Another trip into the archives as part of “Picture in Time” as we continue our latest look at trams in Blackpool over the years.
The below image was taken on the same day as the last couple of images in this series, and shows OMO 11 on test as it passes the tramstop at Rossall Beach. Built as English Electric Railcoach 268 in 1935, the tram (by then renumbered 615) was converted to an OMO car in 1975 and would remain in regular service up until withdrawal on 18th March 1993 – the last OMO to run in normal passenger service.
But that was not where its operating life would end as it was to be used for test purposes. This saw it leave Blackpool in the July of 1993 and it ended up at Carnforth. Here it was fitted with experimental bogies and motors in preparation for the Trampower project. This would see it return to Blackpool for testing on the tramway from November 1993. After the tests were completed the tram started to be stripped, although it would linger on at Rigby Road until September 2000 when it was finally scrapped.
Photograph by Phil Steer, 14th April 1994