With the Illuminations now in full light in Blackpool it seems an opportune moment to return to the north west coast for another view from the archives of one of the Illuminated Feature Cars. This time it is the distinctive Rocket which features in a 1962 image.
Granted you do tend to lose a bit of the spectacle of an Illuminated Tram when the photo is in black and white but nevertheless this photo of Tramnik One outside Rigby Road Depot is a fascinating image – and its not just the Rocket which your attention is drawn to! It is October 1962 and The Rocket is a little over a year old having entered service in September 1961 as the second of a new generation of feature cars. Based on the underframe of Pantograph 168 it had only taken a mere 5 months for the rebuild to be completed. Over the years advertisers came and advertisers went but the Rocket remained an integral part of the Illuminations each year until the end of the 1999 season when it was withdrawn from service requiring workshop attention. Initially acquired by the Lancastrian Transport Trust 732 spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons on display at Gynn Square roundabout before joining the Blackpool heritage tram fleet at Rigby Road where it awaits its turn for restoration.
Photograph by Bob Hodges
Off message but what is the state of play with 737 currently, any info appreciated
Its still in the workshops, apparently an announcement will be made shortly regarding a launch date.
Many thanks,will keep an eye on developments.
Gagarin’s spacecraft Vostok 1 took off in April 1961 so anything space related was big news. What a wonderful vehicle and imagine the look of wide-eyed wonder on the faces of the children on first seeing it lit up on the Promenade.