I have been following with interest a discussion on an Internet forum which has made quite a bit of reference to our trams and tramway at Beamish, including some speculation and some very kind as well as useful comments.  I thought, however, that it might be useful to put down my own formal view to help dispel any rumours or misunderstandings of what might or might not be happening.

The current fleet of trams at Beamish consists of a working collection formed of both museum owned and on-loan cars.  In addition there is Sheffield 264, which requires a comprehensive overhaul (focusing on the lower saloon framework in particular) and the remains of Gateshead 51.  Off site we also have Sheffield 513, which is on operational loan to the East Anglian Transport Museum.
There has been some comment regarding our time periods.  At present, and this has been the case for a little while now, the areas divide into ‘Edwardian’ (Town, Colliery, Railway Station), Georgian (Pockerley, Steam Waggonway and the new church) and Victorian (Home Farm).  The tramway and circular road is regarded as a period route, but not fixed in a specific time.  We no longer adhere to the rather impossible objective of stating specific years for our areas

It is becoming generally known that we are looking at developing the site to include additional time periods (such as the 1950s, as a possibility) and whilst these are still being researched, they would greatly increase the scope of the working transport collections at Beamish.  Should we look to develop a new area it will require a service of some sort and a branchline or addtional route for the tramway would fit the bill nicely.  The preliminary sketches allow for such a route on much easier curves than found in the Town, thus ensuring a place for a tram like 513.  Those curves are the main reason for it not being back at Beamish at the present time.  Sunderland 16 comes close in terms of wear and tear on that section of track, and could also be dedicated to the route through an alternative area and period.  Trolleybuses would also play a part in this plan but it must be stressed that whilst we are looking at a wide range of ideas, nothing has yet been set in stone or committed to.  We would, of course, retain the Town Street route as well.

We are currently overhauling Oporto 196, which will be outshopped in South Shields livery and may include some changes to the advertising panels to further anglicanise it for operation here.  This is very much in the spirit of moving people in a period fashion – the tramway in a museum aspect of the discussion (we do not operate a tramway museum).  However, the recent work on 114 and 31 I hope demonstrates a commitment to curatorial accuracy as well, and the proposed appearance of Gateshead 10 in BR green has provoked nothing (that I have heard anyway) but excitement – despite the clear anachronism in terms of it appearing every lap in the Edwardian Town Street in a livery carried from the early 1950s.

Regarding the two LTT trams – I think they fit in rather well at Beamish.  The Balloon is intended to support our busier events and times when capacity and crowd moving are key considerations.  It has seen a lot of use due to its popularity with the operating department, but generally it will sit out the summers, with the streamline era being represented by 233 (which will find little favour in a north east winter!).  Both trams are popular and have created great interest in Beamish and the tramway here.  It is also a good example of partnership working, which we also enjoy with our colleagues at Heaton Park, who have Leeds 6 currently oustationed here, as well as those other orgainisations (TMS, EATM, MTPS) who have so kindly loaned cars to appear at events etc.

Regarding future fleet developments, I for one (speaking personally) would love to see Newcastle 102 and/or Gateshead 5 (or even Sunderland 100!)  visit Beamish, perhaps on extended loans and perhaps even forming an oustationed collection of the National Tramway Museum, after all we have examples from the National Railway Museum based here .  Certainly the sight of 102 and 114 in the Town Street together is a prospect to be relished.  However, the NTM has responsibilities as holder of such a wonderful and significant collection of trams and in turn must consider the best future for its tramcars and as an accredited museum it correctly takes such responsibilities very seriously.

Our future development plans (site wide) are both bold and exciting, but we are also looking at our events and developing these into festivals – so more scope for visiting tramcars (as long as the hugely supportive haulage rates available from Scotts prevail anyway!).  The building of relationships between organisations takes time but is bearing fruit and a quick look back over the last couple of years reveals trams from Heaton Park, Crich, the LTT collection, EATM and Birkenhead Tramway taking to our tracks.  2013 is the 40th anniversary of the Beamish Tramway – wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a tram from all the main heritage tramcar operators present for that particular celebration…!!!

So, I hope that helps clarify something of the present ‘policy’ at Beamish regarding the tramway and how it might develop in the future and perhaps puts to bed some rumours that I have encountered recently.  I would add that I am always open to suggestions and that I can be contacted through this blog with thoughts and queries.