What better sight is there than a pair of Blackpool Boats on the Prom? Well, that’s exactly what we take a look at today for this edition of “Picture in Time” as we again head back to 1975.
Again, taken on 6th July 1975, we are at the Tower on what would appear to be a warm and sunny early summer’s day. At the front of this shot we see Boat 605, empty having just terminated with a service whilst it is followed by prototype Boat Car – Luxury Toastrack officially of course – no. 600 which has a full load of passengers with it looking as if it is heading through to Pleasure Beach. Both trams are in the standard and basic green and cream livery carried by the Boats during this period.
Of course, both of these remain extant today but are split by quite some distance as although 600 is one of the prides of the Blackpool heritage fleet, 605 – renumbered back to 233 – is thousands of miles away in San Francisco. 600 entered service in May 1934 with 605 following in the August of the following year, they started off numbered 225 and 233. Since this photo was taken 600 spent a period on loan at the Heaton Park Tramway whilst 605 operated at Beamish when under the ownership of the Lancastrian (now Fylde) Transport Trust before heading off for a new life in the USA.
Photograph by Donald Brooks