Back to 1978 for another Blackpool image in “Picture in Time”.
As with last week, its early season in 1978 that this photo was taken it being captured on film in the April of that year. It depicts Railcoach 679 on driver training duties as it heads southbound. The tram is about to round the Metropole Hotel with it embarking on the main section of street running in Blackpool for the tramway. The Andorina Hotel in the background is long gone.
Fortunately, the same can’t be said for the tram which is now part of the Fylde Transport Trust collection. Running for the last time in its flat fronted condition in 2008 on a special tour (2004 for normal passenger service), the tram has been undergoing a restoration to original English Electric Railcoach condition (which is was before it was converted to a Towing Car although it was never permanently coupled to its trailer). It is currently at Rigby Road Depot requiring the restoration to be completed.
Photograph by Donald Brooks, April 1978