What can we expect in 2012? Well, two big events (April and September – the latter reinstated as a four day event after initial thoughts reported here that it would be reduced to two days).

Both will feature visiting railway locomotives, narrow gauge locomotives, trams, traction engines, cars, cycles etc. etc. There is also the return of the Lewin to steam to look forward to (I hope for April, but looking less likely at the moment – we will try though!), possibly the Ruston Portable

and maybe a few other interesting arrivals in the year ahead (on all forms of rail…). The Forcett Coach should be completed in the spring, we are now gathering our energy for a major redevelopment of the workshops which should greatly improve both output and self sufficiency.

Later in the year we should be able to reveal something of our long term planning strategy, see progress on Dunrobin and the DoS coach 58A, commence the improvement of facilities at Rowley Station and continue to increase the transport activity across the whole Museum. So, certainly exciting times ahead and as ever, you can read it here first!

I should also add that the blog can be considered definitive – I do occasionally have quite odd conversations regarding the transport at Beamish and this blog – as the Keeper of Transport I do take quite seriously the idea of reporting the news from the Museum to those who are interested, and also producing something that can be relied on for the historical record. It is an official blog and one that I keep as part of my role here – there have been some who have informed me of what we are doing or going to do (in their opinion) that has come as news to me and I can assure readers that what you read here really is the truth! That said, here are some photos taken over the Christmas holidays to start of the new year…

Below: Whilst visiting the January Sales in Manchester I called in at MOSI where Agecroft No.1 was in steam and operating over the Y shaped demonstration line there.

The Christmas season has been exceptionally busy at Beamish (or maybe this is the norm when it doesn’t snow?!) and the clear up is now in full swing. We are still open (closed Mondays and Fridays) and whilst Rowley Station operations have stopped until Easter, the Tramway is still running everyday and more than likely you will see the Balloon or Gateshead 10 in action (these now being the favorite winter trams as I hear it from the operating department).