Its Blackpool – well, Fleetwood – again for this edition of “Picture in Time” as it’s a hattrick of images of an OMO car.
This time the OMO is one of only two which still exists today – no. 5. In this photo it is seen as its about to curve round into Pharos Street having just set off from Fleetwood Ferry with a service for Starr Gate. The tram is in the red and white fleet livery complete with Corporation crests and a trolley. On the left is a Ribble Leyland National which is waiting to take up its next duty.
OMO 5 would remain in service on the tramway until 17th February 1993 (the second to last to be withdrawn). But that was not to be the end for the tram as it was secured for preservation by the Tramway Museum Society with it leaving Blackpool for the Clay Cross store in June 2000. 22 years later and that is where it remains, waiting for its turn in the limelight once more.
Photograph by Donald Brooks
I can almost hear the roar as it gathers speed on the then corrugated rails of Pharos Street. Like car 3, this tram is often associated with a Brecknell & Willis pantograph. It also carried the more ubiquitous diamond pantograph in its final years, during which time it gained its rather attractive current livery (as stored at Clay Cross), the only such car to appear in service with a green skirt style. Notably, it is one of only two Series One Railcoaches to survive in any form (the other being the Hovertram – ex 222 as the frame of 209 was replaced by that of 277 in the Santa Fe ‘Loco’). Hopefully, one day it will run again at Crich, although obviously there are more pressing uses for funds there, especially now, with the new traction poles and rewire not proving cheap. It seems more likely that Car 8 will fly the flag for the class again rather sooner, depending on fund availability for the major work required and the willingness of Blackpool Heritage Trams to operate it on behalf of LTT. Of course car 7 could be claimed still to exist and operate although in a heavily transformed guise as a mock Vanguard.
A slight correction to your post in the fact that OMO is owned by the Fylde Transport Trust (FTT); the former title of LTT ceased to be used in 2018. As someone who seems keen on details, I am sure you appreciate that the right names of owners should be used.