In recent years we’ve been spoilt with the number of new trams which have ended up at the East Anglia Transport Museum, such as Sheffield 513 and most recently Blackpool 634, but we shouldn’t forget those trams which have stalwarts in the operating fleet and on Sunday 27th April the two trams you probably associate most with the museum were in service.
Those two trams are Blackpool Standard 159 – which was the tram that helped to inaugurate tram services in the 1970s – and London Transport HR/2 1858 – entered service in 1986 – which for many years when visiting the East Anglia Transport Museum there was a good chance they would be in service. Both are enjoyed some attention in more recent seasons but are still operational and seeing them in service is like going to back to a comfy pair of slippers!
Just how many photos of 159 and 1858 at Chapel Road terminus do you think have been taken over the years? Probably quite a lot! And that number is added to as we see the pair here in the spring sunshine.
Single line token is exchanged at Chapel Road.
And the favour is returned a bit later as 1858’s conductor gives the token to 159’s conductor.
London Transport trolleybus 1201 was also seen in service as we see it here on a circuit passing the East Suffolk Light Railway station.
Blackpool 159 stands all alone at Chapel Road.
Inside the depot and Sheffield 513 takes a day off. (All Photographs by Bryan Grint, 27th April 2025)