Today Picture in Time is heading back to the Devon coast as we take a trip to the Seaton Tramway for an image of Blackpool Boat style tram no. 4.
Built in 1961 for use at Eastbourne, no. 4 is almost unique in the older trams of the Seaton fleet in that it has never undergone a rebuild of any kind with the only major noticeable change over the years being a regauge from Eastbourne’s 2 foot to Seaton’s 2 foot 9 inches in 1976. It has remained in the operational fleet ever since although its use in recent years has been limited with its low passenger capacity seemingly acting against it. It is however the chosen “Pirate Tram” and can be seen in use every year during special Pirate events.
This image comes from 2003 and shows 4 on the final approach the Seaton terminus. The area the tram is travelling through is much changed in the intervening years with major redevelopment which is of course ongoing with the new look Seaton terminus currently being built.
Photograph by Noel Downie