GLASGOW 1016
Glasgow 1016
Built in 1904 by the British Electric Car Company for the opening of the Paisley District Tramways, Paisley 16 started life as an open topped unvestibuled double deck tram. 16 was painted in the standard Paisley colours of Red and White. Over the following 19 years, number 16 operated on the many routes around Paisley. Upon the Paisley District Tramways being taken over by Glasgow Corporation Transport, 16 became Glasgow 1016. The tram was then painted into the Glasgow livery with Green route colours on the between deck panelling.
After a short period of running as a double deck tram for Glasgow Corporation, work began on conversion of 1016 to a single deck tram in 1924. The tram boasted hexagonal dashes, enclosed vestibules with sliding doors and air fitted doors. The reason for the conversion to single deck, was to allow the tram to be used on Service 20 from Clydebank – Duntocher, which required single decked trams to be used as there was a low railway bridge on the route. 1016 saw use on Route 20 until its closure in 1949 when the tram was withdrawn and sold.
1016’s body was found and rescued from a property in Braidwood near Carluke in Lanarkshire over 30 years ago. The tram was rescued for preservation by the Scottish International Tramway Association and spent time at Summerlee Museum in Coatbridge and latterly at the Glasgow Bus Museum in Bridgeton, Glasgow. Whilst at the Bus Museum, 1016 was stripped down into its various components for a start to be made on it’s restoration. A truck, wheel, motors and controllers from an ex Lisbon tram were acquired for the tram.
In 2016, the Scottish International Tramway Association offered the Tram to Blackpool Heritage Trust, who accepted the tram. 1016 arrived in Blackpool on 3rd December 2016. It is expected that 1016 will be restored back to an open topped double deck tram as it was originally and will be put into service as part of the Heritage Fleet. Whether it appears in Paisley or Glasgow livery when the tram is restored in the future remains to be seen. As well as adding another older tram to the fleet, the tram should also appeal to the many visitors from Glasgow and the surrounding area, who spend their holidays in Blackpool.
Sister Car to Glasgow 1016, number 1017, showing roughly what 1016 would have looked like when operating on Service 20 in Glasgow.