BURTON & ASHBY 14 ON 13 MARCH 2017

An invitation was received a few weeks ago to visit the Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth to see the progress made on the refurb on B & A 14.  We were surprised to find that the tram was up and running and very nicely turned out. A speedy renovation to a high spec.

14 on its way back from the end of the line

14 rounding the corner before the tram stop

Almost at the stop

At the stop - showing a really good paint job

Upper deck

New controller top and handles

14 has its own depot at the far end of the line with 3 foot gauge and standard gauge provision for a standard gauge engine Statfold are due to receive.

Staircase and hand rail - we noticed that the majority of the adverts were for different kinds of soap and wondered if the citizens of Burton and Ashby were particularity dirty!

Inside the controller. The original controllers were no good and have been scrapped, also the top and controller handles were lost in Detroit. The original casings have been used to house Fork Lift Truck electronics. The arrangement has been made that the tram can only be driven in the direction of the controller and not reversible.

The original motors were no good and have been scrapped. New fork lift truck motors have been housed in the original motor casings. It still has the correct 'tram' sounds when moving! The tram has  been re-gauged to 3 feet and has different wheels.

Motive power comes from 60 x 2 volt Fork Lift Batteries, housed in banks of 10 under the seats

High gloss varnished seats

The main switchgear housed under the stairs under lock and key

The original fluted lights, carved wood and ceiling cornices have been kept

14 on the way back to its depot after a super morning