It seems the best place to go if you want a ride on a Blackpool Boat car at the moment is the United States of America as following swiftly on from the use of 228 and 233 in San Francisco, 606 has now been in action. The tram was in service during the annual Trolley Festival at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, Maryland on Sunday 16th September. And Edward M Koehler Jr was there to capture these images which he has kindly sent on to us.
It may be remembered that 606 left for the United States as part exchange for Standard 147 running for the last time in Blackpool in August 2000 before departing almost exactly 18 years ago (it left on 13th September 2000). Originally heading to Ohio – from whence 147 had come – 606 eventually made its way to the National Capital Trolley Museum where it first ran in 2010.
606 retains its Yellow and Blue livery with the only noticeable difference to the tram being the removal of the trolley tower. It seems some things never change – it doesn’t matter where a Boat Car is running passengers still flock for a ride!
Another view of the tram running along the line at the National Capital Trolley Museum. The tram is apparently heading for Pleasure Beach although it has quite some distance to go to make it!
The legal lettering remains in place too. (All Photographs by Edward M Koehler Jr, 16th September 2018)