The Douglas Bay Tramway Heritage Trust have announced plans to raise funds to restore Sunshade tramcar 32 to become part of the museum fleet to operate on the tramway. 32 is one of the trams which has been retained by Isle of Man Railways with the intention of it being used on a more limited basis (along with trams 12, 18 and 44) but before this can happen it will need a full restoration.
32 was built by G F Milnes, Birkenhead in 1896 and was the first of six such trams constructed for the horse tramway. Previous single-deck trams delivered to the Isle of Man were of open toastrack design but these so-called Sunshades had the addition of a lightweight wooden canopy with side awnings. In more recent times some modern additions have been made to the tram including wrap around adverts on the roof plus glazed end panels. It is planned that as part of any restoration these modern additions will be removed and it will be restored into as near original condition as possible.
As part of the Isle of Man Railways takeover of the tramway two separate fleets of tram have been designated. The main day-to-day fleet is set to include Toatracks 21, 38 and 42, Winter Saloons 1, 27 and 29, Sunshade 36 and Bulkheads 43 and 45 with the museum fleet featuring Toastrack 12, double decker 18, Sunshade 32 and Bulkhead Royal Tram 44.
If you wish to help bring 32 back to the rails you can make a donation to the Douglas Bay Tramway Heritage Trust by visiting their donation page. If in the event it is not possible to support this restoration any donations will be used towards another tram.