After a pair of Boats last week this week it is the turn of the Brush Cars to be in the spotlight this time around – and it’s the first two of the class which feature: 621 and 622.
At the time of this photograph, again dating from 6th July 1975, the Brush Cars weren’t even 40 years old having been introduced during 1937. Of the two trams seen here, 621 entered service on 20th July of that year with 622 following just six days later. Two main differences in the two trams can be seen – obviously the liveries are very different but 622 has also been fitted with single destination indicators whilst for 621 this modification would be a further five years away. In this image we see the trams at Tower with both trams due to run through to Starr Gate. 622 is on the centre track so is presumably just starting its journey whilst 621 is at the unloading stop having come from the north – one possibility could be that there is a tram swap going on here as whilst 622 has a healthy load of passengers that isn’t as apparent on 621. Also note the banana trolley on 621!
The advert on 622 – probably one of the most iconic ever carried on a Blackpool tram – had only been applied in May 1975 and was the very first single decker to carry an all over advert in Blackpool. Advertising Blackpool Zoo with its Tigerrific slogan the design would remain in place until the end of 1980 and was so well thought of has been reapplied to the tram in recent years with its new role as a classroom at a school in Blackpool. 622 would remain in service until 2009 when withdrawal finally came and the tram moved into the ownership of the LTT.
As for 621 this tram would receive the single indicators in 1980 before it was withdrawn as part of the mass mothballing at the end of the 2004 season. After withdrawal the tram spent time at Kirkham Prison before a further move to Beamish took place with the hope that restoration would come there. However, this was not to be so a return beckoned to Blackpool and the tram was then returned to service in 2007 after an overhaul and repaint.
Photograph by Donald Brooks