Great North Festival of Transport update…
With all postings regarding the GNFoT the caveat ‘subject to availability’ is always carefully included and regular readers of the blog will no doubt know that the line up of exhibits can be somewhat fluid – and this is the ones that are confirmed and make it into the public eye – for every one confirmed there were probably two others that were approached, discussed and then ruled out or put back for future dates. Thus it can be a process of mixed emotions (and a great deal of work!), trying to balance the cost with quality, the availability of exhibits with those that visitors would enjoy seeing.
So, I shall shortly update the photo gallery with items confirmed (including the 1920 Wooler motorcycle and Aveling & Porter 15 ton steam roller 3315 seen in the photos below), but sadly it will also record that Stockport tram No.5 will not be making the trip up. This is a great shame as much work was carried out by volunteers at its home tramway (Heaton Park) in anticipation of making the trip to Beamish, but we do hope to rearrange the visit for a future date if possible.
Whilst it is disappointing to report that Stockport 5 will not make this event we will proceed to make the anniversary as interesting as possible and hope to add one or two surprises and unique sights and attractions to the mix. Remember, it is still the first time a Scottish tramcar has operated at Beamish, and the first time trams from Oporto and Lisbon have been seen in operation on the same tramway. 31 will be decked out with its popular Circular Tour boards (it having only appeared in limited use in this guise previously) and I have plans for 114 too…
We have had great support from all of the UK heritage tramways and whilst not all can send trams to the event, there is a great deal of cooperation very much evident and this is something for which we are very grateful. For those who have perhaps seen some of the discussions on the internet this should be considered, and that a relatively small number of people work very hard across the country to ensure we have the trams and tramways we have, operating to both the delight of enthusiasts but also the general public, whose interest (and financial contribution) make the hobby viable. We are very lucky that there is such a choice and variety in the UK to even contemplate a gathering of tramcars and one we should all be able to look forward to – just keep everything crossed that the weather will cooperate too!
The book, Forty Years of Service, is currently being prepared and it is anticipated that delivery of this will take place in time to go on sale on the first day of the festival, April 4th.
Shame about Stockport 5 but these things happen unfortunately. Wooler flying banana will be exciting to see!
Such a shame about 5, and from what I understand due to cock-up by the haulier and neither your fault nor Heaton Parks. [wonder why the preserved railway I work at doesn’t use those cowboys?]
Look forward to 5 visiting at a later date with – maybe PftP in September??
Steve, part of it comes down to cost. Scotts have been (and I am sure will continue to be) an excellent, flexible and supportive contractor to us. We could move Stockport 5 via a carefully planned route, but that could take several days (remember the time it took to move Liverpool 245 across the Mersey?) and would absolutely wipe out the budget I have for the event. Trams have generally been chosen for events based on suitability for transport within motorway bridge restrictions but 5 is taller than average open toppers – 1068 can travel with the mast up, 31 would have had the mast lowered. We also have to look at the potential for damage to trams en route and this is simply not worth taking the risk for (bearing in mind we have had to repair trams on arrival at the Museum in the past – a low hanging tree branch can be a menace, especially when wet and hanging even lower).
We are very lucky that Scotts have obliged the movement with their services at such reasonable costs – comparative railway moves would be as much as three or four times higher (I know this from having done it!). Thus, in times where budgets must strech further, the cost of haulage becomes a major factor.
I sincerly hope we will see a 31/5 swap in due course, perhaps for an event when the available budget for transport can be focussed on one or two ‘key’ items. Don’t forget that I had to cancel the visit by Belgium based steam locomotive Yvonne due to the high price of shipping it over – again this would have left very little budget for doing anything else with but quotes often have to wait for completion of hire negotiations for various reasons.
If blame is to be aportioned, it is with us (i.e. me) for not ensuring that 5 could travel by normal routes and establishing the parameters we could work within.
Hopefully that helps explain the situation and also reassures folks that we will endevour to put on exciting events with star attractions, but this has to be within budgets available, reasonable timescales and fit amongst the planning for some 100 exhibits to take part in the festival – all of which is organised by two staff members and two volunteers, largely on top of the day job. It is a fairly thankless job and with some 37 heavy haulage transport moves associated with the GNFoT, I wouldn’t reccomend it as a relaxing direction to take a hobby in for anyone!
Paul
Very nicely said Paul. If there is any fault to attribute, this is not the place to do it. Many thanks to you and your team for all your hard work.