Various tram depot goings on...

29th August 2011

Below: Two photographs of Blackpool 31 carrying the 'Circular Tour' boards made for it by the Friends and which it will wear during PftP (and other events no doubt).

Below: 101 with the rather crude but OK at a distance black lining applied. In time another line will be needed above window height, but this will have to wait for another occasion! It also needs a good clean, as the shed can be very dusty and currently we are trying to eradicate some pigeons whose mess is far out of keeping with their small number. Fortunately one of our staff members is a keen shooter, so these pigeons will be dispatched in the same way as the last lot, and some modifications to the door will hopefully make ingress rather harder (assuming people remember to close the doors that is!).

101 - lining applied

28th August 2011

Below: Work continues into the small hours to ensure 101 makes its best impression at PftP this coming week! Repairs to two damaged side panels have also been completed, seen in white filler/primer, and these have been painted tonight. Most of the black lining has been masked and applied, though some areas will have to be completed later.

Below: Even my fiance has been drafted in to assist with the work! Sarah is seen applying the black lining to the masked panels. We have a few more hours of work to complete this stage of the work, but the difference is already quite marked and certainly renders the livery far more 'complete'. The next cosmetic item on the agenda is a set of four diamonds complete with crests. Something to do after the event is over however...
As previously reported 101 will not make it into public service, but will be displayed with 31 (whose motor will not be returned in time) on the depot fan. 31 now has 'Circular Tour' headboards made and fitted. Both cars will appear in the Saturday evening tram procession for photographers however.

Stainmore 150 1861-2011

27th August 2011

This bank holiday sees the Stainmore Railway Company mark the 150th anniversary of the Stainmore line with a series of events at their Kirby Stephen East Station base. Several attractions were brought together, including Beamish's NER clerestory coach No.3071 (which currently carries the number 818). This is due to return to Beamish next Wednesday.

The event appears to have been a great success on day one, with three to go, and reflects a great deal of hard work by all those involved.

Below: An overall view looking west and showing the NER snowplough No.18 of British Transport Film 'Snowdrift at Bleathgill' fame and visiting from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Below: A close up view of our 3071 inside the trainshed at Kirby Stephen East.

Below: 3071 was paired with the NRM's Fletcher '901' class No.910 (built by the NER at Gateshead in 1875) which has moved on loan to the Stainmore project to recall the class serving out its working life on this route.

Below: Another exhibit with a Beamish connection - the J21, reassembled and painted in order to appear on display at this event, a class synonymous with the route.

Below: Providing one half of the motive power on the passenger shuttle runs was BR Standard Class 2 No.78019 from the Great Central Railway. Two Mark 1 coaches were used for passengers.

Below: Looking west and towards the ultimate destination of Appleby some 12 miles distant...

Below: Another view of 910 and 3071.

Below: At the other end of the train was Peckett 0-4-0ST 'F C Tingey'. This view also shows the platform, complete with period lamps.

Blackpool 11 further testing

24th August 2011

Here are some photos of 11 on test in the late evening sunshine...

Lewin latest - w/c 22nd August 2011

24th August 2011

Below: Lewin's sandboxes were delivered to Vince Allen's workshops in readiness for the next phase in the assembly of the locomotive.

Below: Vince has now riveted the new frame stiffeners and bolted the cylinders in place using new fitted bolts, the originals being anything but!

Below: External rivet heads, these secure the reinforcing plate and are riveted to preserve the appearance of the locomotive.

The valve gear has also been overhauled including boring and bushing of the various joints.

Below: A close up of one of the expansion links. One of these shows evidence of earlier repairs having been completely smashed. Note the new pins.

Not lighter than air!

25th August 2011

Despite being called Balloons, this class of tramcar is certainly not light! Brian, Tom and Peter have been slogging away to change the broken spring with the new one given to us by Blackpool Transport. The pins and hangers are all badly worn and much time and effort (and hammering!) was expended to achieve the results seen below...

Below: At work, bogie jacked and Brian and Tom work to free up the pins and hangers.

Below: The jack is to ease the pressure in order that the springs can be freed. However, as is so often the case things weren't straightforward so the hanger bracket had to come off too!

Below: After a long session the face says it all! Note the spring lying on the floor...

Horse drawn attractions

24th August 2011

In preparation for the Power from the Past event a number of featuring horse drawn exhibits have been under test...

Below: The visiting Glasgow Horse Bus is seen at large around the site...

Below: Tests of the Museum's horse drawn mower have been conducted in the hope that this will also be in use during the event, probably on the events field opposite the fairground.

