One final trip to Beamish in this week’s “Picture in Time” as we take a look at a rather scruffy looking Sheffield 264.
Today if you think about Beamish’s Sheffield 264 (not to be confused by Crich’s Sheffield 264!) you will probably think of a resplendent tram with a nice bright and shiny coat of Sheffield Corporation blue and cream paint. But it hasn’t always been so as before its last overhaul it has spent some time looking a little less than pristine as it waited for some much needed works attention. These below photos are un-dated but may have been taken when 264 was displayed in the Town to gain publicity and support for its last overhaul during one of the April special events. They show 264 running in the Town showing how its paintwork needed some attention (and that’s not considering all the electrical and bodywork which was needed as well).
264 was built in 1907 and ran in Sheffield until 1956, by which time it had been renumbered 342. It was displayed at the Clapham Transport Museum before it returned north, eventually arriving at Beamish in 1973. Temporarily converted into an open topper and painted in Gateshead colours it ran like this until 1985 when it was restored to the open balcony condition we know today. Withdrawn again in 2002 a further restoration followed and it is now a regular performer in service.
Both Photographs by Colin Schorah
It might be controversial, but I really like to see transport vehicles showing at least a little wear and tear, as they would have been whilst in service. It always bugs me, and spoils the film, when you see modern films showing some time in the past, and all the cars, lorries and buses looking pristine!