The major overhaul on Gateshead 10 (Grimsby & Immingham 26 as it was last time it ran) at Beamish has continued to make progress over the last few weeks. The tram is now back at ground level – albeit not yet back on its bogies – with lots of work going on to return the tram to operational fleet.
A recent update on the overhaul provided on the Beamish Transport and Industry Blog has given information on some of the progress being made on the tram. This has include work on the destination boxes (which are currently removed from the tram) whilst the bogies have been tested out on the tramway. This has seen them (both sets) towed by Newcastle 114 to make sure that everything was at it should be to allow further work to take place, including the fitting of brake components and painting.
10 has now lost the majority of its green British Railways paintwork it received when it returned to its Grimsby & Immingham identity in 2012, originally due to be for a limited period but turning out to be for over 10 years! Its being recognisable as a Gateshead tram once more and when it returns to service (hopefully in 2023 – which is also the 50th anniversary of the Beamish tramway) it will look better than it has done for a long-time!
Gateshead 10 inside the depot at Beamish with Blackpool 31 for company alongside. You can still see some evidence of green paint and the crimson of Gateshead is just an undercoat so much more paint attention will follow once other parts of the overhaul have been completed. (Photograph by Trevor Hall, 6th November 2022)