Help us save the train for Blackpool Illuminations season, Blackpool Transport launch public fundraiser for heritage trams

But, in the wake of the pandemic, the Western Train tram – perhaps one of the most recognisable – is sat in the tram fitting shop in Rigby Road still waiting for its rewire and polish while its engineers wait on cash needed to finish the work.

Blackpool Transport has now launched a fund-raiser to help find the £2,500 needed to buy the wires and electrical fittings for a refurb, and to be able to give the loved icon an overhaul and repaint to restore it to its former glory.

Head of heritage Brian Lyndop, who is spearheading the campaign, which The Gazette is today throwing its support behind, said: “During the pandemic we’ve been put into a very peculiar position in that we’ve stopped all operation of our tram cars and we have no income.

“Ordinarily, we would have the money coming in to do the work on our beautiful, iconic vehicles. One of them is the Western Train and currently we’re nine months behind on that restoration project. And at the minute nothing is happening.”

The tram was in the process of being renovated in 2019 but yesterday, more than a year on, it’s still in a stripped back state in a workshop awaiting some tender loving care.

Bosses are offering those giving £50-plus complementary tickets and a first chance to ride the tram when it returns to the tracks later this year.

Bryan added: “Without the help and generous donations from the public, the Western Train is at risk of missing yet another season.”

Heritage Tram Tours is tasked with restoring, preserving and operating Blackpool’s historic collection of trams on the Victorian tramway.

It runs an annual calendar of scheduled tours using a combination of trams dating back to as far as 1901.

The Western Train first operated between 1962 – 1999, and was taken out of service before a Heritage Lottery Funded grant of almost £300,000 – which followed a Gazette campaign – saw it brought back in 2009.

To donate, go online to gofundme.com/f/the-western-train-blackpools-famous-tram

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