We have recently entered into an agreement with the East Anglian Transport Museum to loan them Sheffield ‘Roberts’ tram No.513. Built in 1950, the car saw 10 years service in Yorkshire and was one of a pair of specially decorated ‘last trams’ in Sheffield. It was purchased by the organist at York Minster who stored it at the Middleton Railway, Leeds. Numerous trams were stored here, but those not removed were eventually destroyed by vandals including the famous Swansea and Mumbles tram, a Leeds Horsfield (parts of the truck survive under our Sunderland 16) and a Leeds, ex London, Feltham car.

513 was subsequently moved to a goods shed at Cullingworth (near Halifax) before moving in 1973 to Oxenhope, on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The owner had presented it to the York Castle Museum, but there was no place to store it in the city centre and so it remained in storage.

In 1976 it appeared at Beamish, and a subsequent overhaul enabled a debut into service in 1983.

In 1985 the tram visited Blackpool to participate in the centenary celebrations, before returning to Beamish for a further spell of operation in February 2001.

Its use at Blackpool had declined in recent years, though trips in 2010 on the newly laid reserved tracks were describes as ‘vigorous’! As a result of the changes to the operations at Blackpool, and the forthcoming move to the new depot at Starr Gate, 513 was once again in need of a new base. It was considered for a return to Beamish, however its very long fixed wheelbase (longer even than Sunderland 16’s) was always a track punisher, particularly on the town curves (which were relaid and rebuilt last year). Until a diversionary route is built in the town (on the ‘one day’ list!) then 513 was not favoured for an early return.

We are therefore very pleased that it will enjoy a lengthy operating spell with the EATM and look forward to developing a relationship with them over the years.

The move will take place in February, with 513 beginning operation at Carlton Colville (near Lowestoft in Suffolk) around Easter.

Below: Kindly supplied by Jason Cross, this photo shows 513 in Blackpool last summer.