As part of the “Remaking Beamish” redevelopment at the museum it is planned that eventually the new 1950s town will have an operating trolleybus route. In preparation for this, Beamish has been the home of Newcastle trolleybus 501 for a number of years (stored in the tram depot) and this has now been joined by another trolleybus – Teesside 11.
Teesside 11 was built for the Reading trolleybus system in 1961 and after withdrawal in Berkshire made the journey north in 1969, entering service in April 1969. It would only be operational in Teesside for a couple of years with the system there closing in 1971 – but 11 (renumbered T291 by then) would be the official last trolleybus. It was soon preserved and has been seen at practically ever operational preserved trolleybus line in the UK since – Sandtoft, East Anglia Transport Museum and Black Country Living Museum. With its northeast connection it will fit in well with the collection at Beamish and will be able to share trolleybus duties with 501 once the trolleybus route is put into operation.
Back to our normal fare of the trams, and recent progress at the museum has seen further work take place on the overhead of Gateshead 10. The trolley plans have now been fitted and the overhauled trolleybase has now been reinstated on the roof. Work on painting the window frames for the clerestory is underway and once that is done that will complete attention to the roof which will allow the scaffolding to be removed. More work is to come but good progress continues to be made.
Also, the motor for Sheffield 264 is now back at Beamish and is due to be fitted to the tram shortly which will then enable the tram to return to service in due course.
Teesside trolleybus 11 sits outside the tram depot having arrived a few days earlier. By the time you read this article it should have been moved within the tram depot.
Another shot of 11 outside the depot.
Inside the depot we take a look at Gateshead 10 which continues to have attention to its painwork although the complete livery will not be applied until other work has been done.
Out on the tramway on 9th October and there were three trams in service. This photo shows two of them: Newcastle 114 and Sunderland 16. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall)