| The Restoration Page This page was last updated Sunday 18 April 2004 |
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Current Restoration Projects Update: 04/01/2004 An integral part of the tram preservation movement in the UK is that of restoration. Without any bodies helping to fund and physically complete restoration projects it is obvious that there would be no preservation movement. The whole concept of restoration was really brought into the public limelight in February 2003 when the excellent Channel 4 program Salvage Squad was broadcast covering the work done on Blackpool Coronation 304. This program shows just how big a restoration project is and that it takes a long period of time to complete to a satisfactory standard. Of course the program made it look like everything was all ready for the launch on the show but work had to continue behind the scenes for several months after the program's broadcast. But just what makes a restoration project? On the whole something which is restored is a tram that is being returned to service (or basic cosmetic work) in either its original or a past state, not a completely new shape. Taking Blackpool as an example the rebuilds of the Balloons and Centenaries that have recently taken place are certainly not restorations however the work carried out on Balloon 700 back in 1997 can certainly be seen as a restoration project. There are many trams which are either having work carried out on them at the moment or are waiting their turn when time and money is available. The cost of the restoration of a single tram has exploded in recent years and £200,000 is an average amount needed for any one project to be carried out. One of the purposes of these Restoration pages is a way for you to help make sure future projects can happen. There is a page with links to various organisations who support tramcar restoration such as the Fylde Tramway Society and the Tramway Museum Society. In addition British Trams Online has an affiliate status with amazon.co.uk where any purchases on that site after clicking on links on our pages sees a small percentage given to us. There is also an area on these pages where you can see the latest progress on the current restoration projects in the UK. |