Friday 6th August saw a tram return to service after workshop attention in Blackpool as Brush Car 631 was officially launched into service after a special ceremony which also saw it named Reginald Dixon M.B.E. The new paint job is a version of the 1950s green and cream style although the tram retains all of its modern additions and still carries the 631 number which was only applied in the 1968 renumbering.
631 has been absent from service for some time and during this time it has been treated to a repaint in Rigby Road’s Paint Shop. As well as the application of the new livery style it has received images of Reginald Dixon in the pantograph tower with the name Reginald Dixon M.B.E. added at the base of the tower. Fleet numbers have been applied both above the centre doors and also on each end of the tram in the 1950s/1960s font style.
In effect this new livery has seen the addition of a narrow band round the ends of the tram and thin green lining at the bottom while the lifeguard has changed in colour from green to red.
The naming of the tram is the latest to recognise a key figure in Blackpool’s entertainment history. Reginald Dixon M.B.E was the resident organist at the Tower Ballroom from March 1930 to March 1970 and died in Blackpool in 1985, aged 80.
An end on view of 631 showing the end details of the livery including the red lifeguards.
As 631 waits at North Pier heritage stop for departure on its launch – invited guests only – trip Flexity2 011 is seen alongside.
A side-on view of 631 at North Pier showing the new images on the pantograph tower along with name and fleet number.
The two operational Blackpool Brush Cars side-by-side. 621 and 631.
631 on its inaugural southbound trip at Cabin. (All Photographs by Tony Armitage, 6th August 2021)
Why didn’t they revert it’s fleet number to 294?
As 294, it would need the twin indicators, roof windows, original doors, and the slender green glass panels above the saloon windows restored. Here it is in 1961: https://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0700/cmb008.jpg.
Fair comment!
BTS have done some excellent repaints on heritage trams – 147 & 648 in particular spring to mind – but I think 631 looks awful. Its such a random repaint as well. Why are the trucks and lifeguards painted red? Why is there a green stripe on the ends that almost cuts through the fleet numbers? Why has it got two names on each side in different sizes? Random!
631 was never a popular tram due to its hybrid appearance, with oddities such as the ‘bulging eye’ headlights that remind me of a cartoon character with its eyes popping out of their sockets, the wrong sized fenders and pantograph grease tray spoiling any efforts to make it look more traditional. Since the return of other Brush cars I’ve often hoped that 631 might revert to its 1990s appearance to illustrate the evolution of the class, as otherwise I fail to see what it adds to the fleet. There are so many enclosed single deck cars anyway (the least appealing trams in the fleet to the general public) that spending money on 631, which has also been very unreliable in recent years, seems like a waste to me. It upsets me that fantastic trams like 660 & 706 are literally sat decaying at the back of a leaky tram depot whilst projects like this go ahead, not to mention the likes of 143, 230 & 675+685 sitting idle, any of which could have really bennfitted from the cash used to paint 631.
The sad thing is, I actually rather like the idea of naming a tram after Reginald Dixon. I just feel that the idea has been very poorly executed, and has seen resources devoted to a tram which most people neither wanted or needed.
Surprising to see such amount of work lavished on Brush Car 631 when you consider it was only repainted in 2013. Stalwarts such as 717 (and flagship) have carried paintwork far longer (with only re-varnish in 2014). Would it not have been wise to use the paint shop capacity to smarten up the likes of 717 & 600. The hybrid condition has proven to far from popular and indeed the reliability in recent years of its low voltage system has been “interesting” to say the least. Will be interesting to see how they keep the cream tower clean (given regularly the dust bin tower was covered in thick grease & grime despite the extended splash trays).
What a mess. Imaccurate livery, unintelligible script and comedy tower.
chrisbo with all due respect, I think those of us who have supported the Heritage operation since before it even existed have a right to be slightly narked when stuff like this is churned out. They are crying for money for a roof but spend it repainting a Tram which didn’t need it – it could easily have had the pictures slapped on as it was (and when it was in an accurate historical livery). I’m sure the public will love it, but to be honest you could paint a shipping container green and tell most of them it was a Tram and they would love it. If Heritage want to be taken seriously again and get funding etc for a visitor centre they need to start being serious about it. Don’t get me wrong this was a brilliant PR move and has tied the operation closely with a much loved and missed local personality and that is brilliant and ultimately very beneficial for all – Its just I so wish they would do it properly!
As I have said before I would be happy to donate money if I thought that there was a hope of it being spent sensibly on appropriate projects but lately nothing which has been done at Rigby Road makes sense to me.