual home’ is concerned, can these vociferous critics demonstrate that the spiritual home wants them back, is able to restore them to museum condition on a more timely basis than Crich and can guarantee to operate them for the long-term? My feeling is that their prospects are most secure where they are. Criticss should be happy that well-planned, and executed, exchanges and transfers between museums are taking place and should not be drifting into paranormal pipe-dreams.
Sounds like a win/win all round to me.