We carry on with “15 Years Apart” today and its back to Blackpool for another couple of shots of the same tram in 2009 and 2024.
11th September 2009 was a nice sunny day in Blackpool and that had led to Bot Car 602 being utilised on specials. Carrying the Handybus yellow and black livery at this time we see the tram – complete with Waves and Tower Blackpool Transport logo heading south having just passed Gynn Square on its way back to Pleasure Beach. It seems most passengers on this day have chosen the front of the tram for their ride with the rear looking oddly empty.
Then on 27th May 2024 and we find the tram in service again on another sunny day on the Fylde Coast. By now its working for Heritage Tram Tours and this was a hop-on, hop-off timetable day (as was the complete Bank Holiday weekend) with it going to Bispham on this journey. Its now been re-numbered 227 and carries this red and cream livery, which it didn’t carry in its normal life but does provide a bit of a what if? Its again seen at Gynn Square in this photo, albeit heading in the opposite direction. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)