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M&MTB SW6 No 887

M&MTB SW6 No 887 at Malvern depot. Photograph John Webster

M&MTB SW6 No 887 at Malvern depot. Photograph John Webster.

No 887 was built in 1943, being one of 120 tramcars of the SW6 type constructed by the M&MTB Preston Workshops. These tramcars were a notable advance over previous W type tramcars, being fitted with sliding doors and making much greater use of steel in their construction. These tramcars were not built with the standard central headlight, but had dash canopy lighting instead. This design feature was not a success, and all SW6 tramcars were later modified to use the standard type headlight.

The first 40 of this type were notable for the fitting of flip over seats in the end saloons.

Like most other SW6 type tramcars, No 887 was modified in the mid 1970s with modified seating in the same layout as initial build SW5 tramcars, but with brown upholstery and extensive use of laminex in the interior.

No 887 was allocated to Malvern Depot for its entire career.

This tramcar is one of eight tramcars on loan to the TMSV from the State Government, being transported to Bylands in 1994. It is planned to restore No 887 to original as-built condition, with dash canopy lighting, wooden drop centre seats and flip over seats in the saloons.