Even though the 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway is still over two years away plans are already well underway for making the year unforgettable. As revealed in Trams Magazine - and never reported here previously – one of the trams wanted by Blackpool is Manchester 765 currently living at the Heaton Park Tramway.
A letter in the Heaton Park depot from Steve Burd – Managing Director, Blackpool Transport – says he is willing to consider exchanging 765 for Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619. 619 is of course one of the mothballed trams and has not run in service since 2004.
It would be the second visit of 765 to Blackpool as it previously visited for the 1985 Tramway Centenary.
Manchester 765 is set to return to Blackpool for the 2010 125th Anniversary celebrations, having previously visited for the Centenary back in 1985. The tram is currently at Heaton Park as seen here on 30th March 2008.
Photo: Steve Kemp
In exchange Blackpool Transport are willing to consider loaning Replica Vanguard 619 to Heaton Park. This tram has been mothballed since 2004. The tram is seen at North Pier on 14th September 2002.
Photo: Gareth Prior
Source: Andrew Waddington