As Beamish comes into its main season (its now open every single day until 23rd October 2026 between 1000 and 1700) work on upgrading, improving and maintaining the tramway infrastructure has been continuing. This has seen overnight work with an outside contractor having been brought in to attend to the overhead.
SPL have been contracted to complete work on the replacement of life-expired span wires on the tramway overhead. This was done in several night sessions to minimise disruption to the overall operation of the museum. As well as the span wires they also replaced some section insulators.
In addition to the work SPL have been involved in, the internal permanent way team have also been continuing a rolling program of changing sleepers. The latest area enjoying this upgrade has been close to Pockerley tramstop. Vegetation removal between Foulbridge and the Entrance has also been taking place where trees had started to encroach on the track, road and pavement.
The section of track recently relaid at Foulbridge has also now been filled in. This will enable a designated bus turning area to be provided for those buses which are heading down to the Colliery. This will help to avoid the need for the buses to mount the pavement when completing this move.
On the tramcar front, and Blackpool 31 has had to be withdrawn from service (despite having run earlier in the year). The Transport and Industry Blog confirms that it will be receiving some attention, and this means that work to get Lisbon 730 into service will now be pushed back (if you remember the Portuguese tram needs its motors removed) for inspection and any remedial attention identified).
Its not all bad news for 730 though as progress has continued onto its repaint into Newcastle Corporation colours. This is confirmed to include plum doors. Fleet numbers have now been reapplied to the tram.
Sunderland 16 has also received some attention in the depot recently. This has seen areas of damaged roof canvas replaced. It will be necessary for repairs to the damaged interior ceiling to happen as well, but this will be subject to assessment before being undertaken.
Meanwhile, Oporto 196 and Sheffield 264 have remained operational whilst work on preparing Newcastle 114 for a return to action later this year (planned) has also continued.
31 saw limited use this year before having to be taken out of service. Its seen here on 28th February when it was passing Sunderland 16.
Work on 730’s repaint is progressing nicely as seen in this view taken looking into the depot.
The newly relaid section of track and the increasing hardstanding which will now allow buses to easier turn round here, rather than having to go onto the pavement. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall)