The North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust continue to make fantastic progress towards their goal of building a new depot at the site of the North East Sea, Land & Air Museum in Sunderland, in which to house their tram and trolleybus fleet. The group has recently received some new rail which has been laid in position, marking the visible start of work to get all of its trams undercover.
A number of concrete sleepers have also been obtained, and the track was laid on this, with work to level this out now at an advanced stage. It is in anticapted that the depot structure will be erected around the tracks, and this should also begin shortly. Before that happens though, further trams are expected to move to Sunderland, where Blackpool Balloon car 721 is already on site. This tram should soon be reunited with some old friends from Blackpool in the shape of Centenary car 647 and Twin set 674+684, both of which have been temporarily stored near Gateshead for the past year. It is also believed that the Trust are seeking to expand their vehicle collection, as the depot will provide space for up to twelve trams when complete. Although no firm plans are yet in place, this may see further Blackpool trams head to the North East whilst another car from overseas is also being considered.
Meanwhile, volunteers are also working hard on Blackpool 721 which is now in plain black following the removal of all of its advertising vinyls for the Pleasure Beach. After a heavy clean, focus has now switched to the roof which will require some work to rectify damage sustained when the car was first transported away from Blackpool in 2012. Since moving to Sunderland, it has also become apparent that 721 is leaking badly and so the roof will require some further attention to prevent water ingress from causing any more damage. This will be followed by a complete repaint in red and white, inspired by the Routemaster bus livery worn by sister car 701 in Blackpool some twenty years ago. It has previously been suggested that 721 will move to the Heaton Park Tramway for operation once the above work has been finished, although this is not confirmed at the time of writing. Whether this operating loan happens or not, 721‘s appearance will be much improved thanks to the NEETT volunteers’ efforts, and this, combined with their other projects, bodes extremely well for the future of this fast-rising organisation.
Wonderful News! Good work on 721, I’m amazed at the progress you guys have made compared to other groups, hopefully the other trams can move in soon. I’m looking forward to 647’s new livery in particular.