Its been a long-time coming but Tuesday 10th August 2021 the first tram ran at Beamish since March 2020 as the testing/commissioning process for the tramway steps up a gear. Oporto 196 was the chosen tram to run on part of the tramway line with all movements taking place before the museum opened to the public.
It remains the hope that a tram service of some kind will start from 4th September (this will be the previously announced operation from Fouldbridge to the Town (outside the bakery) via the Entrance and Pockerley with the section through the Town to Fouldbridge requiring some additional attention before it can be used).
Staff are now starting to come back to the tramway operation from being furloughed which will enable commissioning to be stepped up a gear, including driver training and re-familiarisation. Oporto 196 will be used for this alongside Blackpool 31 but the majority will take place whilst the museum is closed to avoid the public trying to catch a ride!
This is the start of the process and it will still be a while before the tramway starts running for the public but at least it’s a start!