In their 75th year of service, Blackpool’s Brush Railcoaches are enjoying some high-profile activities despite their days as front line service cars in Blackpool having now come to an end. Already this year has witnessed 623 become the first of its class to carry passengers away from the Fylde coast when it was launched in spectacular style at Heaton Park, and now plans are afoot for 630 to enter museum service, whilst the class in general look set to steal the limelight at what could well become one of the year’s ‘must-see’ tramway events.
Starting with car 630 which moved to Crich Tramway Village at the end of last year following a repaint in 1990s style green and cream livery, and it is pleasing to report that this tram is now in the workshop at Crich where it is being commissioned ready for service at the Museum. It was previously suggested that the new arrivals from Blackpool would be the last cars in the operating fleet to be prepared for use; however, delays in completing the required repairs to Blackpool 167‘s mechanical problems have led to 630 taking its place in the commissioning programme. This could potentially make it the first single-deck passenger car to run at Crich this year. However, there is some work to be done before the tram can operate at its new home; the Brush car is currently receiving a compressor overhaul. Its roof-mounted cable connection box, which was damaged during its road journey from Blackpool, is being replaced. It is also intended to affix replacement fleet number transfers to this tram, as the ones applied after its repaint used a modern font and don’t really suit the mid-1990s image it aims to portray. Once these small jobs are
completed the tram will then be able to be tested and have crews trained on it, so hopefully soon visitors will be able to sample a ride on this fantastic tram.
However, the team at the Heaton Park Tramway are not to be upstaged and, fresh from the
success of car 623‘s launch, comes news of a special event to celebrate the Brush cars’ 75th anniversary. Plans for this event were first mooted at the launch of 623, but a date of 18th November has now been set for what should be the tramway’s best event of 2012. As well as having 623 in service, it is hoped that a visiting tram will be present to join in with the
fun – no doubt the identity of the visitor will be the subject of much speculation, although it should be stressed that it is likely to be dependent on the availability of outside funding. In addition, outline plans for the day include a model display, tram driving experiences and other visiting vehicles from the Brush factory. In addition, 623 is expected to play a major role in an extra event to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, as both it and Stockport 5 will run specially decorated for this occasion on 4th & 5th June.
Once again, the guys at Heaton Park deserve considerable acclaim for planning such an
ambitious event and it is to be hoped that their plans will come to fruition. Likewise, the volunteer effort being invested in sister car 630 at Crich will hopefully ensure that the many Brush car fans will have plenty to celebrate in this milestone year for the class!