This time in “Picture in Time” we return to Blackpool in September 1976 for another shot in the excellent selection of photos shared with us by Donald Brooks. This time around we remain in Fleetwood and it’s a Tigeriffic image!
Judging by the number of people milling around and wanting to board the trams here in North Albert Street, Fleetwood this could well be a Fleetwood Market Day (the fact many are laden with shopping bags as well helps to lead us to that outcome as well!). A couple are in a desperate rush to join the queue as well as they make their way in front of Brush Car 622 which is the front of two Brush Cars here returning to Blackpool (the second of which we can’t identify).
622 started off life numbered as 285 before receiving this more familiar number during the 1968 mass renumbering. It had only been running with single destination indicators for a little over a year by the time of this photo but would retain its trolley all the way until 1991. 1975 would also be an important year for the tram as it became the first single decker to receive an all over advert when this almost iconic design was applied for Blackpool Zoo.
Photograph by Donald Brooks
While in Fleetwood, the Tiger really had quite a ‘growl’ in those days, due to corrugations on the rails! If it was a busy Market day, I expect the Brush Cars were collecting passengers who couldn’t find room in the Balloons that often ran on such days, although it may not have been a Tuesday. The tram following seems to have been modernised in a similar manner to 622, with a plain green roof, which would narrow down the possible candidates that year.