Over the past few years the Brighton Tram 53 Society have been working on restoring the sole surviving passenger tram from the Brighton system – but that is not the only tram from Brighton which actually survives as Works car 1 is also still in existence and the Society have been given the chance to secure this tram’s future too.
Works Car 1 was purpose built in 1910 and was initially in use as a snowplough before being converted into a general purpose works car – the only works car in the fleet. It remained in use until it was sold on for further use when Brighton Corporation Tramways closed in 1939 and ended up in use as a shed in a garden. The owners of the tram have now passed away and the family have given it the Brighton Tram 53 Society – but there is a catch! The family have requested that it is replaced by a new shed – and a deadline of April 2019 has been given for this to happen.
The Society are now appealing for assistance to secure this unique Works Car for the future. They are looking for assistance either by donating money or on the practical side of moving the tram. A frame needs to be built to allow the tram to be lifted safely (it no longer has any subframe) and it will also be necessary to hire a crane and a lorry to lift and transport the tram. Once all that is sorted a location for the storage of the tram needs to be arranged too.
If anyone can help with any of the above please contact the Brighton Tram 53 Society directly – contact details are available on their website.
This is a rare opportunity to save a tram from a system not exactly overly represented in tram preservation and the Brighton Tram 53 Society need your help now!
Works Car 1 as it is today. (Photograph courtesy of Brighton Tram 53 Society)