If you’ve ever visited us at Plankbridge you’ll have seen the 100-year-old Bournemouth tram car that doubles as Richard’s office in the heart of the workshop. Tram car 113, which was built by the Brush Electrical Engineering Company of Loughborough and ran between Lansdowne and Southbourne in the 1920s and 30s, has been like an old friend in the workshop, with its peeling yellow and ochre paintwork, ruby coloured glass panels and lovely old painted signage with ‘NO SMOKING ALLOWED’, ‘15 SEATS EACH SIDE’ and ‘DO NOT SPIT IN THE CAR’. From the moment Richard and Jane rescued it from a farm in Milton Abbas, it’s been the perfect complement to our shepherd’s hut business – a wonderful, nostalgic reminder of a bygone age.
While it has served us well over the past ten years, Richard has moved into his purpose-built office, freeing up the workshop space for some exciting new shepherd’s hut builds, so Tram car 113 will be off on its travels once again when it goes under the gavel at local auctioneers, Charterhouse in Sherborne, in April.
Measuring 23ft x 7.5ft, it could be used by the next owners as an office or studio, converted into additional accommodation or perhaps developed as an Airbnb business. Tram enthusiasts might even want to have a go at restoring it to its former glory 100 years ago. It’s going to be sad to say goodbye, but it’s now time to let the next custodians give Tram 113 a home where we’re sure it will be even more appreciated and cared for in the future.
For further details or to book an appointment to view, call Charterhouse 01935 812277 or via [email protected]. Tram car 113 goes under the gavel on Wednesday 3 April.
