Coventry Trams

The thought is not to restore it Dream but keep it as is - there are enough indentifiers still there to show it was Coventry's old Tram 32. The Motor Museum have nothing of the original system and would make a terrific addition if we can persuade them.

A very interesting project Neil to see if it could be possible. If they could lift the Batavia from the depths of Western Australian waters (sank in 1629) and now reconstructed and situated in the Maritime Museum here in Perth, surely anything is possible.

Hey, they could sit me in it, that would be original!

Having run past it many times to and from work, I have often wondered why and how it got there. I can understand a farmer transporting an old railway truck to his farm as a potential useful 'shed', but shifting a tram with all those windows? ... and into those surroundings?

Yes Harrier, I wondered about how they got it there as well - especially as given from what I have read it would have been around wartime still. Does anyone have any idea about the current ownership or land its on - please message me. BTW I have passed all these new photos and info on to Ken Crawley who runs the Coventry Trams website. Still no word back from the Council, The Tram Museum at Crich or the Transport Museum though My friend who visited the site with me is a building restorer and the best plan we think would be to buy it privately. We can but try!

Neil I think this is the same tram that was posted on here a long time ago as being by the basin, owned by Cartwrights the wood people, or the racehorse owner in the basin. It maybe on Our Kaga or the canals thread way back. Hope this helps?

Hi Kaga Yes it's one of the Cartwright ones - I know where it is, just not who now currently owns it or the land it's on. Time to get the deerstalker out.

Thinking about it a little more ... as the trees were obviously a lot smaller when it was shifted to its present site, it would have made rather a nice summer house in the country with a magnificent view. Perhaps one of the occupants of the nearby cottages or farm shifted it there for that very reason?

The thing is if you know the location Harrier its now right opposite some of the few houses on that lane so not sure why they chose that spot. That area is one of the highest points in that locale so would have afforded great views at one time. As you say you have to picture the scene before all the tree growth. I sometimes get caught out with picture identification in the Memorial Park as it appears so different in views when it opened compared to now as the trees have grown somewhat!

I started running that route to work when I came down to Coventry in the late 60s, and I noticed it fairly early on, having stopped to see what it was. One of my pupils lived almost opposite so I asked him to ask his family about it, but they knew nothing. I never thought to enquire how long they had lived there. Now I would be nosey enough to pester the neighbours!!

Hi Neil, The 1937 OS Map shows the area as "Broadmoor Wood" with a larger extent than today. A Land Registry map search suggests that the area where the tram is isn't registered - so hasn't changed hands since 1978. The house and stables that used to form part of the wood are listed. North Warwickshire planning suggests that a "Mr D Hayes" was the owner/occupier of the stables in 1999. The stables were offered for sale at some point. Packington Estates have objected to some of the developments and presumably have land interests in the area. Given the land doesn't seem to have changed hands they may still be the owner. Hope this helps. Peter.

Great info, Peter. Thanks

Neil. Next to Cartwrights wood yard in the 'basin' there was a plumbing wholesalers owned by a racehorse breeder. The tram would have been a great viewing point for would be buyers. Just a thought.

NeilsYard, In the April raid the hospital on Stoney Stanton Road got hit. I believe a tram got mangled also, shunted on to the Red House grounds, which belonged to Tommy Venn. Tommy Venn owned racehorses, trained by Arthur Thomas who had the plumbing warehouse in the basin. Cartwright's, relative/friend, also in the basin, wood firm. Arthur Thomas owned/leased land and stables. They all had money and heavy transport loaders. The tram would have been little trouble for them to move. If the council claimed the tram as war damage, then they may have been pleased to have given it away. Something to think about.

Anne just wondered if you could find any record of this in the newspaper archives if you get a chance?