Whilst a large number of visitors to Beamish, the Living Museum of the North were enjoying their full sized counterparts there was the first model tram exhibition for a number of years taking place on the third and fourth day of the Great North Steam Fair. Partly thanks to the slightly inclement weather outside just over 4,000 visitors were recorded as visiting the exhibition on 14th and 15th April.
There were a number of tramway layouts in action on both days with “Stockport 1936-37”, “Newcastle and District Tramway”, “Sealane”, “Wearmouth”, “Blackpool Seafront”, “rue de Tincques” and “Sunderland Tramways” all being exhibited.
In addition to these layouts three of the large Sunderland trams (3/4”) were displayed and the East Lancs Model Tramway Supplies Shop was on hand for those who wished to spend some money on tram related items.
The Exhibition was such a success it is likely to be repeated in April 2013 at the Beamish Tramways 40th Anniversary Event.
For further information on the event visit Gordon Bulmer’s Model Trams and Tramways website – http://www.gordonstrams.net/BMEpage.htm – where not only can you find a review of the event but also lots of information about tram modelling.