As we look ahead to 2013 and the most ambitious transport event held here yet, I am delighted to be able to confirm what many I suspect have been talking about already, that our friends in Birkenhead and Manchester have agreed to send trams to the 40th anniversary event for the Beamish Tramway on the 4 – 7th April.

First up, from the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society is Lisbon 730 which was built in 1930 and is the only standard gauge Lisbon car operating, having been regauged in Birkenhead for operation on the Birkenhead Tramway.  More photographs and information on the tram can be found via the links page and the banner for the MTPS.  This follows on from the visit of Birkenhead 20 to Beamish earlier this year and once again we are delighted that the society is able to take part in the gala event.

The second tram to be confirmed is Stockport 5 from Heaton Park, building on the many tram exchanges that have taken place between them and us and which will also see Blackpool 31 make a second visit to Manchester in exchange.  It will also be great to see a tram from my home town working at Beamish!

The theme of the event will now be a generic one, as a spectacle of trams rather than any one particular subject.  The event also features a model tramway exhibition on the 6th and 7th of April as well as, I hope, launches of a book and DVD on the Beamish Tramway.

It is anticipated that some of the visiting trams will stay on to take part in the rest of the Great North Festival of Transport, particularly the Great North Steam Fair on the 11th to 14th April.

As ever, for latest news, watch this space…