The hugely successful visit of Blackpool ‘Pantograph’ car 167 to the Blackpool tramway for summer 2014 finally came to an end on Friday 29th August, when the tram was loaded up onto a lorry on Blundell Street for the long journey by road back to Crich Tramway Village. This brings to an end 167′s longest spell away from home since 1990, as the tram spent the early part of the year at Beamish Museum before heading back to Blackpool in April.
During its time back at Blackpool, 167 has been a regular performer on both the heritage tram service and on private hires, performing numerous journeys to Fleetwood, returning the car to some of its old haunts for the first time since 1998. The tram has performed impeccably and, after a mishap on its last visit in 2010, has now proved itself once again and been a superb ambassador for the National Tramway Museum.
167‘s last hurrah came over the August Bank Holiday weekend when the tram was used on all three days. This included a very special late evening tour on Saturday 23rd August which allowed the tram to stay out much later than would normally have been the case for a vintage tramcar. This venture raised around £800 towards the cost of transporting the car back to Crich, which has almost paid for this journey and is likely to pave the way for similar ‘add-on’ enthusiast tours in the future. More importantly though, 167 has proved beyond all doubt the viability of hosting visiting preserved trams on the modernised Blackpool system, and it is hoped that other historic trams will follow in due course – funds permitting of course!
After a final run to Fleetwood on Monday 25th August – when it was used in place of Boat car 227 due to poor weather – 167 performed a short journey from Pleasure Beach to North Pier, and then returned to the Rigby Road depot with passengers unusually allowed to remain on board and alight on Hopton Road. This unexpected final run proved to be the very last of 167‘s latest loan period and, following preparation for its next road journey, the car left the seaside behind at lunchtime on 29th August, with Scott’s Heavy Haulage tasked with returning the tram to Crich. There, it will be quickly returned to use as it will be one of the many stars of next month’s ‘Electric 50’ event, and its return takes the museum another step closer towards the ambitious target of having 25 electric trams available for passenger service at this event. 167 is scheduled to operate in service on both days of this event and this should be a fitting finale for a very busy and successful year for this tram.
A glorious view of 167 gliding along Blackpool promenade in darkness on 23rd August during its special tour intended to help finance its journey back to Crich less than a week later.
167 approaches the Hilton Hotel during its rare late night outing on 23rd August. (Photos x 2 by Frank Gradwell)
Thanks for including the photos- it was sheer madness to drive up from near Welshpool at 19.00 on the Saturday, (County of Salop “Onslow” rally) just for this, getting back to our motel at 00.50, but it was worth every mile for just those two shots.
Even better is that the market for after dark runs – with food and drink add ons has now been firmly shown to be a runner.
Lets hope for more similar runs, especially with visiting cars, in the future.