If you have ever fancied having a tram body in your back garden now could be your chance as one is to be made available to a good home due to redevelopment. The body is believed to be of a Bournemouth tram and is currently on private property in Milford-on-Sea in Hampshire where it has been ravaged by years although the interior is still largely intact.
No details of which tramcar the body is are known or even which batch of trams it comes from as there is no identification visible anywhere on the body. If it is a Bournemouth tram it is likely to have been in its current home since that system closed in 1936 which will explain why the body is in such a poor state. The solebars and body frame timbers, however, look in fairly good condition but the main “selling point” of this tram is that it has a fairly complete interior including seat covers although there is also a large amount of rubbish dumped inside.
The land on which the tram currently sits has been sold for redevelopment and the new land owner is keen to not only see the body go to a good home but also to be removed as soon as possible.
Unfortunately if this is indeed the body of a Bournemouth the chances of a serious restoration bid must be considered as fairly remote because of the large number of tram bodies from this system still thought to be in existence (many of which are in a much better condition). There is also the added issue that there is a fully intact Bournemouth tramcar about to be made homeless following the closure of the Museum of Electricity in Christchurch which would make a far more suitable bid for preservation if indeed there was anyone out there interested. However it may be that a tram enthusiast out there is looking for a new garden shed and this will fit the bill!
If anyone knows any further details about this tram body or whether they would like to take it off the hands of the landowner please contact us through the normal channels (email or comments) and we will pass it on!
What happened to this? Was it saved?
Still available I believe
Hello
I have just found the article about the Bournemouth tram at Milford that wants a new home as the site will be developed.
We have just restored Bournmouth tram 120 which was used by Cecil Beaton and was in a far worse condition before we started and I would encourage anyone to Have a go at restoration as they make fantastic summerhouses etc.
If however no one wants this tram would the present owner allow us to remove bits that are missing on our tram?
We found the number of our tram behind the ornate wooden curved plate above the door. I do hope that someone takes this on as a project.
Many thanks
David Moore in North Devon