Blackpool 11 Visiting Beamish Museum - VAMBAC Mechanism
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Description
A rare chance to see the VAMBAC mechanism of Blackpool 11 in operation before testing at Beamish Museum. In 1939 the English Electric Company supplied twelve 'Sun Saloons' to Blackpool Corporation Transport for use on the seafront in fine weather and to bolster the open 'Boat' fleet. They were numbered 10 -- 21 and soon became known as cattle trucks by soldiers stationed in Blackpool during WW2. As a result of this use they were rebuilt with fixed roofs (in place of sliding) and upper side glazing (which was previously open). The seats were wooden, adding to their utilitarian usage. In 1947 a second round of rebuilding commenced after the inland Marton route had been relaid and left very little in the pot for new trams. As a result the 'Marton Vambacs' came into Blackpool tramway mythology. Fitted with Maley & Taunton HS44 6ft bogies with resilient wheels and prop-shaft drive, the star feature of these superb looking cars was the Vambac control equipment. Vambac -- Variable Automatic Multinotch Braking and Acceleration Control -- enabled smooth and rapid acceleration and braking through use of a lever rather than the traditional controller and handle. By August 1952 all twelve Vambac trams were in intensive use on the Marton route though their promise was cut short ten years later when the route was closed. No.11 was initially earmarked for the TMS collection at Crich but with an influx of trams there rendered this impractical and Leeds 602 already there provided the technological representative. 11 then found sanctuary at Havant, the plan being to operate it on the Hayling Island branch line which had severe weight restrictions for conventional heavy rail stock. This too proved to be stillborn so 11 was saved and moved to the East Anglian Transport Museum at Carlton Colville near Lowestoft. Here it saw use between 1978 and 1984 with the Vambac equipment bypassed. From 1984 until 2005 it was extensively restored by volunteers at the museum. Earmarked to play a role in the 2010 Blackpool Trams 125th anniversary, this was unfortunately unable to happen for various reasons. However, Beamish was delighted that after its own Sheffield 513 had settled down at the EATM on loan, the museum agreed to a visit by 11 to Beamish for the Power from the Past event 1-4 September 2011. After testing and commissioning the tram was passed for operation at Beamish for the four days of the event and it is seen in operation in this short film. -
Owner
Beamish Museum -
Source
Beamish Museum (Youtube) -
License
What does this mean? Standard Youtube License
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Further information
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIdWvhRyhJo
Resource type: Video
Last modified: 6 years, 5 months ago
Viewed: 605 times
Picture Taken: Unknown -
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