Historic Transport
Whilst at Beamish visitors can enjoy unlimited free rides on our historic transport. Hop on board a Beamish tram to start your journey back in time. The tramway runs in a 1½ mile circuit of the museum with stops in or near each of the period areas.
The Beamish fleet consists of six beautifully restored vehicles:
- Gateshead 10 - one of our three local trams, built in 1925.
- Newcastle 114 - built in 1901 for the opening of Newcastle Corporation Tramway.
- Sunderland 16 - built in 1900 and ceased running in 1954.
- Blackpool 31 - was built in 1901 and was in service in Blackpool until 1984.
- Sheffield 264 - (currently undergoing a major overhaul) dating back to 1907.
- Tram 196 - originally from Portugal, built to a pre-First World War design and now painted in Gateshead livery.
A replica bus carries visitors between The Town and Colliery Village, this is based on a type used by Northern General Transport Corporation Ltd in 1913. Recently introduced at Beamish is a brand new ‘old’ bus which links most of the period areas of the museum. J2007 looks exactly like a single deck Northern bus from the First World War years, but is fully accessible for all visitors with a rear wheelchair lift and space for up to four wheelchairs inside.
Click on photo to see a larger version
