Funding appeal success in Blackpool

Its always pleasing to be able to report some good news and there is double good news from Blackpool where not one but two recent funding appeals have reached their targets meaning work can start in earnest on a restoration whilst another tram is now a permanent member of the heritage collection. The trams in question are Paisley 16 and the illuminated Hovertram.

As you will probably remember the Hovertram returned to Blackpool in September 2016 but at that stage it was only back on a long-term 20 year loan from its owners the North Eastern Electric Traction Trust (NEETT). However, NEETT did offer the Blackpool Heritage Trust the chance to purchase the tram outright and to this end an appeal was launched in March 2017 to raise the funds.

£3,500 was needed to purchase the Hovertram – a generous offer from NEETT as they had invested double that figure since acquiring the tram from Scotland – and this has now been raised which means 735 is now a fully fledged member of the Blackpool Heritage Trust fleet. This will allow the trust to make firm plans to return the tram to the rails safe in the knowledge that once it is back in service it will be staying on its home tramway.

At the same time as the Hovertram appeal was launched the trust had also asked for help with starting the restoration of Paisley 16. This was phase one of the project and the aim was to restore the 4 wheel truck in order to create a rolling chassis onto which the body can eventually be restored. The appeal was looking for money to fund the purchase of new tyres for the four wheel truck which cost £500 per tyre. One tyre had already been funded but the Blackpool Heritage Trust have now confirmed that the rest of the money has now been pledged and the new tyres have now been ordered. It is just the start of the restoration but is a significant milestone in the project which will bring a much needed traditional open top double decker into the operating fleet.

It will be many years before we see either of these trams – which are sure to turn heads and be popular with not only enthusiasts but the general public – running on Blackpool Prom but this news is a great starting point for their future operating lives.

The Blackpool Heritage Trust have also confirmed that their next appeal will be launched very soon.

The Hovertram is seen on its return to Blackpool on 22nd September 2016 shortly before unloading started. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)

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