The Beamish Tramway is now closed for an extended period over the winter to allow infrastructure works to take place as well as maintenance on the fleet of trams which operate the service. Not long after the last trams ran for a few months then workers moved in to start the trackworks at the east end of the 1900s Town, which has also meant the buses in operation have had to take a diversionary route. Trevor Hall with the images.
Only a few days in to the works and good progress is already being made on the curve at the east end of the 1900s Town (as trams head to or from Pockerley and pass the end of the Rowley railway line).
No through road for traffic as the barriers show in this view looking towards the 1900 Town. This is the bus stop by the Grand Cinema (in the 1950s Town). Instead of going straight on here buses are turning left into the 1950s Town then left again past the Police House and then onto the service road which joins the circuit just after the Fairground.
The trams are wrapped up for their break as we see here outside the tram depot with a light dusting of snow on the ground. Oporto 196 can just be seen while fellow Oporto car, Coal Car 65 is wrapped up under tarpaulins. The bus is Sunderland Corporation 139, a 1952 Guy Arab III which is on loan at Beamish.
And to illustrate the temporary new bus route we see Rotherham 220 heading through the 1950s Town. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 12th January 2025)