One of Blackpool’s famous illuminated trams looks set for a more prosperous future, following a surprise announcement that the North East Electrical Traction Trust have agreed to purchase the Hovertram 735. This unique tram left Blackpool in 2007 after being sold to the Scottish Transport Trust, but plans to carry out a cosmetic restoration have never materialised, hence the decision to sell the tram to another preservation group.
735 was one of several illuminated feature cars constructed in Blackpool during the 1960s, and in this case the underframe of a withdrawn English Electric Railcoach was to form the basis of a massive 99-seater double deck car. It ran annually on illumination tours until 2001, when it was retired and after a few years in store, it was offered for sale and departed for a new home at Beith in Scotland. Although it has sat untouched since then, crucially it has remained undercover during its entire time in storage, ensuring that its condition has not deteriorated significantly since the tram left Blackpool.
The Hovertram is expected to stay put until later in the year, so that it should not have to endure any time in open storage. It is eventually expected that some restoration work will take place, ensuring that it should become one of the star attractions at the North East Sea, Land & Air Museum near Sunderland, and hopefully this will enable its lights to shine brightly for the first time in more than a decade. Indeed, the remit of this particular museum means that 735 will be a very appropriate addition thanks to its nautical appearance!
However, the costs of acquiring the Hovertram and transporting it back to England will be considerable, and with several other exciting projects already in progress, NEETT have launched an appeal for donations to assist with the preservation of this tram. If you wish to support this worthy cause, please send a cheque made payable to the North East Electric Traction Trust to: NESLAM, Old Washington Road, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 3HZ. Please ensure that any donations are clearly labelled to be directed to the Hovertram fund. The Trust are especially keen to hear from any companies who may be interested in sponsoring 735, but naturally all donations are very welcome, however large or small.
Looking dusty and forlorn, the Hovertram is seen in its current Scottish home, awaiting rescue for display at its planned new home in the North East of England. (Photo courtesey of NEETT)
Celebrate Good Time Come on
Hovers Back for good. Simply fantastic news. Great Work to get this beauty back in England. Lets get this beast back to what it former glory.
What wonderful news! Another unique illuminated tram has been guaranteed a future. Kudos t NEETT for this fantastic purchase. Perhaps 735 will run again one day…
sad that it has been in storage so long,always hoped that it could have brought further north to coatbridge which has a small running tramway but at least if its going to get a cosmetic restoration its better than none
Nice idea but I doubt this would ever have happened as I believe the depot at Coatbridge only has room for 4 trams, and is already full. Presumably if they were able to make more space they probably wouldn’t have got rid of the Graz car or the Leamington horse tram.
I believe there is also the small (literally) issue of a low bridge preventing movement of complete double deck cars in & out of Summerlee…
This is good news, it will be great to be able to see this tram again, I filmed it and rode on it in 2001 just before it was withdrawn. There are some views of the tram in service on Youtube, search on Blackpool trams by night, these show how wonderful the tram looked when illuminated. Whether or not the Hovertram will run again will have to be decided when it reaches Suderland, it was withdrawn because it neede ‘rewiring and a refit’.