| Hall of Fame: Bolton 66 This page was last updated 20 April 2003 |
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Bolton 66 at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool on Illumination Tour duties on 13 September 2002. Photo: Gareth Prior |
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The fourth inductee to the British Trams Online Hall of Fame is Bolton 66 which was the first 'foreign' tram to operate in Blackpool. At the start of the 1980s with the Tramway's centenary approaching Councillor Parkinson, the Chairman of the Transport Committee, suggested that trams should be used from other towns and cities across the country. Bolton 66 was the first of these trams and arrived in 1981 follwing completion of its restoration, and it remains in Blackpool today 22 years later. The tram is an unvestibuled 8 wheel double-decker which was built by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Company in 1901. The tram was originally an open-topper but was enclosed in 1932 although it retained an open drivers platform. In 1940 66 was renumbered 366 and was seen on Bolton-Dunscar and to Farnworth and Westhoughton services. 366 was withdrawn from service in 1946 and the lower saloon was sold as a caravan. It was rescued by local enthusiasts in 1964 and after the restoration (including the building of a completely new top deck)and testing at Kearsley Power Station the tram arrived in Blackpool on 23 June 1981 where it has operated ever since. Since the tram has been in Blackpool it has been fitted with a low voltage lighting system and air brakes. |
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Built: 1901 by the Electric Railway and Carriage Company as a open-topper. Rebuilt in 1932 by Bolton Corporation with covered top-deck. Type: Double-Decker with open drivers vestibules. Withdrawn from Service: 1946 - lower saloon sold as caravan Seats: 74 Current Collector: Trolley Trucks: Brill type 22E Motors: 2 x Metro-Vick 323, 35h.p. Controllers: 2 x Dick Kerr DB1 Current Livery: Maroon and Cream Current Status: Operational on the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway( since 23 June 1981) Other Notes: 1940 - renumbered 366 by Bolton Corporation (a numbered it carried again for a time in the 1990s), Underwent testing under its own power at Kearsley Power Station before moving to Blackpool, 1992 - Fitted with low voltage lighting system and air brakes |