Following the recent surprise announcement that the North East Electrical Traction Trust have been negotiating to acquire the illuminated Blackpool ‘Hovertram’ 735, another equally surprising yet pleasing piece of news has followed. The car’s new owners have now confirmed a provisional agreement which could see this unique tram return home, to be restored at Blackpool’s Lightworks.
The Hovertram has languished in Scotland since leaving Blackpool six years ago, although crucially it has remained undercover for this entire time. With NEETT having agreed to purchase the tram from the museum where it currently resides, the organisation have been very quick to make plans for its future, in stark contrast to the lack of any progress on it since it first entered preservation. The Trust now have an agreement in place for 735 to go to the premises of Blackpool’s Illuminations Department, where it would be restored back to its former glory. As the tram has not operated or even been fully illuminated since 2001, this would be a fantastic achievement and is definitely a cause worth supporting. The only obstacle is likely to be funding, and as reported previously, a special appeal has already been launched to finance its preservation.
Although no firm plans are yet set in stone for the future prospects of the Hovertram once the required work is completed, NEETT have already announced that they are willing to loan it back to Blackpool Transport, opening up the exciting possibility that it may join the other feature cars on illumination tours following restoration! Although this is just one possibility being considered at this stage, it is great to see this organisation are once again prepared to work closely with others to offer its vehicles a bright future.
If you would like to contribute towards the appeal to fund 735‘s purchase and its transportation back to Blackpool, please send a cheque to the address shown on the image below. All donations given towards the Hovertram appeal will only be used for this purpose and will not be spent on any of NEETT’s other projects.
