Boston Works Open Day, May 2014

All pictures by ©Rod Bramley

D5493 - Showcasing 488 at the Boston Lodge Works Open Day in May 2014.

D5496 - Lower deck interior of 488 giving an insight of the work being undertaken.

D5494 - On the work bench, various pieces of woodwork, most stripped of the "treacle" applied at Coplawhill and ready for re-varnishing or repainting before being placed back on the tram.

Boston Lodge Works held an open day on Sunday 4th May 2014 giving visitors the unique opportunity to view the restoration progress on 488, which had started 6 month's earlier and will probably take another 2 years to complete. To compliment the visitor experience, a local tram and trolleybus enthusiast living in the area [and sufficiently ancient to actually remember Glasgow trams!], Rod Bramley, fronted a small exhibition stand to answer questions regarding the tram. Here is his report.

As I was "on duty" it was not possible for me to capture the "atmosphere" of the event since there were loads of people buzzing around and therefore I was kept very busy. On the morning of 4th May alone, conversations were had with upwards of 60 people and hardly fewer that number during the afternoon. My colleague was equally, if not busier, speaking to other visitors as they thronged through the carriage workshop. During the 3 days, we met visitors from Austria, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Most UK visitors looking around Boston Lodge were predictably steam enthusiasts, plus, of course, a large number of holiday makers. There were just a few train/tram enthusiasts, most of whom were aware of this website and Carlton Colville. A surprise was the number of Glaswegian's who attended - as one of our visitors remarked at one time "its more like Scotland than Wales here".

Pages from this website featured on our display panels - the web site address appearing in several places with an acknowledgements to photographers of the pictures on display. People could therefore note down website details for themselves - and several did just that. The website Home Page had been printed off and displayed, at convenient eye level for most, and created considerable interest.

Our chat sessions with visitor's focused on the level of craftsmanship expended on the tram and to state that it was estimated that, when completed, approximately 80% of the tram will be wholly original; the 20% replaced would be rotten woodwork and/or damaged glass etc.

The pictures at the top of the page were taken on the Saturday when "clear" and show the general "set up". Visitors were encouraged to climb on the platform, look at the pictures, and then walk through the tram to see the detail of preservation required. When alighting at the other end to walk back; they could then look at the display on the work bench and the reverse side of the graphics board. A bill and cigarette packet found on 488 was also "on show".

Regarding the truck, FR staff at the Open Day seem to believe that it will be re-gauged at Boston Lodge. It is well within their capability and is not thought to present great difficulties. It is possible, though, that a new build may work out cheaper. Staff undertaking work on 488 visited Crich some time ago and looked around 812 to assess the work required including re-gauging and interior paintwork etc. and gain advice on some of the tasks to be undertaken.

It is likely, providing clearance is available, that when the both decks restoration is completed, the two decks will be married together in the carriage shop where there is [probably] room in the centre section where the roof is highest. This will show that the car can be fully re-assembled when the work is finished. Unfortunately, the doors are lower, so 488 will need to be taken apart again to be removed from the workshop.




Rod Bramley
Gwynedd

PS. The blog 'British Trams Online' also had a feature on the Boston Works Open Day which was posted on Saturday 10 May 2014. Click here to view.