Sad news to report is that one of the many ex-Blackpool trams currently in outside storage has been vandalised. Centenary car 646 was the victim of a mindless act by vandals overnight on 2nd/3rd October, which has left the tram with seven smashed windows. However, things could have been a lot worse as apparently a previous attempt was made a few days earlier to set the tram on fire.
646 is one of two Centenary cars to be owned by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, although its preservation was actually financed by Paul Gaunt, the local company owner who has advertised on the car since 2001. The tram was moved to the firm’s premises earlier this year having been withdrawn from service late in 2011, but unfortunately the site in question is completely exposed leaving it very vulnerable – as has unfortunately been proven this week.
The local press have publicised the plight of 646, with the Blackpool Gazette reporting on the damage caused by vandals. Their article contained some inaccuracies, such as stating that 646 is one of seven trams built in 1985 when the Centenary class consisted of eight trams, and 646 itself actually dates from 1987. Describing the tram as ‘one of the last few survivors of its type’ is also rather odd as all eight of the class survive, with all but one remaining on the Fylde Coast!
Mr Gaunt has told the press that “we may have to think about putting a tarpaulin over it to protect it” although he has also stated that many enthusiasts enjoy viewing the tram, which obviously would be spoilt if this happens. However, it would undoubtedly be in 646‘s best interests for it to be covered over; although far from ideal, this would offer a small amount of protection and could hopefully prevent a repeat of this awful incident.
Local Police are now investigating this act of vandalism and anyone who may have seen anything suspcious in relation to the incident is advised to contact the authorities.
This is very sad news, the lowlife who carry out these kinds of act have no consideration for other people’s property. If these people are so bored why didn’t they offer to clean or repaint it instead of trying to destroy it?
Yes unfortunately this is typical of the depths to which this country has now sunk, and the extent and expense that those who preserve our heritage have to go to in order to protect it must sometimes make them wonder why they bother, especially when an item on which a lot of time and money has been spent gets wrecked or burned to the ground despite security measures, as has happened on preserved railways in recent times. We must of course be grateful to Paul Gaunt for providing temporary storage for 646, and he cannot be expected to spend a fortune on protecting someone else’s property
To Ken Walker, I would say this sir. So you think vandalising trams left out in the open is a new phenomenon and emblematic of the current state of broken Britain? Cast your mind back to the late 50’s early 60’s, full employment, stable pound, nobody up to the eyeballs in debt. And yet on the Middleton Railway, most of the trams stored there were wrecked beyond salvation. These people do it simply because the trams are there and represent a temptation to the bored and shiftless . Has no-one learned the lessons of that time? Seems not.
No Howie I don’t think it is a new phenomenon, but if I remember rightly vandalism on the scale of the Middleton railway was rare then whereas now it is the norm. That is the difference, just like the scale of things like burglary, although that might be due to the fact that many families had nothing worth stealing in those days, or the fact that there was a chance of getting more than a slap on the wrist if you got caught
Back in the 1950s, vandalism avoidance was one of the main reasons why the TMS chose such a remote and rustic location for the Tramway Museum, unfortunately making it less accessible to its clientele and volunteers as well as to vandals.