Southampton 45 raised from the dead!

Welcome news from the Crich Tramway Village, is the commissioning of Southampton 45 following a year-long lay-off. On Saturday 5th April, the tram was taken up to Glory Mine on a test run, and now looks set to rejoin the operational fleet imminently having sat idle during the entire 2013 season.

45 last ran at the end of 2012, and was then withdrawn due to concerns regarding the general deterioration of its condition. Apart from a very brief spell away from the museum in connection with the Notts & Derby Tramway Centenary event at Kimberley, the car spent most of 2013 tucked up inside the Exhibition Hall, but was extracted and moved back into the running sheds earlier this year, with Newcastle 102 taking its place. Although it was suspected that this was in preparation of the car being returned to use for the ‘Electric 50’ event in September, it has come as quite a surprise that the tram has been commissioned so early in the year. Hopefully this will enable 45 to operate throughout 2014, providing an extra open top tram in the running fleet which is bound to be a popular decision.

Southampton 45 has a very special place in the national collection, as it was of course the first tram to be preserved by founder members of the Tramway Museum Society, and went on to become one of the first trams to carry passengers at Crich. It was therefore only right that it returns to service for the 50th anniversary year of electric tramcar operation at the museum, and hopefully it will be one of the stars of the much anticipated September events. However, we must bear in mind that this tram has not received much workshop attention for quite some time and therefore its comeback will probably only be a temporary one, unless the required funds for it to be overhauled can be found – so be sure to take a ride on 45 while you have the chance! For now though, the TMS deserve full credit for enabling this much-loved tram to play its part in their historic year, and hopefully its reactivation will be much appreciated by visiting enthusiasts during the coming months.

Southampton 45 is seen escaping from the Exhibition Hall on 1st February; the first step towards the popular tram being returned to the operating fleet for 2014. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)

 

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10 Responses to Southampton 45 raised from the dead!

  1. James Robinson says:

    Strange how Crich can find funds for Blackpool trams and not for this iconic vehicle ????

    • Daniel says:

      Which Blackpool tram are you referring to?

    • Phill says:

      Said Blackpool trams need less money spent on them, and there’s probably more interest, and hence donations, to tap into. Also, 45 isn’t going anywhere while getting the boat, brush car, 762 etc saved them from scrap. Meanwhile, box 40 only needs a truck overhaul.
      45 needs some serious body work, from my rough knowledge of the car I believe some of it hasn’t been touched since Southampton last went in there? Though I may well be wrong. Either way, I’d imagine you’re talking a couple of £100K to sort it. Personally I’d love to see it done, if the premium bonds ever cough up…

      • Andrew says:

        £200 000! For a tramcar overhaul! The costs of restorations at Crich are now falling into the realms of fantasy land! Is it pick a number, double it and then add a zero? 45 has been overhauled three times at Crich, how much of the original Southampton issues can be left to tackle?

        • Phill says:

          Morning,

          As it happens, this particular time I (a private individual trying to answer a sensible question) made a half arsed guess for the purpose of demonstrating something else. I may have guessed a bit high (!), probably due to too much whisky in my cocoa. My apologies on this. Mind you, it is most amusing what longs legs this figure has grown already! However, do remember we’re talking bodywork here, I believe skilled woodwork is more expensive. Yes, it has had various attentions over the years, but it has also been ran, and experienced the passage of time. Basically, beware what rubbish you read in internet comments! And why do people only believe what I say when it’s wrong?

    • Tommy Carr says:

      You also have to remember blackpool were selling the trams crich have just got cheap. Even if they weren’t purchased, there probably wouldn’t be enough funds for 45 anyway.

      • Andrew Waddington says:

        BTS actually donated the Blackpool cars to Crich. If people want 45 to be overhauled then funds will be found I’m sure, but bearing in mind that the TSO have just paid a substantial sum to put Sheffield 510 get back into working order, and the LCCTT are actively fundraising for LCC 1, another appeal may well struggle to raise a significant sum. At the end of the day though it depends on what trams people will support financially, and generally the Blackpool and London cars seem to attract the most donations.

    • Christopher says:

      Never understood the blackpool debate. Likes of Dreadnough 59, OMO5 and many more priceless Blackpool Cars un restored their. & some that never made it their.

      • John West says:

        This is what annoys me about crich! Yes by all means have a store for paraphernalia and ephemera, but there shouldn’t be any trams abandoned in an old goods shed next to a railway line! There are enough heritage tramways/preservation societies in the UK that space could be found somewhere! Blackpool dreadnought is the most priceless of all british trams. It’s of a unique design that was unique to the town. It shouldn’t be festering!

        • NotchArrestor273 says:

          The trams at Clay Cross are not abandoned, like virtually every other museum across the world the Tramway Museum has artefacts in storage that are not accesible to the public. The trams at Clay Cross are in a better storage situation than the cars at Crich in fact, due to the better, more stable, atmospheric conditions. If 59 was stored at Crich with the depot doors constantly being opened & closed it would disintegrate far more quickly. DHMD 1 is undoubtedly the most priceless tramcar in the national collection, and the most remarkable, look at its size and then seating capacity and then consider that it also towed a trailer, astonishing. You need to expand your horizons beyond the Fylde coast.

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