A trip to Beamish is on the cards for today’s instalment of Picture in Time as we feature a tram which at this time was an open topper numbered 1 but it better known as Sheffield 264.
Built in 1907 264 was originally a double deck balcony car before being rebuilt in 1926 with a fully enclosed top deck. Renumbered 342 in the late 1930s the tram was finally withdrawn from service in 1956 although for its last few years it had only seen peak time usage. 342 was preserved and was initially displayed at the Clapham Transport Museum before it headed north on behalf of the Northern Tramway Sponsors to the premises of Consett Iron Company. Whilst at Consett the tram was repainted into Gateshead colours and had become an open top tram owing to the poor condition of the top deck. It also received the number 1.
It is this condition that we see the tram at Beamish in 1982 with the top deck proving to be more popular with passengers. On the left two men are seen peering at the back wheels of the tram.
Photograph by John Hampton