The subject of which Blackpool trams would be acquired by the Tramway Museum
Society for display and possible operation at the National Tramway Museum, has been a very controversial topic amongst tram enthusiasts for quite some time. Even as late as last November, when the TMS finally announced which trams it had accepted for its collection, there was still considerable doubt about why various cars had been chosen and others rejected. Now, for the first time, the Society has broken its silence regarding the reasons for acquiring the most controversial of its new additions – Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630.
Ever since the TMS first announced its plans to acquire 630 almost two years ago, there have been persistent rumours that the tram would be used as a source of parts to assist with the restoration of sister car 298, which has been the subject of considerable restoration work over the years but has languished at Crich since 2005, where its condition has actually deteriorated as it has become slightly damaged in shunting movements. Even when 630 was treated to some body work and a repaint in 1990s green & cream livery prior to dispatch to Crich, it was still thought that it would ultimately be merged with 298 to give the Museum a single Brush car in original ‘art deco’ condition. The TMS had never confirmed or denied this rumour, until now. The January issue of the Society’s Journal states that, although 630 is being made ready for passenger service at Crich, they will eventually combine the best bits of both Brush Railcoaches to make a single tram.
Even when the poor response to the TMS’ depot appeal led to the rejection of two other
historically significant Blackpool trams, Centenary car 648 and Twin set 672+682, it is stated that 630 was considered ‘too good’ to turn down, with the plan to combine it with 298 being a major factor in it being accepted. The decision to turn down trams that have an important story to tell, yet accept a vehicle that is destined to be broken up, is a highly
questionable use of the little depot space that is available at Crich. The fact that the TMS Journal repeatedly states that the Brush cars date from 1938, when the whole class actually entered service in 1937, just adds insult to injury and implies a lack of respect for this much-admired class of tram and the many enthusiasts (particularly younger ones) who hold them in high esteem.
As well as upsetting 630‘s many fans, the people who worked selflessly on car 298 should not be forgotten as a huge amount of money and manpower were invested in getting this tram to the condition in which it arrived at Crich in September 2005. Even though their goal of having a Blackpool Brush car in original condition running at Crich can be achieved, supporters of the Blackpool Railcoach Fund had supported car 298 specifically – and if 630 is considered to be a more viable project by the TMS then it may be 298
that ends up being broken up once any useable parts have been removed. If, as is widely believed, 630 will in fact one day be scrapped and donate its underframe to its sister, this may not be such a wise strategy – 630‘s underframe was merely repaired, not replaced, when it was last overhauled in the mid 1990s, and by the time Crich eventually withdraw it from service it may well be unfit for any further use. The tram has been so heavily modernised that little of the original car remains, so will the rest of it even be compatible
with 298?
The same article also attempts to shed some light on the decisions made involving the
other trams but this is also unlikely to be well received. For example, Boat 236 is referred to by the TMS Chairman as being ‘a popular choice for our visitors and members’, whilst a Twin car was apparently dismissed partly because of ‘operational difficulties’, and also because the Board knew that a Twin set would be preserved elsewhere. Taking the latter argument, this could easily have been applied to all of the Blackpool trams being considered at the time, and indeed the Boat would surely have been snapped up quickly by someone else. It is the opinion of this writer that the Twin and Centenary cars were turned down as an easy option due to their large size, but the truth may never be widely known for sure.
In the meantime, the initial response to the confirmation of the long-terms for a Brush car restoration at Crich have been very poorly received, and this is a great shame as the TMS were starting to win over more support with the plans to operate their new acquisitions. The workshop team have been working extremely hard to prepare these trams for operation and members have generously donated money to allow them to come to Crich. 630 should be in service at its new home this year, and possibly for the foreseeable future, but this does not make up for the lack of a positive future for this extremely popular car.