Change for Beamish’s transport events in 2022

Over recent pre-Covid years Beamish had developed their annual transport events leading to an annual four day Great North Steam Fair with lots of different forms of transport all competing for space around the museum site. But now after a review of their operations, 2022 will see a change to this pattern and two separate two day events will take place – one in April and one in September. Whilst they aren’t specifically tram related, trams do run during them so we feature a quick look at what is planned.

The two events will be:

  • 9th and 10th April: Beamish Steam Gala
  • 10th and 11th September: Beamish Transport Gala

The April event will mainly be dominated by steam exhibits including around 20 road steam engines and rollers. But it wont just be steam vehicles as Beamish have acknowledged that one of the big draws of the previous events was the mixture of vehicles and so 25 internal combustion vehicles will also be visiting for the event.

The tramway will also be running along with the Pockerley Waggonway, Colliery Railway and narrow gauge lines.

The second main event of the year will mainly be concentrating on post-1930s road vehicles although as with the April event there will still be a mixture of traction with some steam powered vehicles also in action around the museum site.

More generally transport wise there will be “Transport Collection Thursdays” on the second Thursday of the month from April to October plus every Thursday from 28th July to 25th August. This will see at least one locomotive running at the Colliery and other exhibits from the collection operating around the museum site.

Outside of events and staff challenges this year also mean that the Waggonway will only be running in the main at weekends, Rowley Station will see no operation at all and that the Colliery Railway will only be used at the previously mentioned event days including the “Transport Collection Thursdays”.

Meanwhile, the tramway should run every day the museum is open although its not clear yet when services may resume around the complete museum circuit.

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