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©1999-2007
S.J. Parascandolo

 
 

First Gauging Run (Sandilands - Beckenham Junction)

Sunday 15th August 1999 (0950 - 1730)

See photos below text: -

Tram 2530 had been left parked since Friday between Woodbury Close and Sandilands Jn. It had been wrapped in Black Plastic to prevent vandalism and was under 24 hr guard. When I arrived at 0915, some regulars were already waiting and the covers were coming off (leaving sticky marks all over the tram!) The Unimog was in Woodbury Close but was not to be used on the Sharp curve into the cutting as it was too big. An articulated lift vehicle was attached at the front to pull the tram and the Unimog went by Road to Bingham Rd LC.

At 0950, the tram descended the slope and curved sharply onto the Beckenham Route. Once around the corner, the vehicle was detached and ran to Bingham Road LC where it was removed. The Unimog then went onto the line and ran back to pick up the tram. After some delay, the Unimog came around the bend preceded by the men in Orange jackets. A large crowd had gathered to view the event (Apparently the local store, Alldays had been telling everyone!)

With police assistance, it crossed Bingham Road and into Addiscombe Tramstop. As it did so, the articulated bogie in the centre struck a curbstone on the edge of the crossing. No serious damage was caused. The next problem was old sealants and some concrete dumped next to the crossing at Lower Addiscombe Road. This was moved as the Police and others thought of how poor the planning was! (Surely someone could have walked the route the day before). The tram then continued up the slope back to the original track level. A kind local Carpet store allowed me onto their roof for a pic - Thanks!

The tram moved on to Blackhorse Lane - It waited under the Bridge for a while checking it fitted. I went round to Woodside Jn Footbridge and got some more pics before moving on to Woodside. The gates blocked the access Road so only 1 poor pic here then on to Arena. The tram slowly took the junction towards Beckenham. All the time, the Lift vehicle followed to "act as a buffer in case it runs away!"

The Unimog struggled to clime the steep and sharply curved line up into the country park. Just before the Central Level Crossing, a wooden prop fell from the Unimog prompting a sudden stop. Whilst they fixed it, I ran back to the car and drove round to Harrington Rd. More pics on the curve here and then it climbs away towards the Railtrack embankment.

The Unimog again struggled and needed to use normal traction with wooden blocks being passed from behind it to the front for adhesion on the curve. Progress was slow but eventually it made it to the top, then along to Birkbeck. Lots of clearance checks were made then on to Avenue Road. Lots of observers were on the Bridge then it made rapid progress toward Beckenham.

At Beckenham Road, It paused for some time on the road bridge with the doors open. Eventually moving on to the stop and then the loop. Got a quick pic at Thayers Farm Road Subway and then it moved on. After a delay, the tram rounded the curve into Beckenham Jn. It should be noted that the Birkbeck - Beckenham Railtrack line was blocked (no Sunday service anyway), the mainline was closed too due to point work on the junction.

The tram waited as they measured the clearance with the new retaining wall. Climbing the ramp it was intended to go into the platform nearest to the Railway. However, the first 'stepboard' struck the platform and it was clear it wasn't going to fit!! They backed up and used the other platform.

Everyone including me went to lunch, then it went back. The Unimog ran round at Avenue Road and the Lift vehicle also went to the Beckenham Side. The Unimog was now pulling the tram but running backwards. Everything was fine until the curve at Love Lane. The Unimog stopped - It has since emerged that it derailed 3 times due to the sharp curve - and was detached from the tram. Eventually it ran down to Harrington Road LC to come off and turn around Meanwhile, they decided to release the brakes on the tram and run it under GRAVITY! They did this as far as the point tips where they stopped. The points were checked before the vehicle behind gave it a shove forward and it ran down to the stop.

It waited for the Unimog before entering the ungauged platform. This joined the track at Country Park Central LC and reversed up to the tram. It was coupled up and off they went. A group of locals including some rude, local children watched. The kids were riding up the line on bikes, swearing, taking the piss and contemplating throwing ballast.

The tram continued through the country park. I narrowly avoided a ticket from a Croydon Council attendant for parking on the space adjacent to the crossing at Country Park Central. There are no signs prohibiting this at all!! The tram descended the slope to Arena Jn and slowly crossed the junction before setting off at some speed towards Croydon. The officials in front had to run!

At Addiscombe it was pulled through the crossover and back to test it. It then continued Right Line to Woodbury Close where it was again covered up as OHLE work prevented immediate return to Therapia Lane. A great day to watch.

Everyone said it wouldn't happen - It did! Beckenham with wires missing got a tram before New Addington!

 
Photos
 

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Woodside

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1005

2530 pushed by a Unimog - The first tram to take the Beckenham line

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 646

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham near Arena

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1056

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram from Beckenham at Arena

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1053

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham near Arena Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1052

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Arena

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1051

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram from Beckenham in the Country Park

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1050

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram from Beckenham in the Country Park

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1045

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham near Arena

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1044

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram from Beckenham in the Country Park

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1038

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham in the Country Park

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1098

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Arena Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1028

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Croydon at Harrington Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1099

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham passing the site of Woodside Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 991

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Stroud Road footbridge

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 987

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham approaches Blackhorse Lane

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 979

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to at Blackhorse Lane stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 977

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Bingham Road LC - Addiscombe

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 961

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham crosses Lower Addiscombe Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 959

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Bingham Road LC

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 954

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham leaves Addiscombe

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 952

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram at Addiscombe

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 950

2530 pushed by a Unimog - The first tram to take the Beckenham line

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 652

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Arena Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1037

The Unimog runs round the 2530 - The first tram from Beckenham at Avenue Road

By: Chris Cook

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1137

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram at Beckenham Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1205

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram at Beckenham Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1203

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram into Beckenham Junction but it doesn't fit!

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1201

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram enters Beckenham Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1197

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram into Beckenham Junction but it doesn't fit!

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1195

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram enters Beckenham Junction

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1186

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Beckenham Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1169

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham near Beckenham Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1165

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Beckenham Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1160

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram at Harrington Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1092

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Avenue Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1147

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram from Beckenham leaves Arena

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1049

2530 towed by Unimog - The first tram at Avenue Road

By: Chris Cook

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1135

2530 - The first tram from Beckenham runs under gravity at Love Lane curve!

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1128

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham leaves Birkbeck

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1127

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Birkbeck

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1121

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Birkbeck

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1120

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Birkbeck

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1119

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram at Harrington Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1104

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham at Love Lane curve

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1103

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Croydon at Harrington Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1101

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham near Harrington Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1100

2530 towed by a Unimog - The first tram to Beckenham leaves Avenue Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 15/08/1999

ID: 1153

   
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