Crich Tramway Village have announced that Newcastle 114 – which arrived on a short-term loan from Beamish Museum yesterday – will be used in passenger service on Friday 12th September, ahead of the weekend’s ‘Electric 50’ event. It is expected that 114 will be joined in service on this day by Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 and Blackpool Balloon 711, meaning that the service will be operated by all three visiting tramcars.
The Friday mini-event, dubbed ‘Electric Friday’, will provide an early opportunity to sample a ride on Newcastle 114 ahead of its starring role at the weekend’s festivities. Although very little notice has been given, the decision to advertise the use of this and the other visiting cars beforehand is appreciated, and should be an extra treat for visitors on this day, as well as anyone who is planning to arrive in the area on Friday before the main event gets underway.
Newcastle 114 seen in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Crich workshop late on the afternoon of 8th September, where various items are being re-fitted following its road journey from Beamish. (Photo by Andy Bailey)