Blackpool 147 arrives…
This morning, after a troubled and traumatic journey, Blackpool 147 arrived at Beamish. The journey, over an approved high-load route, was delayed by a bridge closure on the A6 in Kendal and inaccurate data on bridge heights on the A66 in Co Durham. Fortunately the crew were cautious and professional and by making full use of the road width to the central reservation and the lowering of the trailer ride height, they were able to negotiate these obstacles! Social media reported that the tram had struck a bridge but this is untrue and the photograph which appeared online showed the trailer being lowered, not the crew inspecting a collision… Beware what you read online…
Unfortunately an encounter with a tree branch did lead to some of the quaterlight glasses being broken, these being photographed before removal for repair this morning. The team are making every effort to prepare for commissioning tomorrow, with driver training taking place on Friday…
Blackpool 147
Below: Sunderland 16 provided the ‘tug’ for removing 147 from the road trailer (and later pushing 31 aboard). They are seen at the Entrance loop where this procedure took place.
Below: By mid morning work was underway to reassemble the trolleybase and prepare to fit a spare Beamish trolleypole with carbon skate. A thorough ‘C’ exam was also undertaken.
Below: Blackpool 31 departs for its home town and a holiday on the coast…
Sheffield 264
The finishing stages of Sheffield 264’s rebuild has reached the ‘adornment’ stage, with the final fittings and brasswork being applied.
Below: We didn’t have any transfers available for the crests on 264 – and it was only at this point that I realised it hadn’t carried them after its last restoration! Sarah Jarman is therefore hand-painting these on each side on the waist panels as part of her training with Phil Anderson. Seen here with the chalked out base markings.
Below: The base colours are applied (the photo pinned up is Sheffield 74 at Crich – chosen as there seem to be a number of versions of the City coat of arms).
Below: With panels all in place and final coats of gloss applied and some flatted. the next step (tomorrow onwards) is the application of the lining and intricate corner decorations to each panel.
Outside Works
Below: Visitors to the site may have been curious as to why the footbridge at Rowley has been encased for so long – this has been due to the high winds, damage to the covering applied and a few other issues. However, the contractors are now on site and blasting, with the first section cleaned. Initial inspection reveals the bridge to be in very good condition, though a professional surveyor is due later in the week to inspect the bridge formally.
Below: Some work has also taken place this week on the narrow gauge, ahead of a big push towards the April event – the scene here being the location we plan to have the working sawbench/wood cutting display for the Great War Steam Fair and Horses at War.
Do you know yet if 264 will be in service this weekend? The Beamish Twitter account mentioned it being ‘on display’… I was hoping to visit on Saturday, but might hang on until both 147 & 264 are running.
On a more positive note, great to see 147 in its new temporary home, and also 31 at Blackpool! Thanks to everyone who has made this wonderful deal happen.
Hi Andrew – 264 will not be in passenger service, though the rebuild is complete the painting isn’t yet so this will continue on Saturday with the tram on display in the depot (also on display Sunday). Probably another 7 – 10 days to final varnish (and allowing this to harden ). Everyone has made a great effort but after 12 years or so there is little point rushing this last stage. I will update the blog tomorrow or Friday then again re a debut date for 264. Meanwhile the push is on for 147 which obviously was expected to arrive late Monday but became unavoidably held up.
Heritage is generally fraught with the frustration of unforseen delay! Paul
Regarding reporting on social network sites; the only photo I have seen of 147 next to a bridge appeared on Trams Today. As owner of this site I can confirm that in no way was it reported that 147 struck a bridge. One of the site’s followers made that claim but that does not mean that the site itself reported that. Trams Today attempts always to be factual and therefore does not need to have a caveat of ‘beware what you read’
Wonderful hand painting and sign writing> please show more of the work in progress and the varnished results.
As with other tram projects up and down the UK detail finish is superb and probably much better than when new.
A huge talent pool.
I hope the 147 damage is confined to glass and that the repairs are easily replicated.
All the best for a wonderful web site and people skills both contractors and site staff.
264 is looking fantastic – cant wait to see her in a months time when we come up. Sarah and Phil are doing a great job – like you i’d forgotten we didn’t have any crests to had to put on it in 1987 so it will be good to see it complete this time. Welcome back old friend.
Many thanks for the update on 147. We got some photos of it on its way through Oxenholme near Kendal, Cumbria.
You are welcome to use them and our story if you like!
Many thanks