The summer holidays are now drawing to a close and with school children anticipated to return to school next week, this weekend (a bank holiday here) is the last one of our first reopening phase. It has been a strange summer and we now look forward to the autumn and then winter with a renewed focus.
To start off this second phase, and following on from the comments made in the video (T&I News 14) regarding trading our way out of the effects of the prolonged lockdown and closure, we are now in a position to commence a limited bus operation. This is particularly gratifying to be able to do as the visitor feedback has demonstrated that the absence of transport around the site has been keenly felt, and the roads have certainly been quiet without it.
Above: At short notice, Russ has single handedly prepared three buses for service, with Darlington 4 to follow shortly. As well as their inspections, he has made any necessary adaptations to ensure they are COVID-19 Secure for the visitors (and crew). Here is 220 departing the depot apron this morning in the gloom of a damp day, the first bus in general service since we closed in March.Above: Rotherham 220 arrives in the Town, with the first passengers (excluding the WAV, J2007) to use transport at Beamish since March.Above: A reminder of some of the queue management in place within the Town area – the queue is formed within the ‘four-foot’ of the Tramway outer circle, and regularly fills this space – the front being managed by a member of staff who admits a limited number of visitors to the sweetshop at a time. Sweets are now pre-packed and this does speed up the sales process, whilst the manufacturing area to the rear of the shop forms the exit. We have several one-way systems in place and I am recording these for future posterity (if that is the right word for these times), as it is an important and defining moment in the museum’s history.Above: The Daimler D-Type replica has also been prepared for operation and is seen in the workshop folliwing its exam last week. Its capacity is rather more limited than the other buses, doe to the longitudinal seats downstairs.Above: An example of some of the signage in use on the buses.Above: The screen around the compressor, bus wash and waste oil tank is now nearly complete, all of this being material salvaged from around the site.Above: I felt the railways weren’t getting much of a look-in on the blog lately, so here is the latest weed-watch photo! The running chaldrons are seen on display, whilst the weeds expand their covering around the Colliery Railway sidings… It’s fairly appropriate on a recreated industrial railway, albeit less so for a colliery site I guess!
I am pleased to see the site back in action. I hope any feedback from visitors is not tainted by the “day out brigade” and the painful littering of places where people have access.
whilst 200 miles from you, and last visiting in around 1991! I keep a close eye on events.
As an aside to the troubles, is there any camping/caravan sites either within foot or directly linked via public transport.
All the very best.
Dave Mitchell
Jeanette / 9-8-2020 / ·
Hi me and my husband are coming late September for a visit.. He’s not too good at walking long distances.. Hence why we’ll use the bus.. Does the bus stop and allow you to get off around the different places within your grounds?
Thanks Regards Jeanette
Paul Jarman / 9-14-2020 / ·
Hi Jeanette
Yes, the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle stops at the Entrance, Pockerley, Town and Foulbridge (for the Pit Village). You ask any member of staff to request it when you require it, though it will usually be busy on several calls at once so may take several minutes or longer to reach you.
Hi Paul,
very off topic but do you have any drawings surrounding the narrow gauge brake van available. Would love to build a shed to a similar appearance. Great work on reopening by the way.
Thanks
Welcome to Beamish Transport Online – The official site for all the latest transport and industry news across Beamish Museum.
.
Trade Catalogues
Articles
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy
I am pleased to see the site back in action. I hope any feedback from visitors is not tainted by the “day out brigade” and the painful littering of places where people have access.
whilst 200 miles from you, and last visiting in around 1991! I keep a close eye on events.
As an aside to the troubles, is there any camping/caravan sites either within foot or directly linked via public transport.
All the very best.
Dave Mitchell
Hi me and my husband are coming late September for a visit.. He’s not too good at walking long distances.. Hence why we’ll use the bus.. Does the bus stop and allow you to get off around the different places within your grounds?
Thanks Regards Jeanette
Hi Jeanette
Yes, the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle stops at the Entrance, Pockerley, Town and Foulbridge (for the Pit Village). You ask any member of staff to request it when you require it, though it will usually be busy on several calls at once so may take several minutes or longer to reach you.
Kind regards
Paul
Hi Dave – the museum website is the best place to look: http://www.beamish.org.uk/plan-your-visit/places-to-stay/
Kind regards
Paul
Beamish web site might be worth a look.
Hi Paul,
very off topic but do you have any drawings surrounding the narrow gauge brake van available. Would love to build a shed to a similar appearance. Great work on reopening by the way.
Thanks