Rigby Road Depot is home to a “pointy ended” English Electric Railcoach once more with the Fylde Transport Trust’s 279 having made the short trip across Blackpool on Thursday 17th March 2022 to allow for the last stages of its restoration to take place. The tram had been away from Rigby Road since 2018 during which time excellent progress has been made on its restoration by the FTT but it has now reached the stage where any further work needs to be undertaken at Rigby Road which is what will happen in the coming months.
279 – renumbered 679 in 1968 – was built in 1935 as a Second Series English Electric Railcoach and would retain its iconic streamlined style until 1961 when it was chosen to join the Twin Car project which saw it rebuilt with flat ends amongst other alterations. However along with sister cars 678 and 680 it was never to be permanently coupled to its trailer and would remain a solo Railcoach until withdrawn from service in 2004. Acquired by the then Lancastrian Transport Trust in 2008 (and after a farewell tour) it was always the intention that it would be returned back to its original condition complete with pointed ends and twin indicator blinds.
The original hope had been that it would be ready for the 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway in 2010 but various factors prevented this from happening and it wasn’t to be until 2018 that work really got underway in earnest. The tram has spent periods in storage at Rigby Road and Brinwell Road during this period with the majority of the work on 279 having taken place at the latter location since it left Blackpool Transport’s depot in August 2018.
Despite the pandemic causing delays to the project, there has been excellent progress on restoring 279 with the bodywork having been completed – including those iconic pointed ends being recreated – and a lot of the electrical work also having been undertaken. But the project reached the stage that very little more could be done at Brinwell Road and so preparations were made for its latest return to Rigby Road.
The day of its move was set as Thursday 17th March with Reid’s Freight Heavy Haulage contracted to transport 279 the short distance across town – the same firm had moved the tram from Rigby Road in August 2018. After managing to negotiate the tight clearances at Brinwell Road the move happened with little drama and it was soon possible for 279’s wheels to touch rails again with the unloading happening in the usual location on Blundell Street alongside the Fitting Shop wall.
Now that 279 is back at Rigby Road further work will take place – much of which will be completed by the Fylde Transport Trust in a dedicated workspace although Blackpool Transport will be involved as well – including the all important commissioning of the tram into service. The next steps of work to be completed are the installation of the trolley tower, complete the electrical testing and a full external repaint. It also needs a truck swap which will see 279 lifted whilst a few internal jobs need to be completed as well.
It is hoped that the tram will be cleared for an entry into service later in 2022 but as with all restorations of this type that is dependent on everything going exactly to plan. One thing is for sure though when 279 does enter service its going to be another sight to behold!
On its way home. 279 on the back of the low loader as it approaches Rigby Road Depot once more. (Photograph by Tony Armitage)
279 on Blundell Street again with preparations being made for its unloading. (Photograph courtesy of Fylde Transport Trust)
Nearly there as the front truck comes off the ramp and onto Blackpool Tramway metals once more. (Photograph by Tony Armitage)
One single deck tram which is definitely worth the depot space. Not since the end of 1973 has such an example been seen to operate on the Blackpool Tramway. Although this car missed the 2010 celebrations by quite a few years, it is probably more appropriate that it should take pride of place in any events to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad next year.
I don’t disapprove of the retention of rubber mounted roof windows, as the originals were highly inclined to leakage – this is a necessary compromise if the tram is to be effective in Heritage service during periods of less clement weather. A parallel can be seen in 648, which retains its more modern side windows as they are far more weatherproof than the originals, these having become less watertight and corroded with age.