Swindon Corporation Tramways - No 13

[reidacus]

I'm doing some research into the old tramway that used to exist in Swindon and it got me interested on if any of the original trams still exist. I've done a bit of digging and as of 2016, it seems car No.13 was still around, albeit stored outside under tarpaulin if the entry here is correct. http://www.tram.rhrp.org.uk/displaytram.php?Ref=T0ZPCWDBRNXMF2IO4JG9

Call me ambitious but my ultimate goal here is to try and launch a campaign to save, protect and eventually restore No 13. The dream would be to see it running at Crich Tramway Museum but I'm a bit stuck from the off. The entry above states she was last somewhere in the 'Forest of Dean, but there's nothing else identifiable from the pictures as to where that is or if it has a custodian today. I don't even know if she still exists as the update is 9 years old now. Posting this in the hopes someone can answer either of those questions or point me in the direction of someone who may be able to help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Obar123]

Seems like there is a charity already set up to save it:
https://register-of-charities.chari...rityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=5094170

 

[reidacus]

Seems like there is a charity already set up to save it:
https://register-of-charities.chari...rityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=5094170

Yes I saw that too and have emailed the address which is on record as there is no website or social media presence for the trust it seems. There was also an article in the Swindon Advertiser from 2016 which had someones email address who was trying to drum up some support at the time as well so i've messaged him as well with fingers crossed.

 

[Lemmy282]

First off it could not run at Crich, Swindon tramways were 3'6" gauge whereas Crich is 4'81/2" gauge. Second you will need deep pockets, assuming most bits are there in the first place a restoration to working condition would be in the region of £400,000. The description on the site describes it as "body only" from which I conclude the truck, wheels and motors are not there, so that cost will rise significantly.

 

[reidacus]

First off it could not run at Crich, Swindon tramways were 3'6" gauge whereas Crich is 4'81/2" gauge. Second you will need deep pockets, assuming most bits are there in the first place a restoration to working condition would be in the region of £400,000. The description on the site describes it as "body only" from which I conclude the truck, wheels and motors are not there, so that cost will rise significantly.

Yes it is body only if that picture is accurate. Nothing stopping it running at Crich as the assumption is it would need bogies fitted at the very least so there is no reason they couldn't be the correct gauge for Crich. If it's a cosmetic restoration rather than a mechanical one, that will reduce cost slightly but I fully agree this will be at least a mid 6 figure amount. But, this is all purely academic if it can't be located in the first place.

 

[Lemmy282]

A tram of this size would have been fitted to a 4 wheel fixed truck, not bogies and it would be very difficult to fit a standard gauge truck to a narrow gauge tram, you can't simply widen things to fit.
A cosmetic restoration would be the best way to go, but as you say until the location of the tram can be established it is all a bit academic.

 

[Gloster]

On the Charity Commission’s Register of Charities the Swindon Tram 13 Trust (charity 1171113) appears to still exist. Its books are up to date to the end of 2023 with an income of £11 and expenditure of £60. Full details and contact address are to found in the entry on the Commission’s website.

 

[Obar123]

I have found a post on Facebook that showd some photos of the tram in a very poor condition: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1a189zNKnK/

From the posts it is at a quarry in Coleford, I assume somewhere in the mess of containers and rubbish that can be seen for Google maps satellite view: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LMTtS489KUT4udew9

That's the most I can find at the moment but it looks like the trust want to display it and not restore to running condition. Looking at more recent photos it seems that even if restoration is possible, it will be like Trigger's broom as the roof has now collapsed aswell!

 

[reidacus]

I managed to get in touch with the chair of the trust and had a productive chat today and the good news is that the tram still exists in 2025, although not in the best of conditions. It seems efforts have ground to a halt as the sticking point is where it is going to be displayed and where can it be stored to work on in the meantime and trustees are a bit disheartened. There's hopefully going to be a meeting soon to align everyone on if there is a path forward, which I really hope there is.