Non-profit organisation Pro-Tram is eager to rescue an old Flemish coast tram carriage from . The carriage is currently at the museum depot operated by Flemish local transport company De Lijn but if no one wants it, it will be sent to the scrapyard next month.
‘This is a genuine piece of Belgian tram history,’ explains Pro-Tram’s Philippe Meert. 'The carriage was built almost 100 years ago in the Familleureux workshops in Hainault Province. It initially served as a coast tram. During the Second World War, for three years, it was used on the Brussels-Grimbergen tram line. After that, it returned to the coast. About 50 years ago, the carriage was taken out of service and sold to a roller-skating rink in Waver.'
In the early 1990s, the non-profit organisation Pro-Tram purchased the tram. It was to be used on a tourist tram route between Diksmuide and Nieuwpoort. But that project never got off the ground.
Future as a café?
For over 30 years Pro-Tram has been pulling out all the stops to save trams from the former National Local Tramway Company from the scrapyard. ‘It would be a shame if this tram were to disappear,’ says Meert. ‘De Lijn can’t use it; they already have a restored example.’
‘Our hopes now rest with heritage associations or other organisations or enthusiasts at home and abroad. The carriage is available free of charge on condition that it is preserved, preferably under cover, and potentially restored. We can help foot the transport costs to a safe and dry location,’ continues Meert.
He envisages a possible role for the carriage as a café, meeting room or heritage exhibit.