RACK 2 TO HEAD TO BLACKPOOL INSTEAD OF DOUBLE DECKERS Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 is heading to Blackpool for the 125th anniversary celebrations in September following the cancellation of the loans of the double deck trams from Crich after the damage sustained by Johannesburg 60 (see separate story) during its aborted movement to the resort.
The decision was taken by the Tramway Museum Society to axe the loans of the double deck trams (Blackpool Standard 40, Johannesburg 60 and Leeds 399) because of the low branches on trees near to Crich Tramway Village and to avoid any further damage to the tramcars.
In order to still assist the celebrations the TMS offered three single deck trams to Blackpool in place of the double deckers - Rack 2, Cardiff 131 and Blackpool Electric Locomotive 717. However, Blackpool Transport could only accept 2 as the other two trams are Works Cars and the costs of brining them to Blackpool could not be justified as they would be unable to recover their overheads commercially from non passenger cars. In fact an official statement from Blackpool Transport stated that the Locomotive would not even be able to operate in Blackpool.
Rack 2 last visited Blackpool in 1998 for the Centenary of the Tramroad in 1998 and was joined on that occasion by Pantograph 167 - also to be sent on loan for the celebrations this time round. It is not yet known to what extent 2 will be used during the celebrations with probable health and safety concerns for any normal passenger service.
It is expected that both 2 and 167 will join Oporto 273 in Blackpool in early September as they will be two of the stars of the Blackpool Bank Holiday Extravaganza at the Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August, celebrating all things Blackpool.
Source: Blackpool Tram Events
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 22nd August 2010
Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 seen at Gynn Square during its last visit to Blackpool in 1998 for the Centenary of the Tramroad.
Photo: Gareth Prior