Fylde Tramway Society
The Official Society for the Blackpool Tramway
The Blackpool Tramcar Preservation Fund
What's it all about?
The Blackpool Tramcar Preservation Fund (BTPF), was set up in 2002 by the Lancastrian Transport Trust (LTT), and the Fylde Tramway Society (FTS), to ensure that a representative selection of Blackpool's historic tramcars are preserved and restored to operating condition on the Fylde.
Why?
We want to establish a 'museum' tram fleet in Blackpool to represent the evolution of the Blackpool tram in a future visitor attraction.
What have we achieved so far?
More than 100 members collectively contribute over £700 per month to the BTPF, equivalent to £8,400 per year, but much more is needed to progress with tramcar restoration projects. In addition, many members give one-off occasional donations to the fund. Coronation Car 304's restoration wort has cost almost £55,000 with only about £25,000 of this funded by Channel 4's "Salvage Squad" television series, the rest came from the B.T.P.F. It is a flagship project that shows just what can be achieved. Work has recently started on O.M.O Car No. 8 and a major project to restore Standard Car 143 is now in hand.
How much do people contribute?
The majority of regular contributors donate either £5 or £10 oer month, but others donate much more. If you contribute £10 per month that is the equivalent of just £2.30 a week - or a pint of beer, packet of cigarettes - you get the picture! By signing a gift aid declaration, we can reclaim the tax paid on your contributions.
Why pay by standing order?
Regular contributions allow us to forward plan restoration projects and give us the confidence to manage a big project, whereas one-off donations make forward planning and cash-flow to manage projects very difficult.
What are the next projects on the pipeline?
Currently in-hand is the first phase of restoration work on O.M.O Car No. 8 which was donated to the LTT in 2002 having been withdrawn from service in 1992.
We need to raise over £25,000 towards the cost of restoration work on Standard Car No. 143. This project will see 143 returned to its original open-balcony, open-vestibule condition - a type not currently represented by othe preserved cars of this class. Work on the project started in November 2005 part funded by the Local Heritage Initiative Fund.
The mothballed tram fleet may provide other preservation projects which is why it is essential that the tramcar fund is adequately supported.
In return for my regular contribution what will I get?
Each contributor receives a quarterly newsletter from LTT, In Trust, updating them on vehicle restoration projects.
We aim to organise at least one tour on Coronation Car 304 each year when regular contributors will be able to travel free of charge, in return for their donations.