Earlier in the week we reported on the departure of Blackpool Brush Car 290 from Rigby Road Depot and now it can be confirmed that it has arrived at its new home of the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville. Wasting no time in getting it used to its new surroundings it has already made its first trip (albeit not under its own power) along the entire line to check clearances.
290 (627) has been acquired by the Museum from the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust and last ran in service (briefly) on Sunday 8th November 2009 – or the early hours of Monday 9th November – when it was the last traditional tram to run to Fleetwood Ferry as part of the Farewell to Fleetwood commemorations (that’s the last traditional tram on the traditional tramway if we’re going to get exact about it). After that it became part of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust collection and spent three years on display at Pleasure Beach between 2012 and 2015 before being moved into storage at Rigby Road Depot.
Departing from Blackpool on 28th July it arrived at Carlton Colville the following morning and after unloading it was treated to a wash. 290 was then towed along the length of the tramway to check clearances and with nothing untoward there it was back to depot where it was placed over the put for a full assessment.
It is the intention to restore the tram to operational condition in due course. It becomes the third Blackpool tram at the museum joining Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 11 and Blackpool Standard 159. Its also the third tram to make a direct trip from Blackpool to Carlton Colville – the first was 159 but the second wasn’t a Blackpool tram but Sheffield 513. And whilst we’re on the subject of journeys between the two, there has been one tram go the other way – Glasgow 1245.
Not everyone turns their head when they see a tram on a lorry obviously! As a lady goes about her daily business the Reid Freight low loader turns towards its new home.
Into the museum as it waits for unloading.
The clearance run starts and 290 meets a new friend in London Transport 1858.
290’s first trip into the woods is recorded. (All Photographs by Tim Major, 29th July 2022)
In addition to providing some variety in the Blackpool offering, this tram should be able to relieve pressure on car 11 as it will represent an interesting alternative. I’m not sure what is proposed for 678 when it arrives, but I would expect that some kind of shop would be a good purpose for that tram. We have much to look forward to in a successful and growing transport attraction and 290 certainly adds greatly to the overall picture.