We have a busy scene in Blackpool for our latest delve into the archives in this instalment of Picture in Time.
We are at North Pier on 16th August 1981 as three trams meet with their respective journeys. Starting on the left is Twin Car 676+686 which, according to its destination blind, seems to be terminating here from the north although it looks as if the conductor was hedging his bets with Harrowside peeking below. Then on the centre track is the first of two Balloon Cars in the form of the last built 726. This tram has terminated with a special – presumably from Pleasure Beach – but is still awaiting both its destination blind and trolley to be turned for its next trip. The scene is completed by another Balloon Car with 704 running through with a service to Fleetwood. All three trams carry trolley poles.
Today all three trams survive although none are operational. All can now be found stored at Rigb Road Depot with the Twin set and 704 under the auspices of the Blackpool Heritage Trust with 726 having recently arrived home under private ownership.
Photograph by Ralph Oakes-Garnett
Terminating here from the north was reasonably common on Market Tuesdays but 16 August 1981 was a Sunday when it was much rarer.
Pure speculation, but in those days partial closures for track or overhead work were commonly done on Sunday mornings (the shadows suggest it is around 1-2pm), so it may be that Talbot Square is the temporary Southern terminus meaning 726 may have actually arrived from the north and reversed on to the centre track, a manoeuvre the twin is about to repeat…