The Crich Tramway Village has published their latest restoration update on Blackpool Corporation Brush Railcoach No.298, with a key milestone recently being achieved.

Key work in order to see No.298 return will soon start at Crich for two main reasons, with the first being the return of 298 to Crich!

Previously stored off-site for several years, Crich this year has been able to make the necessary preparation to receive the Tramcar.

This marks the beginning of the long awaited restoration. The cover photo of this article shows the 298 arriving on the back of a lorry.

One of the main aims at Crich when restoring Trams is to carry out work that will allow the vehicle to operate for around 30 years.

With this, the decision was made to have a brand new underframe built. Boston Lodge Works, on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, was contracted to manufacture the underframe, which they have completed and delivered to Crich, thanks to Hughes Specialised Transport.

Funded by a partnership between Blackpool Railcoach Fund and the Tramcar Sponsorship organisation (TSO), once completed 298 will run in it’s 1937 ‘as built’ condition.

For more information, to book your visit or to support Crich Tramway Village, please visit their website here.

Project Leader, Peter Whiteley (shown sitting on the frame below) said: “It was quickly unloaded onto Blackpool 638 bogies that were stored at Beamish and returned last October. I was very pleased that the 4 fixing holes on each bogie aligned perfectly with those on the underframe, they are only 4 holes but they meant a lot!”

Did you know that RailAdvent Plus members can get a discount off standard admission tickets to the Crich Tramway Village? Click here for more details on the discounts available to members.

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