Ambitious target set for Sheffield 264 restoration

Having taken a bit of a back seat recently, the Beamish Museum tramway is currently the focus of much greater activity than has been the case for some time, with plans now in place for work to commence on Sheffield 264. This tram has been stored out of service for a considerable length of time and requires major workshop attention, which has been in the pipeline for several years. However, with several long-running projects now approaching completion, it is hoped to commence work later on this year.

It has been confirmed that the museum hopes to transfer the lower deck of 264 to their timber shop during the autumn, indicating that the tram will be split into two sections as part of the process of stripping it down before reconstruction can get seriously underway. The work to return this tram to a pristine condition will be considerable, with major body work and a complete new underframe expected to be required, but the museum has already stated that they hope the tram will be completed by spring 2015. This would allow somewhere in the region of 18 months to completely rebuild the tram, and if this is achieved then it will be a very impressive achievement! As quite some time has elapsed since the last full restoration of a Beamish tram took place, it is pleasing to see such investment in Sheffield 264 and even if the ambitious target for its return to operation has to be extended, the results should ensure that this beautiful tram will be fit for many years of service.

Meanwhile, work has finally started on Sunderland 16, around a year after this car was withdrawn due to worn tyre profiles. As well as the necessary re-tyring work, the tram is to be re-varnished and will also receive some minor paintwork attention, including the application of the ‘Binns’ adverts that are associated with Sunderland trams. 16’s return will take some pressure off Sunderland 101 (ex-Blackpool 703), currently the only operational enclosed double-deck tram at Beamish, which has itself required some remedial attention recently to keep it on the road. Although undoubtedly a very useful addition to the tram fleet, maintaining 101 in good condition has proved to be a challenge as the car was already showing its age long before it left Blackpool, and so hopefully its mileage can be reduced once the work on car 16 is completed.

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1 Response to Ambitious target set for Sheffield 264 restoration

  1. Ken Walker says:

    Photographs on the Beamish Transport Online website of the 2 decks of 264 being separated and the lower deck being removed from the truck today.

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