Seaton 17 goes undercover

In an unexpected development we can report that the Seaton Tramway is to get a fourth fully enclosed single deck saloon tram. Crossbench 17 is currently in the workshops being converted from its original 1988 condition.

17 was introduced into the Seaton fleet back in 1988 and was probably the UK’s first disabled access tram with some of the seats removable to allow for the wheelchairs to be carried although it was still necessary for ramps to be used. Based on the crossbench design of the Manx Electric Railway, 17 was also painted in similar colours to the MER. As the years have worn on the need for 17 to be used for wheelchairs has diminished, particularly with the introduction of the three “new” trams – 9, 10 and 11 – which also have wheelchair accommodation albeit with more cover than that on 17. It has nonetheless proved to be a fairly popular tram although most visitors to Seaton have preferred to travel upstairs on double deckers leading to this decision for its conversion. What is possibly more surprising about this decision is that a few years ago Seaton had acquired the derelict body of Bournemouth tram 101 with a view to converting this into a enclosed saloon tramcar but presumably the work on 17 will be cheaper.

The rebuilding of 17 continues a tradition of rebuilding trams at Seaton and its Eastbourne predecessor (with 12 the most rebuilt of all trams having started off life as a single decker before its two different double deck designs) but this marks the first occasion for many years that the workshops have been involved in this work. 17 will also become the first enclosed single decker at Seaton since 12’s conversion way back in 1978 which isn’t a rebuilt full size tram.

It is not known when the work on 17 will be completed.

* More photos of the work on 17 will be included in a Seaton Tramway gallery which will be added in the coming weeks.

17 in Riverside Depot during the early stages of the conversion work. (Photograph by Keith Chadbourne)

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3 Responses to Seaton 17 goes undercover

  1. Kev says:

    How strange! I suppose it shows either the changing trend of the public’s appetite or the weather! What an interesting project – have any drawings been published of what the car is expected to look like? A sort of hybrid glasshouse by the look of it.
    Having travelled on the original 17 I’m tempted to go and have a look! Just shows the wonderful can do attitude of Seaton.

  2. Nigel Pennick says:

    It is a tribute to the skills of the craftspeople at Seaton that they can undertake successful radical rebuilds and continue the development of traditional British trams in the 21st century.

  3. Ken Walker says:

    Quite disappointed to hear that this unique tram in the Seaton fleet is going to be spoilt. Presumably they don’t need the wheelchair facility now with the 3 modern cars.

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