Sunday 1st September was the last opportunity to enjoy a ride on Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 at Beamish ahead of its departure from the north east to return to Crich, where it was last seen for a brief spell in 2014. On the day – another busy and sunny day at Beamish – it was part of a four tram service operating around the museum and amongst the many visitors was David Maxwell.
40 ran with Sheffield 264 on the anti-clockwise circuit whilst in the clockwise direction saw Blackpool 31 and Newcastle 114 in operation. With the two Blackpool cars running in opposite directions it provide for a number of photographic opportunities of the two together – with these two trams likely to not be meeting up for the foreseeable future. At the end of the day and 40 retired to depot and preparations are well underway for its trip down to Derbyshire and an extended stay at the Crich Tramway Village where it is expected to make its debut during the Crich 60 event on 21st and 22nd September.
40 and 31 meet at Foulbridge, both heading in opposite directions but according to their destinations aren’t going to end up far from each other!
Last time 40 went to Crich it met up with Newcastle 114 which was also on loan for the Electric 50 event. The two are seen here at the Entrance.
40 loads passengers at Pockerley.
40 has now reached the town with one of the museum’s buses following close behind.
From the top deck of 114 we see 40 again at the Entrance.
Our last view here shows 40 leaving the Entrance for another anti clockwise circuit. (Photographs x7 by David Maxwell, 1st September 2019)
On 3rd September and 40 is almost ready for departure to Crich with lifeguards and trolley removed. The tram stands on road 1 in the depot waiting for its ride home. (Photograph by Trevor Hall, 3rd September 2019)