Met Rowan from the Bluebell carriage works today, a great guy and a very knowledgeable one. I had taken some photos , so he got some idea of 53's construction.He reckons it would be a teak frame. Rowan gave a very sobering account of what you need to do, including health and safety issues, and also the perils of poor preservation. I think cost wise between £15,000 to 20,000 for the body We also talked about where it would end up, and I am not sure about this.A very useful day.

Just worked out the price for a new truck from Oz, £78,323.27, anyone?

Have got back in contact with the Bluebell, and will see the carriage works people tomorrow. Still waiting for Crich, and have designed a membership form, so join, if you dare! The next move is to start work on the shed to bring it up to scratch.

Late last night i was surfing the net for tram kits, yes, it's that bad, and found an Aussie tram trust that makes new Brill 21E Trucks! That would be very long term and I didn't work out the cost from Aussie dollars, but......tout est possible!

I am now waiting to hear form the National tramway Museum at Crich for some idea of the construction of the body and frames, and also the choice of wood and joints.I want to make sure it is taken apart carefully! I did have an appointment with the Bluebell Railway Coach Dept, but due to the snow, will have to re-book. Watched a DVD called "No Trolleys to Aquarium", all about public transport in Brighton, which had the sad spectre of the Brighton trams being burnt, not a good sight! This is the last chance......

One of the most important steps has been agreed upon, where to restore the tram.The owner has agreed to extend the present shed it is in, and completely enclose it, power is next door and can easily be fitted to the shed, so that is a major stepping stone. One problem is finding the official plans, whether they survive in some dusty corner of the Council or elsewhere, I do not know, but it is the interior that is lacking in detail .There is one photo, but again, if you know of any others, please let me know.Please bear in mind it is the "F" class, though whether much altered between classes, I don't know!

This project has just got off the ground and a legion of tram heroes are being sought.If you want to help please contact me through this blog, or e-mail at tram53project@yahoo.com

Hello, welcome to the blog spot for the restoration of Brighton tramcar Number 53.This tram is the last of the eighty cars run by Brighton Corporation from 1901 to 1939.The aim of the project is to restore the body, add fittings and as a longer term aim, to re-mount on a truck.
The tram currently resides on a farm in Sussex, but now after many years neglect, a group is being formed to restore her glory!Follow the explosive epic here!