Two of Blackpool’s classic single deck Railcoaches are now ready and waiting to return home to Rigby Road thanks to some recent positive developments. The repaint of Ex-Towing car 680 at the Heaton Park Tramway has now been completed, whilst in Blackpool, efforts are being made which should(!) allow Brush car 290 (627) to regain covered accomodation for the first time in three years.
Just over a week after work began on the transformation of car 680, its repaint is complete and Heritage Painting – who were contracted to do the work – have exceeded all expectations with an absolutely stunning paint job. The bland cream livery worn by this tram since 2010 has been replaced by a magnificent replication of the 1990s green and cream style fleet livery with black window surrounds to suit its flush glazing. Finishing touches such as Blackpool Transport and Tramway logos on the corner panelling add to the period appearance and the job was finished on the morning of August 19th with the application of fleet numbers. Following a stint of operation with its original number 280 this has restored the tram to its more familiar identity of 680 and now the tram is ready to be transported back to Blackpool to begin its operating loan period, with the move expected before the end of the month.
Meanwhile back in Blackpool, after the recent failed attempt to remove Brush Railcoach 290 from its plinth at Pleasure Beach, two of its owning group joined workshop staff from BTS on 19th August to try and free the tram. After some attention, the Unimog managed to drag it forwards a very short distance, and it was then moved up and down a few times as far as was possible using the extent of the track on which it has been placed, to try and get it moving more freely. The operation appears to have helped and hopefully the hauliers will return shortly to take the tram back to Rigby Road for storage. The Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust are still going ahead with their plans for another tram to go on display in the same location and Centenary car 641 should move there once its repaint into a special livery commemorating the history of Blackpool Football Club is completed.
What a beauty! The near-complete 680 is seen within the confines of the Heaton Park Tramway's Middleton Road depot on 18th August, largely complete save for the application of fleet numerals. (Photo by Shaun Whitehead)
Very much looking forward to seeing 680 in person and sampling it once again on its home tracks. Represents another gap in the collection filled. As the operation continues to make inroads.. Will certainly be one of many stars of 130 with so much vying for attention.
Absolutely brilliant transformation. Well done Heaton Park tramway.What a difference from when I last saw it running in its drab livery at Beamish during October 2014. Just one comment…….it’s a pity the old Blackpool Corporation crest hasn’t been applied.
As photogenic as that might be, it wouldn’t be historically appropriate as the livery chosen is that worn by 680 in 1993-94, some time after the BTS logos had replaced the crests.
I remember riding on this tram in about 1992 on a full system tour arranged by ‘Tramtrax’ magazine as ‘Trams’ was then known. It was used as a substitute for Coronation 660 which was unavailable. The tram had just undergone an extensive refurbishment and had received the half green/cream livery.
As regards 660, nothing changes, and whilst on the subject we haven’t seen Coronation 304 lately. Perhaps it too is ‘unavailable’.
304 has a controller fault which is awaiting rectification. 660 requires more extensive mechanical attention and is in a (lengthy) queue of trams awaiting finance to be restored.