They’ve been described as the hardest working heritage trams in the UK and the operating fleet at Beamish is once again proving that with the museum continuing to be very busy with visitors (long queues to get in, announcements that the car park is full being regular occurrences). Whilst the trams do now have support from buses, as the museum continues to evolve, they are still running on all opening days on both the clockwise and anti clockwise circuits. This article provides a brief update on what is going on with the trams as well as taking a look at doing what they do. Photos from Trevor Hall.
The latest update on the Beamish Transport and Industry blog (available at http://www.beamishtransportonline.co.uk) confirms that after a period out of use Oporto 196 is now available for service again. In the depot work continues on readying both Gateshead 10 and Lisbon 730 for service.
Gateshead 10 – which remains in its special compound behind sheeting within the depot – has now seen most of its painting completed and its booked in for signwriting in September. It also has new air receivers on order and the manufacturer of new spring hangers is progressing.
For Lisbon 730 – which arrived at the museum early 2024 having moved from the Wirral Heritage Tramway – it is still seeing attention to prepare it for use. Its likely that the braking system will be modified to match what it is believed was originally in place on the tram (when it was regauged during restoration it received a revised system). No date has been set for its return to service.
And looking slightly further ahead, Sunderland 16 will be receiving panel repairs and then repainting as required later this year.
Tuesday 13th August was a typical summer’s day at Beamish which included very long queues to get into the museum. As the day progressed this also led to queues to get on the trams and buses. On days such as those the trams rather choose themselves with high capacity cars Sunderland 16, Blackpool 31 and Sheffield 264 in operation.
Sunderland 16 and Blackpool 31 pass at Foulbridge with services on the tramway. 31 is clockwise and 264 anti-clockwise.
A look around the depots and the doors or road 1 were open which allowed this shot of Gateshead 52 at the very rear. The tram remains a long-term aspiration to restore it to service.
A corner of Portugal in the northeast of England! Lisbon 730 is now on road 3 and on this day it was alongside Oporto 196. The sheeting on the right protects Gateshead 10. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 13th August 2024)