Shortly before Christmas we saw the return of Dudley, Stourbridge & District 5 to service at the Black Country Living Museum following the completion of a major overhaul and in this edition of Picture in Time it is that tram we feature, but in its first period of operation in preservation.
Dudley, Stourbridge & District 5 was built in 1920 at the Tividale works to the standard Black Country gauge of 3’6”. Having only been in use for approximately 10 years the tram was withdrawn from service at the closure of its home system and having been sold on for further use found itself in use as a summerhouse for the best part of 43 years. The tram was rescued for preservation in 1973 and after restoration entered service at the Black Country Living Museum in 1980. After over 25 years it was withdrawn from service in need of attention which finally came from 2012 when 5 was transferred to the Llangollen Railway for an extensive overhaul to take place. This was finally completed back at the Black Country Living Museum allowing the tram to re-enter service in December 2017.
In this first October 1995 view we see 5 calling at one of the stops on the museum tramway. Of note is that the adjacent shelter is itself a tram!
Another view of 5, this time close to the Drift Mine.
Both Photographs by Peter Narramore