Earlier this week we talked about Blackpool trams ending up in unusual locations for unusual purposes and another tram which falls into that category is Blackpool Brush 636. The Brush Railcoach – which originally left Blackpool as long as ago as 2006 – has been on the move again with it finding its way to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it is believed further testing will take place.
Since withdrawal in Blackpool at the end of the 2004 season 636 has led a rather nomadic and elusive life. Having been acquired by Stored Energy Technology the tram left the northwest for Derby in 2006 where it received attention which involved the fitting of an experimental motor and bogie. A return to Blackpool for testing on the tramway followed in 2009 (with the section between Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate closed to allow for the testing to take place during the close season) after which it headed back to Derby. Apart from a brief trip to Long Marston in 2014 not much has been known of 636 in recent years but all that has now changed with the tram moving a few miles to north of its long-term home.
Details of what is being tested and how long it will be staying at Wirksworth will be released in due course.
636 - still carrying the Dark Green and Yellow Metro Coastlines livery - is unloaded at Wirksworth on 13th July. (Photograph by Martin Miller)
Such a shame that car ended up like that as it had the potential to be restored much easier than others, the roof windows would have been very easy to restore as the panelling was new over the gaps (when it went Metro) and it still has the remains of the standee windows.
But so do all many others – as seen in 634 and 637 restoration. 636 simply didn’t have the internal coves panelled.
625 is just cladding over the roof Windows and over the smaller Windows below. Once I’ve removed the top pannelling it will all become exposed, then it’s just a matter of getting the Windows made and new frames to re-instate it all. Probably find with most of the brush cars it’s just cladding over the original features. Just a shame the original features aren’t in existence, just evident as to where they used to be. But least that helps for restoration.
I’d forgotten it went to Long Marston – looks like it only stood on display at an event though
https://www.flickr.com/photos/banburybob/14289409857/in/photolist-Jpuchf-F5KERE-FeqtRN-nLGXHt-nMnsYu-o4KbdY-g6kUEL-xwgMN7-pSLJ73-snd1ax-sVEFjE
Can anyone out there tell us what this revolutionary ‘wheel gain’ technology is exactly? Just from looking at it, this project appears to be very similar to the experiments carried out on an OMO car in the 90s, which lead to the TPL Pullman LRV. In that case theye were very secretive about the fact the motor was driven by a cardan shaft (ironically something modellers of Blackpool trams had been doing for quite a while thanks to the excellent Tramalan kits!
As this is storred energy tech, I assume it has something to do with Parry Associates, who have previously had a good number of their experimental people movers at Wirksworth. Martin, can you tell us more please?
When Stored Energy Technologies are ready to share more information on the project I am sure they will. People will just have to wait until that time comes.
There is more information on Stored Energy Technology’s webpage which should answer your question. In addition, if you contact them through the web page, they will happily answer your questions, they are very friendly people!
I doubt that mytesttrack.com are likely to jeopardise their commercial interests by divulging details of their clients’ projects. It is for Stored Energy Technology to make public what they are doing.