By the time you read this the official launch into public service of the unique Manchester Horse Tram L53 will have taken place. The tram features the Eades Patent Reversible truck and has been the subject of a loving 25 year restoration.
The tram had stood by the side of a house near to Glossop for years and had been in use as a hairdresser’s salon, a fish and chip shop and a chicken store. This was until Geoff Senior rescued it and asked his woodwork teacher if he could restore the tram as part of his A-level course.
Geoff Senior said: “When I decided to do A-level woodwork the society had just rescued the remains of the tram and they mentioned that it would be nice to do something for it as part of the project. I spoke to Jack Fletcher [his woodwork teacher] and he just said that it was a bit different to the Welsh dressers that people had usually made, but that he thought we could cope. I went around various farm outbuildings in Greater Manchester where these panels were being used and we looked at old plans. Then we built these 15ft long side panels with window spaces."
The Eades Reversible truck meant that horses did not have to be unhitched at the end of the journey. Instead they could be walked round the tram – still attached – and would then be able to continue the journey. This is the only known surviving tram to have been fitted with the reversible truck which was developed by coach builder John Eades in 1887 – a spare truck is located at the National Tramway Museum in Crich.
Geoff added: “Of the 500 of these trams that ran in Manchester, this is the last surviving one. And of all the horse trams that survive in the country this is the only one built to this patent. Now it looks superb and we are really proud of it. It's going to be a delight to see the fruits of our labours when people enjoy riding in it."
The retired woodwork teacher – Jack Fletcher – was amongst the first to get a ride on the tram. He said: “He was always late getting homework in, but 25 years is a bit much. There has been a lot of work has gone into this and it looks beautiful."
* The official public launch of the tram – with special commemorative tickets – was scheduled to take place on Sunday 30th March 2008. British Trams Online hope to have photos next week.
* The April 2008 edition of Old Glory magazine has an article on the restoration of the tram. The magazine is available in all good newsagents.
* A BBC North West Tonight video report on the press launch can be found here.
Source: Manchester Evening News