We have another black and white image of an OMO in Blackpool for this latest edition of “Picture in Time”.
OMO 12 – the penultimate of the class to enter service – was rebuilt from English Electric Railcoach Railcoach 611 (originally numbered 264) and ran for the first time in June 1975. As seen in this photo in 1984 it retained its trolley but had been repainted into red and white from the plum and custard livery. Devoid of adverts along the roof it is just leaving Pleasure Beach behind as it makes it ways down to Starr Gate with a route 6 working.
Photograph by Phil Steer, September 1984
I thought OMO9 was the last new car to be painted in the Plum and Custard livery, OMO12 went straight into the red and cream livery from new (as 10, 11 and 13).
In actual fact, like all the others, OMO 12 was repainted around 1980 in the simplified red and cream livery without the lower panel of the front off side being included in the red. It carried the first version of this red and cream livery from new as did all OMO cars from 10 onwards. Nos. 8 and 9 were the last two to run in plum and custard in 1976, with 8 being repainted during the course of the main season. It was such a pity that 12 was scrapped as it was found to be in good physical condition during the process, in which case it may even have been a better candidate for conversion to the mock vanguard rather than car 7. That mentioned, 619 seems to be pretty sturdy and a reliable tram. I wonder if Heaton Park would consider a swap with 680 for the period marking 125 years of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad next July? Although not authentic, in many ways 619 certainly looks the part.
Unless some kind sponsor comes forward with the money, I think we shall see less short term loan of trams between lines in the future. Current costs to move a single deck tram around the UK are in the serious 4 figure bracket, with quotes often in the £1500 per trip range (and this is before the extra fuel surcharges). So as an example, to swap 680 & 619 for a short period would cost in the region of £3000 per tram. Even with some possible reduction as a back load each way, you are still looking at the best part of £5000 to swap the trams for a short period. With all the various criticisms of lack of work due to reduced funding at various tramways, many people will think that the £5000 could be better used on restorations rather than a short term loan.