With the Blackpool tramway now open for business once again, it seems like a good time to provide a summary of the trams which have departed for new homes so far this year. The first quarter of 2012 has appropriately witnessed 12 departures, consisting of 11 trams which have been sold to new owners, plus one visiting car returning home. Five of the moves involved Centenary cars, leaving just three of this eight-strong class at Rigby Road, with the others being a diverse range of vehicles.
The full list of trams that have left Rigby Road depot for pastures new so far this year is as follows:
644 – to Farmer Parr’s Animal World on 11/01/12
641 – to Kirkham Prison for Friends of Fleetwood Trams on 12/01/12
643 – to Broadwater Caravan Park on 13/01/12
673 – to Kirkham Prison for a private owner on 16/01/12
683 – to Copse Road Fleetwood for a private owner on 16/01/12
646 – to Paul Gaunt warehouse for Friends of Fleetwood Trams on 18/01/12
645 – to Windy Harbour Caravan Park on 19/01/12
637 – to Knowsley for Merseytravel on 06/02/12
687 – to Knowsley for Merseytravel on 07/02/12
605 – to Beamish on loan from Lancastrian Transport Trust on 29/02/12
721 – to an uncomfirmed location for North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust on 02/03/12
131 – to Crich Tramway Village following loan to Blackpool on 24/03/12
All of the cars listed above were transported by Scott’s Heavy Haulage who have excelled themselves in the professional way the moves have been conducted. These moves have left very few trams at Rigby Road, other than those that are being retained by Blackpool Transport. However, further movements are expected this month with Open Boat car 236/607 expected to move to Crich towards the end of April as its overhaul approaches completion, whilst the famous ‘Rocket’ 732 should be moving to Blackpool’s illuminations department soon. Apart from the remaining LTT cars, this will leave just a tiny handful of sold trams waiting to go to their new homes, including Twin Set 674+684 and Ex-Towing Railcoach 680. However, the intense activity of January is unlikely to ever be repeated in terms of trams leaving Blackpool en masse, making this an important time in the history of the old tram fleet.
Centenary car 644 seen on arrival at its new home with Farmer Parr in Broadwater. This was the first tram of its kind to leave Blackpool and it's destined for use as a children's play area. (Photo by Andrew Blood)
The most unusual departure of 2012 so far was Cardiff water car 131, seen loaded up on Blundell Street ready for its return journey to Crich. (Photo by Andrew Blood)