It’s back to 1974 for our latest edition of “Picture in Time” as we find ourselves in Fleetwood for a view of Blackpool OMO 4 in operation.
With its origins as First Series English Electric Railcoach 220 the tram re-entered service in October 1972 having last run in 1963. The fourth of the OMO cars to enter service in Blackpool 4 was originally painted in the distinctive Plum and Custard livery style as seen in this image. Although 4 initially ran with a trolley it was fitted with a pantograph in the mid 1970s and became the third of the class to be withdrawn from service in March 1985. The tram lingered on around Rigby Road Depot for a while longer though with a final date with the scrapman not occurring until the start of 1987.
This photo shows passengers boarding 4 in the centre of Fleetwood at a time when one man operated tramcars were still a relatively new experience.
Photograph by Nigel Pennick