2013 was a significant year for the tramway at Beamish, as it was the 40th anniversary of the first trams running. To mark the occasion a couple of trams were loaned to the museum one of which was Glasgow 1068 from Crich, a tram which had only been returned to service temporarily the previous year for the Glasgow commemorations in Derbyshire.
The build up to the event was problematic with snowy conditions causing issues with trams being delivered to the north east, so much so that Glasgow 1068’s arrival was a bit later than planned. Because of these delays it actually arrived at Beamish during the Our Friends Electric event instead of being there from the start but when it did arrive on 5th April 2013 it added an extra spectacle for visitors with it being unloaded in front of the depot during the museum’s opening hours. It was swiftly commissioned for service and was used for the first time on 6th April before being used regularly until 23rd April when it was loaded for a return trip to Crich.
1068 is unloaded at Beamish on 5th April. In the background three other trams look on in
On 13th April 2013, 1068 was running in service at Beamish and is seen here just leaving the town on a circuit of the tramway.
Also on 13th April and 1068 accelerates past a steam crane. (All Photographs by Gareth Prior)