Last time we were in Blackpool for Picture in Time we featured Brush Railcoach 634 in 1972 and it is the same tram which we take a look at again today; this time we are in 2009 and it is about to depart Blackpool for what we all presumed would be forever…
634 is pretty unique in that it was acquired by a private individual when enthusiast Andy Ashton took on the task of restoring the tram and it became the first of the trams sold as a result of the impending upgrade of the tramway to actually depart Blackpool for its new life. These photos were taken on the morning of 9th November 2009 – the morning after the Farewell to Fleetwood events which had seen the section of tramway between Fisherman’s Walk and Fleetwood Ferry closed to traditional trams to allow for upgrading works. 634 has already had its trolley tower removed and has been placed on Blundell Street waiting for loading onto the back of a lorry for its trip to Rushden and a start to be made on its restoration.
All Photographs by Gareth Prior