We’ve recently seen one Newcastle tram made available for service again – 114 at Beamish after a protracted motor overhaul – and now another one is on the road to return. This time we are talking about Newcastle 102 which has been in the Workshops at Crich for over three years and is now in the final stages of its major overhaul.
After excellent progress on the tram’s overhaul – which is being funded by the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation – has continued in recent weeks, 102 is now able to run under its own power with early October seeing it moving under its own power for the first time within the Workshop. The testing/commissioning process has continued since with Wednesday 6th October seeing it out onto the mainline for the first time and further testing, which is initially confined to the street section of the track whilst the museum is closed, came on Sunday 10th October.
This is a major milestone in the work but further testing to discover whether there is anything which needs rectifying will be needed before the tram is cleared for service.
At the same time as Newcastle 102’s testing. London Passenger Transport Board 1622 is also continuing its own testing ahead of a return to service. Whilst the 2021 season is now drawing to a close (last opening day for 2021 at Crich will be Sunday 31st October with the museum open Saturday to Thursdays until then plus Friday 29th October – except for Wednesday 20th October which is a members only day) with any luck 2022 will see both trams joining the main operating fleet once more.
Other work recently undertaken by the Workshop team has seen further paneling stripped from Blackpool 298 ahead of the main restoration work on the Brush Railcoach taking place. Meanwhile, London United Tramways 159 is now back on its trucks and under test. You may recall back at Tram Day in September the tram was moved into the Workshop and in the four weeks since then it has been lifted, the truck worked on and everything put back together to allow it to be tested on the mainline. Last running in 2019, 159 has had issues with derailing at Crich and it is hoped this work will help to reduce these occurrences.
Newcastle 102 has just headed out onto the mainline and is seen using the crossover just outside the depot.
102 down at Town End, basking in the evening sunshine.
102 departs from Town End using the crossover as it heads north.
The interior of the tram has also been restored during this work. This is the lower deck.
Further paneling has now been stripped from Blackpool 298. We see the tram here in the depot with MET 331 for company. (All Photographs by Peter Whiteley)