The Telford Steam Railway have launched an appeal to raise funds which will return their narrow gauge steam tram engine to use. It last ran in 2019 after its vertical boiler was condemned and now funding is needed to replace this as well as give some much needed attention to the carriage.
The steam tram runs on a 2 foot gauge circular route at the Telford Steam Railway. It was built by Alan Keef Ltd in 1979 and originally ran in Telford Town Park before moving to the Steam Railway in the mid 1980s. It has since given many years of excellent service but the time has now come when it needs major attention which is where the fundraiser comes in.
There are two main strands of work which the monies raised are needed for. The first of these (estimated to cost £20,000) is the construction of a new vertical boiler which will have to be contracted out as the Telford Steam Railway are unable to do this onsite. After this is completed the second stage (estimated cost £5,000) would see the boiler being fitted to the steam tram and then both the engine and coach would need to be renovated to return them to a serviceable condition.
Currently the only operational steam tram engine in the UK is “Lucie” which can be found at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, so the example at Telford would be a rarity in the country.
- Donations to the appeal can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/telford-steam-tram-restoration-fund. Anyone who donates will automatically become a supporter of the Telford Steam Tram and will receive regular updates on how restoration is progressing and also news about when it is running again.