Regular readers of this website will probably remember that Blackpool Centenary car 643 has now been adapted for use as a static cafe at its new home within the grounds of Broadwater Caravan Park. During a recent visit to Blackpool, Andrew Waddington couldn’t resist going to see this old friend which is looking vastly different from how it looked when it last ran in service on 6th November 2011.
Before opening for business earlier this year, 643 was repainted in a unique cream and green livery which is certainly a huge improvement on the previous black and white left over from a past advert livery! Internally the seating layout has been modified and a small kitchen area has been installed within the tram to allow for the preparation of hot food such as pasties and sausage rolls, as well as sandwiches, various cakes and a variety of hot and cold drinks. As 643 has been given a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5, presumably its new owners are doing a good job with this imaginative venture – indeed, is this the first tram ever to obtain a food hygiene rating!?
Disappointingly, Andrew was unable to sample the culinary delights on offer inside the Centenary car as it is only open for business at what are deemed to be ‘peak times’ – mainly school holidays – although it will apparently re-open during the October half-term week. As the caravan site is just a 5 minute walk from Broadwater tram stop, why not pop in to have a snack and a drink as well as getting re-acquainted with this familiar old friend?
Seen displaying an appropriate destination for its new home, 643 is seen in the attractive surroundings of Broadwater Caravan Park on Monday 9th September.
Seemingly wedged between two caravans, the other side of 643 is seen from the adjacent road.
One final view showing the excellent paint job on Centenary car 643 to full effect. (All photos by Andrew Waddington)
It’s a pity that the Centenary cars didn’t run in service wearing this livery,
which is in fact based on the original livery of the Coronation cars.
Is is attractive-as opposed to the ugly, ghastly advertising liveries that a few of the cars were adorned with latterly.
Well done to the park owners for the excellent paint job done on this tram. Lets hope they continue to look after it and maybe it will have a chance to return to service one day?
I do wonder why BT withdrew this class when they had spent so much money on rebuilding them so recently. Wider than the thirties fleet, they would have fitted perfectly to the new platforms (as would Coronations which the Centenary overall dimensions are based on) without the need for the ugly door conversions as applied to the butchered balloons. Nobody seems to have spotted this though!
The Centenary cars do feature quite high steps though, so are not really very disabled-friendly. Also I think Blackpool Council wanted a modern image with some scope for the traditional trams that people love so much; unfortunately for the Centenary class, they don’t really fit in either category. Personally I’m just grateful that BTS decided to keep 648 (and possibly 642?).