Some exciting news for the tramway fleet – we are very pleased to have concluded negotiations with our colleagues at Heaton Park for the loan to Beamish of their singled ‘Twin’ car No.680.  The tram will be prepared for departure by BTS staff and move to Beamish next week (or shortly after) where it will be fitted with a trolleypole (requiring shot-blasting and painting of the tower, removal of the side panels on the tower, fitting trolley plans, overhauled base, pole from 233 and trolley head from Sheffield 264), cleaned and commissioned.  We viewed it last week and were able to run it up and down the depot road to prove it was operable and that all of the systems are functioning.  Naturally it has accumulated quite a bit of dirt whilst in storage, but this is nothing a good clean can’t cope with.

The aim is to get 680 (as 280) into service as soon as possible, to assist with our Christmas season traffic (which we hope will be heavy!) and then the winter service, with the tram also featuring in our early 2014 operations.  It will be by far the most modern looking tram to operate at Beamish, though its former Railcoach credentials are not far beneath the surface!

Further to this, we have also concluded negotiations for an extended visit by Stockport 5 next spring, with our Blackpool 31 heading to Heaton Park in exchange.  As you may recall, we hoped to arrange this earlier this year but it proved impractical at the time.  As I hail from Stockport I have long wanted to see No.5 operating at Beamish, so hopefully we can pull it off this time!

Below: John Houghton from BTS discusses 680 with Tom and Mel from Beamish during the assessment of the tram last week.  We will add the green colour to the beading above and below the windows, which should soften the vastness of the cream a little.  When it returns to Heaton Park it will receive a more modern livery.  The tram has had its roof windows blanked and been fitted with rubber window surrounds so the 1960s style livery is not strictly accurate, but will brighten up a dreary day (as Blackpool liveried trams do so well we have found!) during the winter.

Below: An interior view of 680, showing some seat swaps to refit, along with bell pushes and further cleaning.  Hopefully enthusiasts will come to ride 680 whilst it assists us through the winter season, giving us some breathing space to tackle the resident fleet of trams and carry out some heavy maintenance.

Below: Blackpool Transport have reawakened one of their own twin sets for their heritage fleet, carrying its original 1960s livery, in the form of 272 and trailer.  The green beading seen here will be added to 680, which will also carry the number 280 whilst it is at Beamish.