Perhaps surprisingly, the past week has been a relatively quiet one on the Blackpool tramway with no further trams leaving Rigby Road. However, several cars have been prepared to leave suggesting that more moves could well be imminent.
Perhaps most interestingly, no less than three Centenary cars have had their pantographs removed – these being cars 641, 644 and 646. Of these, both 641 and 646 have been acquired for the Friends of Fleetwood Trams for their proposed museum in Fleetwood, whilst 644has long been rumoured for re-use at Farmer Parr’s Animal World, who have a long association with the tram having advertised on it for many years. No Centenary car has ever left the Blackpool tramway before so whichever one of the class leaves first is going to earn its place in the history books.
Meanwhile, other trams destined for the new Fleetwood attraction have also been shunted around the depot with long-term stored Ex-Towing Car 678 recently moved to the top of the depot, whilst Brush car 627 has already had its pantograph and tower removed in readiness for a move off-site. It is also expected that Brush car 630 will transfer to Crich Tramway Village shortly as the tram has now spent over a month in the workshops where it is believed to have received some panelling repairs and a full repaint. A shunting exercise has also taken place at Crich in order to create space for the new arrival, so presumably it will not be long before 630 heads to Derbyshire on the longest journey of its life so far.
Report by Andrew Waddington