Restoration Begins on Wildwood’s Historic Tram Car #8
You may remember that just a few months ago, the Wildwood Historical Society, located at 3907 Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, announced it had saved one of the city’s most recognizable pieces of history, Tram Car #8.
After years of service carrying millions of visitors up and down the Wildwoods Boardwalk, the retired tram car was facing an uncertain future. Instead of ending up in a scrapyard, the Historical Society stepped in and rescued it with the goal of preserving it for future generations.
Restoration Begins on Wildwood’s Historic Tram Car
Now, there’s another exciting update.
The Wildwood Historical Society has announced that restoration work on Tram Car #8 is officially underway, bringing the iconic vehicle one step closer to becoming a permanent exhibit inside the George F. Boyer Museum.
Leading the restoration are volunteers Joseph A. Arico and David J. Luke, who are donating their time, knowledge, and craftsmanship to return the tram car to the appearance so many visitors remember.
According to the Historical Society, the team plans to spend several days repairing rusted and damaged portions of the tram car’s tug, removing the aging vinyl graphics, and giving the vehicle a fresh coat of paint. Once that work is complete, ABS Signs will install brand-new decals to recreate its classic look.
Photos released by the Historical Society show that work is already well underway. Sections of rusted steel have been cut away and replaced, the roof is being stripped and repaired, and the tram car has been carefully covered while restoration continues. Although the vehicle will never operate again, every effort is being made to ensure it looks as authentic as possible before it is placed on display.
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When completed, Tram Car #8 will become an interactive exhibit inside the George F. Boyer Museum, allowing visitors to get up close to a piece of Wildwood history that has become synonymous with summers on the boardwalk.
For generations of families, hearing the words, “Watch the Tram Car, Please,” became part of the Wildwood experience. Whether you rode it every vacation or simply stepped aside as it passed, the tram car remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the island.
Over the past few years, we’ve watched the Wildwoods’ iconic tram cars evolve while still preserving a tradition that stretches back generations. Just this summer, three brand-new Volvo tram car tugs entered service, helping ensure the famous Tram Car experience continues for years to come.
Before they hit the boardwalk, the Wildwood Video Archive had the opportunity to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the new fleet and meet some of the dedicated people responsible for keeping this beloved Wildwood tradition rolling.
You can watch that video at the bottom of this article.
Perhaps the best part of this project is that it’s being driven almost entirely by volunteers. Because Arico and Luke are donating all of the labor, the primary expense is the cost of materials needed to complete the restoration. The Wildwood Historical Society is currently accepting donations to help offset those costs.
You would like to donate: CLICK HERE
It’s great to see this project moving from the planning stage into active restoration. Just a short time ago, Tram Car #8 was at risk of disappearing forever. Today, thanks to the dedication of local volunteers and the Historical Society, it’s well on its way to becoming a permanent reminder of one of Wildwood’s most cherished traditions.