A tram which once ran on Bournemouth Corporation Tramways is heading to auction. No. 113 has been in use as an office by Plankbridge (a firm who specialise in making and restoring shepherd’s huts) for around a decade but they have now decided it is surplus to their requirements and so are putting it up the sale which will be taking place on 3rd April.
Bournemouth 113 was the first of a batch of 20 trams built for the Corporation by Brush between 1924 and 1926 (making it 100 years old this year) but it would only run for 12 years at which time the last tram routes in the town closed and trolleybuses took over. Whilst five of the trams in this batch were included in those sold on for use on the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway, 113 was not one of these and it trod a familiar path being sold on for further use.
It eventually found its way to a farm in Milton Abbas (in Dorset) and it was there that Richard Lee, co-owner and founder of Plankbridge, noticed it and decided to acquire the body and take it to their headquarters in Piddlehinton. They then restored the interior of the lower deck (it was only the lower deck which survived, as is the case for many survivors) and have used it as an office in recent years.
But all good things come to an end and they have now decided to sell the tram and this will be happening at an auction run by Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers in Sherborne.
Speaking about the decision to sell the tram, Richard Lee, said: “It seemed a great idea to use the tram car as an office as it perfectly complements our shepherd hut manufacturing business. Whilst it has served us well over the past 10 years, it is now time to let the next custodian look after it.”
The listing for the tram says that the body is in “original condition, rather than being restored, it still retains many fascinating features. These include ruby glass panels and painted signage with “NO SMOKING ALLOWED”, “15 SEATS EACH SIDE” and “DO NOT SPIT IN THE CAR” remaining clearly visible”. It measures 23 fleet long by 7.5 feet wide.
Its suggested that it could be used by the next owner as an office or studio, be converted into additional accommodation for family, be developed into an Airbnb business or even possibly restored back to its former glory from 100 years ago by enthusiasts.
It has an estimate of £3,000-£4,000 and is currently stored in the dry at Plankbridge’s headquarters. It is available to view by appointment through Charterhouse by calling 01935 812 277.
- Photos of the current condition of the tram are available on the Charterhouse website at https://charterhouse-cars.com/product/100-year-old-tram-made-by-the-brush-electrical-engineering-company