703 meets 11

24th August 2011

Peter Barlow took these photos yesterday of a happy moment for two Blackpool trams far away from home!

Below: Here they are in black and white, to lessen the difference of livery...

Not to forget 101...

23rd August 2011

Work continues on 101, with the new Sunderland destination blinds now fitted and some repairs made in the light boxes. The end bench seats have also been removed to create more leg room and also reduce the weight on the end structure of the tram, which shows some signs of movement and sag and which should sigh with relief at five less bodies on top!

Below: All lit up to show the new blinds...

Below: Before...

Below: ... and after, but pending tidying up and replacement of some of the lino floor in this area.

Work will also progress on the spring change and repair of hangers/eye bolts.

Vambac on test

23rd August 2011

Well, after a hard days work by the EATM and BTG volunteers, Blackpool 11 was tested around the depot before making its way onto the circuit after hours for further testing, including the usual Pockerley Bank stop/restart. It also enabled the nominated drivers to receive initial instruction and for some of the EATM team to try the car out over a longer run. It is a wonderful tram! Beautifully restored and incredibly smooth in operation, with a series of unfamiliar clicks and whirs from the trolleybase! Andy Martin is preparing a further film of the testing and of the Vambac equipment exposed to show it working, this will appear here shortly so keep looking out for that. It would be appropriate to record here the enormous thanks that the Museum owes the EATM and BTG members for enabling this loan to go ahead and to putting so many voluntary hours into the process of preparing 11 (and 101) to appear at PftP. Meanwhile...

Below: 11 breaks cover and heads onto the main-line.

Below: Out in the countryside and able to show some real pace.

Below: Reversing at the Entrance pending a further running test descent of Pockerley Bank.

Below: And the obligatory photographs in the street!

More exhibits for PftP arrive: Glasgow Horse Bus

23rd August 2011

An exciting and previously unannounced attraction for PftP is this Glasgow three abreast horse bus, which has been loaned for the event. It will be worked by our own heavy horses and is planned to be in use at advertised intervals on a site-circular throughout the event.

Another Blackpool Tramway Survivor at Beamish...

23rd August 2011

It may be of interest to those planning to visit us to see the trio of Blackpool trams (11, 31 and 703/101) that a fourth item of Blackpool Tramway history is at Beamish for all to see...

The wooden derrick that stands adjacent to the Colliery Engine Works came from Thornton Gate PW depot in June 1989 after being offered to Beamish. It is believed that it was in use up until that time and was used for lifting rail etc. It was reassembled at Beamish, including a new pine jib. By 2006 this had perished and the outriggers were showing signs of decay too. The derrick was therefore dismantled and rebuilt with all new timber by the Museum's Friends organisation, being re-erected in December 2007. It is now due a repaint but the photo below shows it ex-works in 2007. A nice piece of history to have here!

Newcastle Trolleybuses Reunited!

23rd August 2011

These are exciting times for electric vehicles! Our Newcastle trolleybus No.501 has made a temporary (6 month) move to the East Anglian Transport Museum. Here it will take place in their Trolleybus Gala Weekend on 10th and 11th September (the weekend after our PftP). The aim is to reunite 501 with 628 and this will be the first time two Newcastle trolleybuses have operated together for over half a century - something not to be missed! It also reunites 501 with 513 once again. The Saturday features late opening in order to see the exhibits at dusk and after dark. More details are available at: www.eatm.org.uk

Below: Here is the EATM's own marketing image, a very attractive piece of photoshopery and highlighting just how bright and modern these vehicles must have looked against the blackened backdrop of an industrial city.

Blackpool 11 runs at Beamish!

23rd August 2011

Blackpool 11 has made its first moves at Beamish as it undertakes test moves around the depot yard. A number of adjustments are being made but as I write this it is shuffling back and forth to prove its interoperability here. As with all things there is an amount of paperwork to complete to evidence this. Line testing will take place out of hours, along with driver training.

Meanwhile the Balloon has received its Sunderland destination blinds and thanks to Blackpool Transport, a new spring has been collected and a full set of brake blocks supplied along with some traction wiring and other drawings. Busy times in the tram shed!

Blackpool 11 arrives!

23rd August 2011

Below: Here are some views of Blackpool Vambac 11 arriving at Beamish yesterday morning followed by unloading and placing in the depot for reassembly and commissioning work to take place. This tram will not be in public service before the event, 1 - 4th September, in order to maintain the 'specialness' of the event! I haven't yet seen it in daylight, so Andy Martin's photos give a good idea of the beautiful restoration carried out on this stylish tram...