With the proposed start date for public tram services at Beamish edging ever closer (the plan was for services to commence from Saturday 4th September) driver re-familiarisation has been continuing over the past few days with Oporto 196 the tram mainly used for this although Blackpool 31 has also made some trips out onto the tramway. While a lot of these trips have taken place with the museum closed the trams have also been seen out and about by visitors offering a tantalising glimpse of what is to come in the coming weeks.
As a reminder when tram services resume they will not be able to run a full circuit with some maintenance works required on the section between Foulbridge and the Town along with some Covid related operational issues. It is planned that trams will run from Foulbridge (by the tram depot) around the museum tramway to the east end of the town via the Entrance and Pockerley. The point bias has been altered at the Town to allow trams to run onto the outer track giving a better surface for passengers to alight.
It is hoped that at some point in the autumn trams will be extended further into the town but that is reliant on amending the current Covid protocols in the town, specifically the queuing arrangements for the Sun Inn and sweet shop.
Oporto 196 arrives at Foulbridge from the Entrance with a driver re-familiarisation run. Not the Not In Service signs in the saloon windows.
The trolley is turned to allow 196 to head back round the tramway once more.
The trams may have been quiet so far in 2021 but that’s not the case for the buses as newly restored Leyland Cub Crossville 716 has now entered service. This second access bus has been used on an on call basis so far and its use is dependent on the availability of suitably trained staff which will increase as time goes on.
A look inside the depot where Sunderland 16 sits directly in front of us with Blackpool 31 and Sheffield 264 alongside. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 25th August 2021)