T&I News 13 2022…
Blog coverage has been a little disrupted this last fortnight, but plenty is going on, and for some of it I took photographs to illustrate this post. Hopefully more to follow on engineering projects in the next post (including machine shop developments and the installation of a mechanical blower to help ventilate the Waggonway shed with the smoky coal we’ve been forced to use), but for now here are a few bits and pieces from the last seven days or so.
Testing Front Street with buses
Below: With so much design work having gone into the 1950s developments, and then evolved and changed as buildings have been altered or adapted to better suit our needs, I had a nagging doubt about the left hand turn into Front Street that will be negotiated by motor buses and trolleybuses as the 50s bus route is developed then opened. To scratch the itch, we took Rotherham 220 and Darlington 4 for a test run this morning. The location of the bus stop has moved several times, and whilst there is a de-luxe version, we are probably going to accept the budget option (or option within budget!) which will be located where Darlington 4 is stood on the right in this view. To ensure that a bus can pass another in this location, Rotherham 220 manoeuvres around Darlington 4 before making its left hand turn.
Below: The test to prove that a bus could pass a bus, and another could make a standing start at the curb then turn left, was successful – both buses then posing in new territory for them. The fence to the right hides the site of the cinema and toy/electrical shops that are currently being tendered for construction. The street is fairly narrow and so we may limit parking to the terrace side, when it come into use as a through route. The two buses then proceeded via the construction site roadway, back to depot. And we can sleep at night knowing that they will easily fit within the road scheme!
Transport Collection Thursday
Below: The operation this month was slightly hampered by COVID-19, but Coffee Pot No.1 made an appearance in the Colliery, whilst operations at the Waggonway resumed (now operating Thursday to Sunday each week). Rambler, the Fowler steam roller, had been scheduled to run but will now operate next time. The weather forecast wasn’t promising, but in the end it was a lovely day down in the Colliery – always an advantage for a locomotive with no cab!!!
Summertime service
We’ve reached the nice point of operation during the season where there is a good variety of transport at work around the museum, but we’ve not hit the busy period of school holidays – ideal if you want to come and watch the service at work!
For example, today you can ride on one of the open top trams, the B bus to the Colliery, Darlington 4 and the Waggonway. The weather is fine and there are plenty of seats available. The Waggonway is operating regularly Thursday – Sunday, with Glyder in steam on Mondays and Tuesdays. The trams rotate depending on weather, and the Crosville 716 us out on WAV duty. It is very pleasing to see, and throw in some of the vintage lorries (the Morris and Leyland Cub have both been out too), it makes for a very appealing spectacle for the enthusiast and visitor alike. Sometimes it is easy to forget just what a variety and scale the museum’s transport teams can operate with and on, so it pays to remind ourselves just how good it is!
Below: Sunderland 16, Blackpool 31 and Newcastle 114 are the core fleet this week, with 196 available if required. Motor repairs to 264 are still underway before it is able to rejoin the pool, hopefully in time for the school holidays.
Below: Meanwhile, Darlington 4 is running this week whilst Rotherham 220 has its platform repainted and some other jobs completed. The B and D Type replicas are available and in use (the former on the Colliery shuttle) and 716 and J2007 offer the WAV service each day.
Great to see the buses in the 50’s Street, a real taste of things to come.
Will the Darlington shelter now sit, almost flush against the side of the cinema, given the location if Darlington 4 at the proposed bus stop location?
Hi John
The precise location of the cinema, and its orientation has been changed since the various artists impressions were produced, so the bus stop will be part of a fairly large pedestrian circulating area to the south of the position that No.4 is parked in, in the photo that you refer to. Originally the stop was to be further east, and then quite a bit further west, but has arrived at the present planned position as the design of the buildings and scheme has progressed.
Best wishes
Paul
Hi paul
Any news on when the rowley track works start please and the final plan?
thanks mate
Cheers
Rob
Hi Rob
It’s still in the planning stage. No plans to change the track layout particularly, though we may look at it if required (due to available materials, for example).
Cheers
Paul
it is good that the buses can get down the street in the 50s town but there was a plan or idea call it what you want for trolley buses to work in 50s town will this still happen or has it been given the elbow?
Hi Gary, yes, the plan is still for trolleybuses to work on a circular route around the site (it would be a 1950s route, operated by either or both motor and trolleybuses as required). We are actively working on the design side of this, and hope to procure the first elements of the construction contract this year. No target date for completion has been set, but I anticipate having all of the necessary traction poles in situ in 12 – 18 months time.
Kind regards
Paul
Hi Paul, Thanks for info on the trolley buses.
now that the :new; farm (spainfield) is open any chance of work restarting on the narrow gauge locomotive shed in the pit village? would be a good idea for it to be done for next years steam fair regards Gary
Hi Gary
We’ve a long way to go before the other buildings within the Remaking Beamish project are completed, but the narrow gauge loco shed for Samson remains on the to-do list, though it will be a few years yet before we can allocate resources to complete it.
Best wishes
Paul
I see Beamish are planning to build a toll House, I think in the Georgian part. I presume it comes under transport would you have any more information about it.
Thank you Andrew
hi Paul,
Thanks for update on narrow gauge loco shed a shame it will be years before it is completed.
It makes you wonder why it was started in the first place.
Is there any update on steam loco Newcastle (stored in black shed) has anyone looked at it to see what work is needed to resort this loco to working order?
regards Gary
The blog hinted that the waggonway would be in use Thursday to Sundays. but it was not in use last Saturday i hope that this is a 1 off.
gary