The 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation on 2nd June seems to have attracted surprisingly little attention in the media, at least compared with last year’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Thankfully, British Trams Online is here to put things right, but we thought that our readers would prefer to see some classic images of Leeds 602 running at Crich, rather than the Queen herself!
Leeds 602 was of course built in 1953 by the Roe company, and painted in a special royal purple and cream livery lined out in gold to acknowledge its entry into service during the Coronation year. The most modern tramcar to ever operate in the Yorkshire city, 602 was destined for a tragically short working life in Leeds as the decision to abandon the tram
system was made soon after it entered service, meaning that a proposed fleet of modern railcars never materialised, and 602 was destined to remain unique. Along with the fairly similar Leeds 600, the tram was acquired by the Tramway Museum Society after Blackpool Corporation decided to not purchase the trams, having previously considered second hand vehicles from other systems. Its role at the museum was to represent an ill-fated attempt at tramway modernisation from the 1950s, and it saw occasional service at Crich until it was withdrawn due to a leaky roof in 1995.
Since then the fortunes of Leeds 602 have been rather mixed. In 2003, it was reactivated for restricted use to celebrate its fiftieth birthday, and won the inagural British Trams Online ‘Tram of the Year’ competition, beating off strong competition from another VAMBAC equipped tram, Blackpool 304. Its comeback was so well received that it later passed through the works for roof repairs, allowing it to operate more frequently in 2005. The car was then treated to a full repaint, but a change of heart saw it withdrawn again soon after and today it is a static exhibit in the Great Exhibition Hall. Sadly, the museum did not make any effort to mark the 60th anniversary of the Coronation by recommissioning 602, or even bringing it outside for display, leaving us looking to the past to remember the days when this fantastic tram last ran.
All of the photos accompanying this report were taken by Tony Waddington in May 1994, when Leeds 602 was still a semi-regular performer at Crich. Hopefully they will bring back happy memories for our readers who have experienced what this tram is capable of, as well as being of fascination to those who have never ridden on it.
Our first look at Leeds 602 sees the tram waiting alongside the print office near Crich Town End.
602 has now moved to load at Town End for another trip to Glory Mine, and has been joined by the more traditional Leeds tramcar 399, which of course remains in regular service at the museum.
Our final view shows Leeds 602 at Stephenson Place and was taken outside the Tea Rooms.
It would be lovely for it to be out in September when 107 arrives at Crich for a picture of the oldest and youngest Leeds trams together representing 55 years of progress.
Jamie