Crich is the location again for our latest Picture in Time image with the main focus of our attention between Glasgow 1282. It was 1993 when this photo was taken and the scene around the tram is probably as interesting to see as 1282 itself.
But before we look at the scene the tram finds itself in let us take a brief look at Glasgow 1282. Built in 1940 the tram was one of the last Coronation Cars to be built in Glasgow Corporation’s own Coplawhill Works. 1282 remained in service for the next 22 years and was included in the official Last Tram procession in 1962 and was also the Last Clydebank Tram before being withdrawn and reserved by the Scottish Tramway Museum Society for preservation (although not as their first choice). A long road journey followed a year later with the tram making the journey to Crich although it was not to enter service until 1978. The next 25 years saw the tram become an integral part of the operational fleet at the home of the National Tramway Museum (with a few years out of use) before 1282 was withdrawn in 2003 requiring further workshop attention. A temporary return to the rails occurred in 2012 when it was commissioned for the Glasgow 50 event at Crich in September but since that weekend 1282 has returned to static display and can currently be found in the Depot.
This photo was taken in 1993 – possibly the October on a return trip from Blackpool – and shows 1282 heading off from Town End on a northbound journey. Of interest in this shot is what isn’t there; on the left there are just hoardings where the Workshop Gallery can now be found whilst on the right construction work is at an early stage on The Red Lion.
Photograph by Gareth Prior
Coronations? I just loved them, and used them as much as possible until Glasgow’s last tram of 1962. Absolutely nothing beat a Coronation for smooth fast running.
And so it was 50 years after the last Glasgow car to run that I was able to savour again the delights of the tram that once earned the accolade of “the finest short-haul passenger vehicle in Europe”.
Great picture, but story mentions this tram went to Blackpool. I think you are mixing 1282 with 1297, that visit the coastal resort
err no.. I read it as Gareth was on his way home from Blackpool, not the tram!!!
Indeed. My first visit to the Illuminations I believe.
I believe that the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society are fundraising for the overhaul and return to running condition of 1282. Worth a mention I think because it is an iconic vehicle, well designed, comfortable and with a good turn of speed when conditions permit.