Bournemouth 85 gets a visit from the TMS

It may be recalled that, some time ago, the Tramway Museum Society announced that Bournemouth 85 would be joining the national collection at Crich. On 13th June, a small team of volunteers from the Crich workshop travelled to Christchurch to inspect the tram, and to draw up a plan to extract it from the building in which it currently resides to be transported to its new home in Derbyshire later this year.

85 was last displayed to the public at the now-closed Museum of Electricity at Christchurch, and it remains stored in the town today. Owned by the Science Museum Group, arrangements have been ongoing for a while to transfer it into the care of the TMS, and bearing this in mind representatives of the Crich workshop and Scott’s Heavy Haulage went to see the tram and its current surroundings, so they can draw up a plan for it to be extracted. This is likely to present some challenges, but no doubt such experienced people will be able to take it all in their stride!

Bournemouth 85 is a narrow-gauge tramcar and is therefore unlikely ever to operate at Crich, but it will be an important and very attractive addition to the collection nonetheless. It is understood that the tram will be placed in the Exhibition Hall as a static exhibit, and that this may involve laying an additional rail so that it can be moved in and out of the building more easily. The arrival of a new tram at Crich is always eagerly awaited, and no doubt 85 will be a popular addition at the museum – not least as it represents a system which has never been included in the Crich fleet before.

Bournemouth 85's current home is a little cramped, making photography a little tricky - but this recent view of the car gives a fair impression of its condition, and just how lovely it will look once in place in the Crich Exhibition Hall. (Photo courtesy of Crich Tramway Village)

 

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5 Responses to Bournemouth 85 gets a visit from the TMS

  1. colin says:

    Have no fear, there will be members at Crich pushing for a full return to operation for this vehicle, despite its narrower gauge. They just can’t resist it. Some have no problem in defying logic.

    • Fred says:

      I presume you jest! This is probably one of the few cars which should be left as it is, still largely original and useless at Crich without major investment in infrastructure. A valuable addirion to the collection none the less and will look great in the exhibition hall.

    • Christopher Callan says:

      Now Colin I can hardly be accused of been Crich Tramway Village cheerleader and fair to say to have been pretty vocal critic at times but seems somewhat unfair (perhaps just in jest) to try to twist what is clearly good news for the tramcar.

  2. John Hibbert says:

    I’m glad the owners of Burton and Ashby 14 didn’t have that “can’t do” attitude.

  3. Alan Kirkman says:

    Well I do think everyone should realise Statfold Barn is owned by a Multi Millionaire who came to 14’s rescue because of it local connections. Crich and everywhere else would just love such resources. But he doing a superb job and the world would be a much poorer place without Statfold Barn.

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