City Road Allotments
Update: Our Site's Hidden Tram Makes the Headlines
Since we first shared the discovery of a former tram at City Road Allotments, the story has attracted considerable interest from local media, transport enthusiasts and heritage organisations.
What begans as an unexpected discovery in an allotment shed has turned into an important piece of Dundee's transport history.
From allotment shed to museum collection
Dundee Museum of Transport has now secured permission to remove the tram from the site, thanks to the support of the plot holder and the City Road Gardens Association committee. The tram will find its permanent home at the former Maryfield tram depot, which is currently being restored to become the new location for Dundee Museum of Transport.
The story makes the headlines
The story of the rediscovered tran has captured the interest of the local media and heritage enthusiasts, with several publications sharing the discovery and the plans to give this remarkable piece of Dundee history a new home.
Watch the story here on STV news - https://youtu.be/F758S4iV8oM?si=acjbOqOzPFqNpR0J
Read more about the discovery and the plans for the tram:
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Dundee's Last Surviving Electric Tram Unearthed in Local Allotment | Dundee and Angus Chamber
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Dundee tram found again after over 70 years! | British Trams Online News
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The Garden Shed That Was Actually A 120-Year-Old Dundee Tram - Shedblog.co.uk
A Hidden Piece of Dundee’s Past Unearthed at City Road Allotments
A former Dundee tram has been identified within a shed at City Road Allotments. The structure had been used for many years as part of a plot, but a closer look confirmed that it contains the remains of an early tram from Dundee’s transport system.
The tram is believed to have been moved to the allotments in the 1960s, where it served growers for decades as a practical garden building. While Dundee’s trams ceased operation 70 years ago, this one continued its unexpected service as a greenhouse, a living testament to the ingenuity of local gardeners.
Dundee Museum of Transport has made several return visits to examine the remains of the tram more closely. During these visits, the team concluded that the structure may be one of Dundee’s early electric trams.
Given this significant historical value, the City Road Garden Association (CRGA) committee has agreed to allow the museum to remove the surviving tram components. The plot holder has kindly granted full permission for this.
The Museum of Transport will now begin fundraising to bring in professional conservators, who will:
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assess the condition of the tram remains,
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determine the safest method of removal,
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estimate costs for any building reinstatement after removal,
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plan the conservation pathway for the tram’s surviving structure.
These plans are not yet final but early preparations are underway.
The Museum plans to host a tram‑themed exhibition in June this year to mark the 70th anniversary of Dundee’s last tram journey. This exhibition will include text and images of the uncovered tram as it currently appears on site.
City Road Allotments is proud to play a part in this unfolding story. As Dundee Museum of Transport continues its work, we look forward to sharing future updates and to seeing a once‑forgotten tramcar take its place in Dundee’s heritage once more.
