A truly fascinating image is featured in this instalment of Picture in Time. We have often taken a look inside Rigby Road Depot in this series but very rarely have we seen such a eclectic mix of trams with Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 at the forefront.
We are now very familiar with Rack 2 as a restored tram of interest but at the time of this photo it was still in the early day of its “heritage tram” status as it had only been restored to this condition two years previously. This photo was taken on 24th December 1962 with 2 having been restored to a passenger tram (having been in use as a works car between 1939 and 1954 and then stored out of use) for the 75th anniversary of the tramway in 1960. Just nine months after this photo was taken 2 was to start its long life in preservation when it was transported to Crich and the rest as they say is history!
Although 2 is our main focus of attention in this photo you can’t help but notice the other trams around. To the left and behind are two Twin Motor Cars both including the limited stop destination boards on their ends. The one of the left is 279 but the other is unidentified. Also of note is that they seem to be carrying the yellow on black destination blinds as fitted briefly to 272+T2 before their untimely withdrawal in 2016. Then on the right we can see Coronation 312 (which would be scrapped within seven years) and an image from Rigby Road wouldn’t be complete without the ubiquitous Balloon Car; two are seen behind the Coronation.
Photograph by Tony Sullivan