Further details of the Tramway Museum Society’s plans for Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 607
– to be known by its original fleet number of 236 on arrival at Crich – have been confirmed in the latest edition of the TMS Journal, which is distributed every three months to members of the Society. Subject to the success of an appeal for donations towards the project, it is hoped that the tram will receive a few extra embellishments which will potentially make a surefire crowd pleaser look even more attractive.
Hopefully 236/607 will receive festoon lights, similar to prototype Boat car 600 which of course is now part of the heritage tram fleet in Blackpool. It has also been proposed that the car could receive illuminated panels within its trolley tower, inspired by those fitted to the class during the 1950s. As previously written, the tram is being restored to original condition minus windscreens and will therefore appear in 1930s style green and cream livery, again, as per 600.
Unfortunately there is a negative side to this potentially good news, as these additions will
only be fitted if sufficient funds are raised. Some time ago an appeal was launched to pay for the restoration of this Boat car, which both the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation and the Fylde Tramway Society have generously supported. It is now known that a target of £95,000 has been set to complete the project – which seems a rather hefty sum considering how little there actually is to a Boat tram! The figure also compares rather unfavourably with similar restorations elsewhere; for example, the East Anglia Transport Museum’s beautiful Blackpool VAMBAC 11 cost less than this to restore. Any shortfall in funds raised will lead to the TMS having to raid its own financial reserves, and so the illuminations will not be fitted in order to cut costs. If the work is approved however, it is expected that they will be fitted during winter 2012-13, so there should be chances to see and photograph 236 without them this summer whatever is decided.
Meanwhile, 236 itself left the Body Shop at Blackpool earlier this week and has reportedly
been moved back onto the tram lift inside the main depot for its newly refurbished bogies to be fitted. The tram will then move to the Paint Shop and is likely to leave Rigby Road for its new home soon after.