23rd March 2010

As many readers will be aware, we are sending Blackpool Tram 31 to Blackpool in mid June to stay until November (at least) in order to participate in the Blackpool Tramway’s 125th anniversary. It was initially agreed that BTS’ Boat car No.600 would come to Beamish in exchange, later being swapped to Boat 607 (which will be joining the National Tramway Museum collection in due course). However, an offer of the loan of a Balloon Tram (No.703) by the Lancastrian Transport Trust, liveried in Sunderland livery (and wearing the next spare number – 101) was accepted in order to give us some high capacity winter tram cover. The English Electric design is quite acceptable – Sunderland 99 was very similar to the Blackpool cars and it us upon this tram that 101’s livery is based.
We have reached agreement with the LTT for the loan and 703/101 will arrive in mid-June. There is a lot of information on the tram on LTT’s website, so rather than repeat it here, follow the link below for fuller details… (also have a look at their 143 project – and think 31!).

http://ltt-news.blogspot.com

Below: 703 has entered the paintshop at Rigby Road (image courtesy the LTT blog)

Below: A mocked up impression of the final result – though the single destination blind will remain for now and the pantograph will be replaced with a trolley pole.

Obviously this is not a 100% recreation, but it is hoped that 101 will give us much needed winter covered-tram support for our Christmas event, as well as evoking a popular and well remembered livery on a near-suitable tram at the museum. It is very much an interesting ‘might have been’!