We’re back off to Crich for this edition of “Picture in Time” with another Blackpool tram coming across the camera.
As with last year this photo was taken circa 1974 and shows Blackpool Standard 49 passing the entrance to the depot with a service up the line. The scene around the tram is very recognisable to visitors to Crich today with the view down the street showing the Stone Workshop and shop on the right along with the double track formation. On the nearer right hand side we can also look through the depot gates where we see New York 3rd Avenue Transit 674 sitting on the fan with Leeds 180 also visible inside the depot building.
1926 built 49 was during its first period of operation at Crich when seen in this photo having entered service in 1964 after restoration. It would remain available until 1976 and then after another couple of years undergoing attention it was back in service between 1978 and 1992. It hasn’t been used since and is now a static exhibit.
Photograph by Tony Stevenson, c1974
This, and the previous photo of the Blackpool electric locomotive, are more like 1984 than 1974.
A great photo of a well remembered tram; however I don’t think it can have been taken in 1974. I joined the TMS on reaching 12 years old that year and I’m pretty sure Blackpool 49 wasn’t then in service. It was on my desire-to-ride list for a long time as I had never seen it run on any previous visits to Crich even though it was a regular performer for many years. As I recall I saw it make a surprise appearance in service at the 1975 Grand Transport Extravaganza at the August Bank Holiday still wearing a patched up version of the old red, cream and teak livery which had been associated with it throughout its career at Crich up to that time. Due to the crowds I don’t think I rode on it even then. I think it was then one of several trams selected for refurbishment under a Manpower Services Commission scheme which were regarded as relatively straightforward projects; I think Gateshead 5 may have been another. When 49 reappeared it was in the green and cream colours the photo shows and I am tempted to say it appeared in this scheme in or around 1977 and I think may have then enjoyed a long period of use. It effectively swapped liveries with Blackpool Balcony 40 which being in the earlier condition was no doubt thought to be a more suitable wearer of the red, cream and teak colours which it retains to this day as one of the stalwarts of the fleet. I do rather miss 49 being in service although I did ride on it at least once after its 1970s reappearance. I have had the impression it has possibly become regarded as one of the cars surviving at Crich in more ‘original’ form and I wonder if it may now be more conserved status than part of the demonstration fleet, especially as there are other Blackpool Standards in working preservation.
I should add, I am away from home at the moment so don’t have my references with me, but I think 49 unusually retains the original top cover from the ‘Motherwell’ type tram that was its predecessor with that fleet number: something I would love to have the chance for a closer look at having learned so much more in later years from the excellent published sources about Blackpool trams!