Heaton Park Tramway’s venerable works car, Blackpool 1 (or 752 as it was known for much of its existence) is currently being treated to some remedial attention in an attempt to both smarten up the tram and help to preserve the ageing bodywork. The car has already been rubbed down and repainted in a green undercoat before receiving a fresh coat of gloss paint.
As well as the main body of the tram, its truck and the visible parts of the underframe are also benefiting from a fresh coat of paint. It should be stressed that the body has not yet received its final top coat and that the shade of green used will presumably not be the one in which it ultimately appears! This is being viewed as a ‘quick win’ project and is running simultaneously with the ongoing restoration work on Hull 96. This is taking somewhat longer than anticipated but should be well worth the wait, as a very thorough job is being undertaken which should result in an absolutely stunning tram. Recent work has seen the quarter light glass removed with the wooden framing being stripped of all paint, revealing the original woodwork beneath which will then be cleaned up and varnished. No target for completion of this work has been set, but inevitably the more people who come and help, the sooner 96 will be back in service!
A sneak preview of Blackpool 1 in its current rather bright coat of green paint. The tram is seen at Lakeside being shunted on 12th August. (Photo by Shaun Whitehead)
Wonderful. Great to see local attractions going from strength to strength. The respective Society & All the dedicated volunteers should be very very proud.