Fylde Tramway Society
The Official Society for the Blackpool Tramway
Return of the Dreadnought
For many people, the 'summer of 1976' will be remembered for the heat, the sun and the drought; however, for followers of the Blackpool Tramway, it will always be remembered for the return to service of the Dreadnought along Blackpool promenade. Following a successful fundraising appeal in 1975 and restoration in winter 1975 and spring 1976, Dreadnought 59 returned to service on 30th May, for what was to be the start of its third period of active service on its home system. (The first period comprised its original life and the second period commenced with its rebirth in 1960 for the 75th anniversary celebrations.
Over the next 14 years, the Dreadnought bacame a regular part of the Blackpool tramway scene. It became popular with enthusiasts and the general public alike. The car was again doing what it was best at; moving the large promenade crowds between Talbot Square and the Pleasure Beach, often as an extra car. In the autumn, its open upper-deck was the ideal way to see the famous Blackpool Illuminations!
The popularity and successful operation of the vintage Dreadnought demonstrated that a regular vintage tram service could work well along the promenade. The vintage service was strengthened when Bolton 66 arrived in Blackpool in 1981. The successful operation helped pave the way for many other vintage cars to be brought to Blackpool over the following years.
1985 was to be another key year for the Blackpool tramway, as it featured the celebrations for the centenary of the Blackpool tramway; Britain's first electric tramway, and then, the last traditional tramway running in the United Kingdom. The year of celebrations culminated in a tram cavalcade which featured many visiting trams from across the UK on 29th September. As in the 1960's celebrations, the Dreadnought was given pride of place in the procession and followed the original 'Conduit' Car 4 of 1885. For the remainder of the 1980's, the Dreadnought continued much as before and operated primarily as an extra car on Illuminations tours and enthusiast tours. However, such constant use of the tram was leading it to become tired. It was in serious need of both repaint and an overhaul. 11th November 1990 saw the car operate its last enthusiast tour in Blackpool before returning to its home at Crich later the same month. Initially, the car was displayed in the depot in the condition it had travelled back from Blackpool in, though in 1995 the car moved into secure storage at Clay Cross.
Since then, the car has been out of sight to the general public. However, its appeal as a significant historic tram still continues to capture people's imagination.
Summer 2006 marked 30 years since Dreadnought 59 made its second return to service in Blackpool. It is now time to bring this historically significant car back to public life through the Blackpool Tramcar Restoration Fund.
In May 2003, the Fylde Tramway Society, in conjunction with the TSO (Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation) launched the Blackpool Tramcar Restoration Fund to help finance the restoration of Blackpool trams as part of the collection of the National Tramway Museum. The initial appeal was to restore Toastrack 166 of 1927 back to operational service at Crich, which achieved success when the car re-entered service in September 2004.
The next project for the fund is to restore probably one of the most unique and eye-catching trams in the UK - The Dreadnought. This may appear a bold claim, however many people can recall the visual impact, to both enthusiasts and the general public of the sight of a large twin-staircase open-top tram operating in Blackpool through the late 1970's and throughout the 1980's. Whenever this car was out it was certainly an eye-catcher.
As tram restorations go, the restoration of 59 has some unique benefits and challenges. On the positive side, the tram and its component parts exist and can either be refurbished or used to help make patterns for replacement parts. However, to ensure the car's restoration to operational condition, the car will need dismantling and careful examination, with potentially significant work on the main tramcar body framework. Whilst these are not small tasks, renovation of this car to operational condition is feasible. A large amount of work could potentially be undertaken within the Museum's workshop by skilled voluntary labour. However, before this can be progressed, or a dated programme agreed, one key element is required - MONEY! Whilst at this stage a detailed cost estimate has to be established, it can be stated with confidence that the costs for such a project would be in the several hundreds of thousands of pounds range! This is a considerable sum of money, however if many people regularly donate a small amount per month, this target can be achieved. Indeed, by regular giving through standing order, a good estimate can be made of funding progress. Work can then be planned, workshop space be secured and above all, restoration can start. This is where YOU can help.
If you wish to see the Dreadnought proudly carrying passengers once more, YOUR help and support is required.
You can help financially, by either giving one-off donations, or if you can, by committing to a regular monthly amount to the appeal fund by standing order from your bank. You can also help by publicising the appeal to others.
Remember, the more people that support the appeal fund, the quicker it will grow. Work can then start on the Dreadnought with the aim of once again carrying passengers.
