Restoring tram Number 53
I have been a tram fan since I was a kid, and last summer, I wanted to make an OO gauge Brighton model tram. I got hold of plans from Terry Russell in Horsham, who had drawn them from an original tram, and it was my intention to make a model using them.
An original tram
Then there was one of those twists of fate. It came to my attention that there was an original tram still around. So to cut a long story short, I traced it to a farm in Sussex. Having seen the beauty in early December, and knowing it is the last one left, I asked the owner permission to do something about restoring it. He told me that he had tried in the 1980s, but really didn’t have enough time or money.
Restoration project
I had an impulse to make an effort to get the resources together to attempt restoration of this terrific piece of transport history. Luckily enough my missus is a very understanding lady and she agreed I could make a start. I cannot do it alone, but things are happening, and a base has been sorted out for the Number 53 project.
Want to find out more?
Anyone who would like to find out more about the project, please contact me. tram53project@yahoo.com. Please also visit my blog at http://btontram53.blogspot.com
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Terry Russell’s web site is at http://www.terryrusselltrams.co.uk. How is progress on the model coming along?
The model has been shelved for the moment- I am working on a few others. I need to finish two Sheffields, a Birmingham car and a Blackpool 53 is also beginning to get some attention, as well as our Gratz tram. See the website http://www.brightontram53.org.uk
Hi. Do you know if Macartney and McElroy had any input into Brighton trams? They are a company that worked worldwide; they lived in Malta.
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