Great North Festival of Transport – ‘Our Friends – Electric’ update…
Well, the event is upon us and despite the trials and tribulations of a long and hard winter (and though sunny, it is still very cold!), we have embarked upon the festival with the first press call taking place this morning.
Whilst plans for the Great North Steam Fair are well in hand (and this will be covered in detail in a later post), the first element of the event, the tramway 40th gala titled ‘Our Friends – Electric’ has essentially begun. With haulage problems overtaking us, we will start with Lisbon 730 as the only short-term visiting tram, as well as our own fleet and the LTT resident trams. Glasgow 1068 has been delayed by the snow which is still lingering in Derbyshire (the compacted drifts making access with a long lorry very difficult) but I understand that it is due to move late on Friday. Additionally, the hoped for launch of the tramway guidebook ‘Forty Years of Service’ has had to be put back as the book has not yet been delivered from the printers.
To make up for the slight shortage in visiting trams, Newcastle 114 has been decorated in traditional style with a floral display and sign-written decency panels stating ‘Forty Years of Service’. It is seen below with 233 and 16 which also took part in the press call. A cake was duly cut for the cameras and hopefully we will have some good coverage on local news and TV to entice visitors over the coming three weeks of festivities.
In addition to the tramway activity, there are numerous family activities and a smattering of road steam at work. Tours of the workshops are being offered and a talk on the tramway takes place on Thursday. So we are warming up gently and hopefully will add 1068 to the fleet in time for the weekend. As ever, for latest news and confirmation of exhibits being here and in operation, do check back to this blog.
Below: A selection of photographs taken during this mornings press call…
Very nice – I like the floral display on 114, very reminiscent of that seen on trams in the Edwardian era at, apparently, any occasion to do so. Look forward to a visit on Saturday – website mentioned all three railways in operation, will this be the case? Yet to see the Colliery railway in action so would be a nice first
Hey I hope you are not going to be cutting into that cake before I get there.
Best
John
16 LOOKS A BIT JADED MAYBE A COAT OF RED AND CREAM WHICH WAS THE FINAL LIVERY FOR SUNDERLAND CARS WOULD BRIGHTEN HER UP. DOES NO 16 CARRY A COMPLETE DESTINATION BLIND? IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THIS CLASS OF CAR WAS NEVER USED ON THE FINAL DURHAM ROAD EXTENSION BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW IF THEY CARRIED THE DESTINATIONS. THESE WOULD READ (ETTRICK GROVE, HUMBLEDON, PLAINS FARM, DURHAM ROAD).LOOK FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND
Look forward to seeing 101 in Sunderland colours for the first time also no 16 I hope these cars are running on Sunday
Hi Bob. 16 is out of service at present, and has been for a little while now. It requires new tyres to be fitted, which entails lifting the body from teh truck and procuring the required rings – something not readily available in the UK anymore I am afraid. When attended to, probably this summer, it will be re-varnished. In its current condition it would not have carried the later Sunderland livery but some attention to its paintwork will brighten it up no end.
Paul
Thanks Paul for the information on no 16, regarding the destination blinds do you know if no 16 carries the full list of destinations or just a random few. I saw a photo of no 101 I think it was in Trams magazine showing SEABURN on it’s blinds this was never a destination display on it’s own It would normally be SEABURN via FULWELL or ROKER & SEABURN or SEALANE sorry to be so fussy keep up the good work
Bob Riley