As has been reported previously, Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 is currently under overhaul within the Rigby Road workshops having missed the 2015 season completely due to its rather shabby condition. The majority of the current work is generously being funded by Lofthouses, the local firm whose Fisherman’s Friend Trawler logo provided the inspiration for this tram – but further financial assistance will be needed to ensure that it is ready to sail again in time for the 2016 illuminations.
The Lofthouse donation to support the continued operation of the Trawler has turned out to be not quite enough to complete the project. So far the tram has been treated to mechanical attention and a full external repaint, whilst the interior is set to be repainted in order to provide a more pleasant environment for passengers as the previous grey plastic interior was not really befitting a feature car. Meanwhile, the Illuminations Department have been busy designing and preparing the extravagant new lighting features which will adorn the exterior body of the car, but the costs of this mean that the work has gone over budget by more than £6,000.
To make up for this, an appeal for donations has been launched aimed at members of the Fylde Tramway Society, although naturally anyone is welcome to contribute. Details of the appeal and how to help are provided below. Whilst 737 may not be the most popular tram with enthusiasts, it is very popular with the general public and its return to use on illumination tour duties later this year should provide a welcome boost to the heritage operation, which could well help raise useful finance to support other projects in the long term.
(Flyer provided courtesy of the Fylde Tramway Society)
If I could be forgiven for playing devil’s advocate but was this project not supposed to be financed? I do wonder what else that money could be spent on. 143?
On the other hand if all the money this Tram makes once its done goes to Heritage and that money can then be spent on vehicles then fair enough, though the vehicle is hardly being treated as a Heritage car with new lights, cusions etc!
On the flip side back up to strength of 3 cars can only be a good thing as an extra Tram in the lights was missed. And it will allow the poor balloons a break! Now then how about lights on 720 as the natural progression of the doubkle decker? (The Standards had them)