As one of the attractions of the forthcoming Power from the Past event (15 – 18th April!), we are going to display our 1907 Blackpool tower wagon. Built on the Milnes plate frame bogie from one of Blackpool & Fleetwood Trailer cars No.11, 12 or 13, the tower wagon is believed to have entered service in 1907. It still carries Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad lettering beneath the later green paint applied when part of Blackpool Corporation’s fleet. It ended its working life at Rigby Road works, used to provide access to tramcar trolleypoles/heads. In 2002 the redundant tower wagon was gifted to Beamish (part of the deal which saw Sheffield 513 move on long term loan to Blackpool), where it has largely been stored as a large object in the Regional Museum Store there.
As part of the work to make it fit for display, Peter Barlow, an engineering conservator, has been contracted to carry out work to the bearings/journals, paintwork and structure of the vehicle.
It will not be able to run at Beamish during the event (we have to many sharp curves!) but it will feature in a photographic charter and and there will be daily line ups with the works trams on the depot fan, including a reunion with Blackpool 31 (in its engineering car No.4 guise).

Below: An overall view of the complex tower structure. Peter is cleaning off loose paint then treating the woodwork with conservation wax. If allowed to get wet now, the dry wood would act like a sponge and it is likely that the remaining paint would also be disturbed and loosened.