After last week’s archive Blackpool tram image featured a tram now at Heaton Park we have another tram which also resides there today – Replica Vanguard 619.
619 was converted from OMO car 7 (which in turn was once English Electric Railcoach 282), entering service as a pseudo vintage tram in September 1987. The tram remained in service until the end of 2009 – although did spend four years off the road from 2004 before it was acquired by the Manchester Transport Museum Society for operation at the Heaton Park Tramway. Now in a red livery – and renumbered 7 for a short-time – 619 is a popular tram in Manchester currently receiving workshop attention.
This image shows 619 on 4th October 1997 with a service running to Pleasure Beach. It is leading a parade of trams including Ex-Towing Railcoach 680 (in Dillons bookshop advert), Centenary 645 (Mecca Bingo advert) and Ex-Towing Railcoach 679 (advert for Seagull Coaches).
Photograph by Jonathan Jarvis