Burton & Ashby 14 – the tram that was repatriated from Detroit in 2015 – looks set to run in service at the Statfold Barn Railway during their 1940s weekend, taking place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July.
14 is the only surviving tram from the Burton and Ashby Light Railways system which ran for 10 miles between 1906 and 1927. It was the only tramway to be operated by the Midland Railway. The tram was one of 20 built by Brush of Loughborough and after the closure of the tramway, 14 was sold locally and was used as a shed until the 1970s when it was rescued for preservation.
Restoration took place by local enthusiasts but it was then sold to Detroit in the USA in 1980 and ran there until 2003, at which time the line it operated on was closed. 14 was put up for auction in 2014 and after a winning bid was accepted it came back to the UK and the Statfold Barn Railway in early 2015. After restoration – and the construction of a 3’ gauge line – the tram returned to service in 2017 (fitted with batteries to avoid the need to install overhead) and has seen regular use at the railway ever since.
It has now been confirmed that it is planned that 14 will be in use during the Rails to Victory weekend at the Statfold Barn Railway on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July. Full details of the event can be found at https://statfold.com/rails-to-victory/.
- This isn’t the only 1940s Weekend taking place over that weekend involving trams either! The East Anglia Transport Museum will also have an event on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July with all the usual attractions on offer plus visiting vehicles, music and trade stands.