Blog followers may have read elsewhere that we are in early stage talks with our colleagues at Taylor Street in Birkenhead regarding a possible exchange of trams in the spring of 2012. It must be stated that this is still all very much to be confirmed and that a visit by 196 to Birkenhead will be timed with the winter overhaul, which is likely to be extensive. However, I am delighted that the MTPS are willing to consider our request. I would also like to add that the Tramway Museum Society staff have been extremely helpful and that though 167’s non availability is a disappointment, we are confident that there will be exchanges, in both directions, in years to come.

I have a draft events programme up until the September event 2014, with a list of exhibits for each event that I would like to attract. Various themes are being developed and I am certainly aware that 2013 is the 80th anniversary of the Blackpool streamliners as well as the 40th anniversary of the Beamish tramway, so it should be a very exciting year for tramway enthusiasts. I also have some interesting (I think!) ideas for the September 2012 PftP event, currently given the working title ‘The Northumbrian Riviera’ (rather tongue in cheek!).

From my point of view, as the curator for these events as well as an enthusiast, I am delighted by the interest that is shown in such events and exchanges and the cooperation offered by all of the tramway museum’s and collections with whom we have worked. Needless to say the future of such events relies on people attending them in large numbers as the cost and logistics of haulage and commissioning visiting vehicles onto our tramway is large, and growing.

Next April’s Great North Steam Fair, hopefully featuring Birkenhead 20, is likely to be called ‘Locomotives of Quality’ to reflect the steam theme (with the Power from the Past events having less steam emphasis) and already an array of interesting exhibits is being drawn up.

As ever, watch this space…!!!