After a couple of years without an Access Tram, 2026 is set to be an important for the Crich Tramway Village with plans for the entry into service of Access Tram 2, with Blackpool Centenary 645 currently being converted in the workshops at the home of the National Tramway Museum. Monday 2nd February saw a special supporters event held at the museum which allowed a check to be made on recent progress on the conversion. Steven Hughes was one of those who saw at first hand the ongoing work.
Blackpool Centenary 645 – which ran for the final time on the last day of the traditional Blackpool Tramway, 6th November 2011, and also became the last of the class to be towed back to depot after failing on the same day! – was acquired for the museum specifically to be used for a new Access Tram. The work being undertaken is not a restoration in the truest sense with it seeing some alterations for its new purpose, but the most important thing is that it will allow all who visit the museum the chance to enjoy tram rides at Crich.
As well as being fitted with a wheelchair lift, it will also be the first tram, certainly in the UK, which is being converted to allow wheelchair users the chance to drive a tram with ramps being installed into the driver’s position.
645 will not only be used as the Access Tram but with it being an One Person Operated tramcar it will also be able to be used on days when fewer volunteers are available.
The final external condition of the tram will be a hybrid and will not be a return to the original shape of the trams in the 1980s, but will also see some of the later enhancements removed. The final livery has yet to be decided.
It is planned that 645 will enter service later this year. As previously reported on these pages, a second One Person Operated tram will also be returned to action at Crich this year with Blackpool Jubilee 762 being overhauled. 762’s return will allow driver training to take place before 645 is commissioned.
A view from the Workshop Viewing Gallery which gives a good overview of progress on the conversion of 645. We can see the work underway on the roof and where the later additions have now been removed. Alongside is Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298 which is also seeing excellent progress on its restoration.
Down at ground level and we see 645 again.
On board 645 where rewiring is also taking place. Note the ramp leading to the driver’s position.
A closer view of the work underway around the cab.
Also on display was this model of Centenary 651.
A close up view of 298 in the Workshop. As can be seen here much of the side panelling is in place as work continues on its restoration. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 2nd February 2026)
Can’t wait to be at the launch
Me neither. The work was explained to us at the last depot open day, and seemed very impressive, particularly the idea of making the controls accessible to wheelchairs.
The rebuild of the Brush car to original condition will make a fascinating contrast with the other car, at the end of life in Blackpool.
It’s coming on well by the looks. Would still rather original front ends but good to see they’re doing the best with what means they have available.
Always liked that original livery on these cars too, will be interesting to see what they come up with.
643 received a variation of green & cream (after withdrawal) which looked relatively smart I thought: https://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=6665
Out of interest, does anybody know what became of sister car 643? I assume it met with the cutter’s torch at some point?
Long gone
It went to Brooke Special School, Rugby in 2016. It was reported still there in late 2021, but gone by the time of the latest Google Earth images (June 2024) Destination / fate unknown, but presumed scrapped.
Three Blackpool Heritage Teams are being brought back to working order, the best part of three quarters of a million pounds being expended in the process, and where is this happening? Blackpool? Er no.