Today has been glorious, weather wise, but also another great moment for the Beamish Tramway Group and those who have been helping prepare Blackpool 233 for service. With the tower still being painted on Sunday evening, Mark was booked to assist with re-fitting it on Monday afternoon. This meant Peter, Les and Mel from the BTG assembling the trolley base, pole and wiring onto the tower in the morning. By early afternoon the tower was in place and with Peter hinting that he’d brought something for tea, the possibility of a live test run seemed to be in the offing…

Below: The newly refitted (and finished – all top coated and shiny!) tower on 233. Leeds 6 acts as depot shunter.

Below: Wired up and ready to go! An arty shot to reflect the wonderful weather we’ve had today!

Below: 233 in new surroundings (not Lord Street, though traffic from a BBC film unit gives a rather odd impression!).

Below: Out on the road as 233 fairly sprints along from Pockerley during tests (which it performed very satisfactorily).

Below: Between the Town and Foulbridge – posing in the late afternoon sunshine…

There is still much to do, not least painting the tram, refitting the lifeguards and trays and attending to a number of other matters. But it is great to see the car running and once again it reflects huge credit on those who worked on it. Work elsewhere has also progressed, with Hugh Penman, our Electrician, having completed his work on 196. The motors are still away for overhaul but the wheels are back and Brian Williams (the Mechanical Engineer) is about to make a start on the truck for this tram. Meanwhile, in a week or so we should have another open topper from out west… Birkenhead 20 is due to move before Easter and should land at Beamish late next week. Busy busy times!

There is some film of 233 in action – this might be available later in the week.