The trams owned by the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust are once again on public display after the reopening of the Tram Shed to the public on Saturday 1st April (an official reopening had taken place the previous day). It had been closed to the public since 14th November 2022 and during that time there have been some changes with the trams now joined by some other vehicles as part of a “Made in Sunderland” exhibition.
All of the trams which were in the building – along with Bradford Trolleybus 835 – remain situated there although there has been a little bit of a move around to allow the new exhibition to be housed. As a reminder the trams which can be found on site are Blackpool trams Centenary 647, Twin Car 674+684 and Balloon 721 as well as Graz 210 and Krefeld 412.
The re-jig of exhibits means that both the 210 and 412 are more easily accessible to visitors whilst Balloon 721 has been moved forward and the Bradford trolleybus (which has now been painted in grey primer) is on display behind this.
The new “Made in Sunderland” exhibition celebrates the manufacturing industry in the city. It consists of a Clan Crusader, an early Nissan Bluebird and examples of electric cars which have also been built by Nissan.
Also to be found in the shed are three lorries and a Green Goddess fire engine.
- The North East Land Sea and Air Museum can be found at Old Washington Road in Sunderland. It is open Tuesday-Sunday 1000-1600 with last admissions one hour before closing. Tickets cost £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for children and £3.50 for the over 60s (card payments only). More details on the NELSAM website at https://www.nelsam.org.uk/.
A general view of the shed with Twin Car 684+674 on the left. The Clan Crusader is the car closest to the camera followed by the Bluebird and then the electric cars.
The Nissan Leaf is in front of Balloon 721 with the Bradford trolleybus out of sight behind. Centenary 647 is on the left and we also see part of the Twin Motor Car, 674, too.
A better view is now afforded of Centenary 647 from the other end.
This is Graz 210 which is now more easily accessible for visitors to view.
Centenary 647 – with evidence of a previous pink livery under the plain yellow it currently wears – with Balloon 721 on the far left. In front of the Balloon Car is Bradford trolleybus 835 which is in grey primer.
And the last of the trams in the shed is Krefeld 412, which like the Graz car, is now more easily accessible. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 4th April 2023)