Another small piece of tramway history occured on Wednesday 20th August 2014, when a VAMBAC equipped tramcar operated on the upgraded Blackpool system for the first time. The honour of performing this historic duty went to Coronation car 304 which also became the first of the former Lancastrian Transport Trust collection to be commissioned for operation since rejoining its home fleet.
On this occasion, 304 was not carrying passengers but merely emerged for a test run along the promenade following several weeks of attention in the Rigby Road workshops. During this time the tram has not only been made roadworthy, but has also had its full decorative beading restored at both ends; this was missing at one end since its last full repaint but the tram has now been returned to an even more immaculate condition. Looking none the worse for a period in outdoor storage, 304 emerged from the confines of the depot during the early afternoon on 20th August. Once on the main line, it headed first to Bispham before reversing and running to Pleasure Beach, and then heading to Foxhall where it reversed for the short run back to the depot after a succesful maiden voyage. This was the tram’s first outing on its home tracks since November 2010, although it had of course run more recently at Beamish Museum during a short term loan. This was also the first outing of any Coronation car in Blackpool since 2011 when sister car 660 – curently stored out of service at Rigby Road – ventured to the then new Starr Gate depot so that it could undertake clearance tests with the new tram wash plant.
Whilst it is tempting to get over-excited about the return of 304 there are still some hurdles to be overcome before this magnificent tram can be considered for passenger service. It is believed that just one of the tram drivers who were trained on this car are still with Blackpool Transport, and it will therefore be essential to train crews on it before it can be used. It remains to be seen when this will occur, but just to see Coronation 304 back on the prom again – a sight that we once feared would never be witnessed again – was a real treat for the lucky few who saw it, and a mouthwatering glimpse of something to enjoy in the future.
UPDATE: Blackpool Transport have now confirmed that 304 has been tested ahead of a possible appearance on the heritage service on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August. However, this will be subject to further testing and driver training, as expected, and a final decision as to whether the tram will operate in passenger service has not yet been made, hence the initial secrecy as to whether the car would run. We would like to congratulate everyone involved in getting this magnificent but highly complex tram operational, and whenever it is approved for service we are certainly in for a treat!
Good news!! Hope we see it in the coming months – perhaps during the autumn illuminations?
I may be putting 2 and 2 together here and getting 22 but, a surprize 4th tram on the Bank Holiday monday, UMMM 304?????
If they can find a driver who can drive a coronation car! I thought that if this and VAMBAC 11 at EATM have the same controls, could a driver at the museum drive 304 (of course, if any want to!)?
I believe 11’s VAMBAC equipment has been altered to represent how the original design was supposed to be, but apparently the actual end product differed slightly. I don’t know whether this means that the EATM staff would be able to drive 304 or not, but as I doubt any of them are licenced tram drivers for BTS its pretty irrelevant anyway.
Oh well. Great to see it running again though!
Update: Blackpool Transport have confirmed that 304 needs to do some driver training before it can return to service, as expected. If all goes well the tram will hopefully be out on Bank Holiday Monday but this is by no means confirmed yet – hence the ‘surprise’ element as they did not wish to get anybody’s hopes up for something which may not happen. Coronation car fans, keep your fingers crossed for Monday!!!
Museum staff could not drive the car in service as they are not BTS staff and no arrangement for non BTS staff is currently in place. However museum staff can advise but they don’t need to as BTS has VAMBAC experienced staff on their books.