Newcastle 114         In 2001 114 celebrated her hundredth birthday. This was marked on 20th October when she appeared decorated and polished for the weekend. Waiting to go to the party, 114 is standing outside the tram depot.

114's 100th birthday morning started off rather misty. Here's an atmospheric view of the centenerian leaving the depot.

114 is one of twenty four-wheel open-top short-canopied 'A- Class' tramcars built in 1901 by Hurst Nelson and Co. Ltd., Motherwell, for Newcastle Corporation Tramways. As delivered by the makers it had wooden seats for 53 passengers and was mounted on a 6' 6'' wheelbase Brill 21E truck equipped with GE 58 motors and BTH B3 controllers.

During their lives these vehicles were extensively rebuilt, one of the early improvements being the provision of a top cover for the upper deck seats. The majority of these trams, including 114, were sold to Sheffield in 1941, to replace war-damaged vehicles. After further upgrading, they performed useful service until final withdrawal in the early 1950s.

The body of 114 was discovered on an arable farm near Scunthorpe, and after several moves it arrived at Beamish in 1987. Total rebuilding has been carried out using a mixture of contract, museum and volunteer labour, and incorporating as many original parts as was practicable. A suitable truck with GE 270 motors was acquired from Oporto in 1989 which was restored and modified to suit 114's dimensions. Two BTH B18 controllers were also collected, rebuilt and installed, and the tram totally rewired to modern safety standards.

The whole restoration project took nine years to complete, culminating in 114 returning to passenger service in May 1996. Sufficient of the original body parts have been retained and incorporated to preserve the tram's pedigree, and 114 now stands as the unique example of this type of tram to survive.

Members of the Tramway Group with Newcastle 114 on test in early 1996		The author caught driving 114 on 11 July 1998

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