We go back to “15 Years Apart” today as we take a look at the same tram in both 2010 and 2025. This time out its Blackpool Pantograph 167 which we see in two different locations.
2010 was meant to have seen 167 operating on the Blackpool Tramway for the 125th anniversary, but unfortunately it suffered a failure which meant its use was very brief and then it was just sitting in the depot until arrangements could be made for its return to its usual home at the Crich Tramway Village. And we see it here on 30th September 2010 as its getting ready to go home. The tram has been loaded onto the back of a Scotts low loader and will soon be setting off for the journey to Derbyshire.
167 has managed to return to Blackpool since for a much more successful loan spell and has also been seen at Beamish in the intervening 15 years. But 2025 and its firmly keeping its wheels on the ground as it was part of the operating fleet at Crich during the year. We see it here at a very wet Wakebridge with it heading north towards Glory Mine as a brave family are about to dash over from the shelter to get onto the dry tram. This was 14th September 2025. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)
There were a few disappointments in 2010, including the unsuitability of the Oporto tram 273, also from Crich, to operate on the Blackpool system, together with the accident involving Johannesburg 60 during transit, which put a stop to any double decker visiting Blackpool on loan from the Museum. At least Liverpool 762 and Marton 31 made it. Rack 2 didn’t exactly perform flawlessly, with a couple of failures in service, I recall, although it rose to the occasion for the grand Cavalcade.
Overall not a bad celebration. Unfortunately however, Standard 143 was not completed as had been hoped and it has still to run to this day in normal heritage service, but given the current situation may never get the opportunity to carry passengers.
I don’t know when you typed this but it now seems that 143 will indeed carry passengers again – albeit not at Blackpool, but at the East Anglia Transport Museum instead as it left today.
It will carry passengers now!!!!
Well, at least there’s been some good news for 143 in recent days!
I recall seeing it in Rigby Road at the 130th anniversary weekend (2015). This was the day after Princess Alice had broken down, and on the depot tour Bryan Lindop said the plan was to get 143 ready for the 2016 season to replace Alice as the tramway’s ‘open’ double-decker.
Back on topic, I’m always happy to see more of 167. The Pantograph cars are an interesting half-way house between the ‘traditional’ Blackpool trams (up to and including the Standards) and the ‘modern’ Railcoaches/Balloons/Boats etc of the 1930s.
I was VERY fortunate to drive this tram whilst it was in Blackpool in 2009(2010?). The year before Blackpool Transport had donated an opportunity for a day’s tram driving experience as a raffle prize to a local radio station that was raising money for some charity. They offered this prize for auction, and my wife won it. I got the paper work through shortly afterwards. I then broke my ankle, and had other medical issues around the time. After I was fit again I wrote to Blackpool Transport to enquire when I could use the voucher they had sent me. I was told I wouldn’t be able to use it, as they had stopped doing Driver Training Days. I wrote back as said this wasn’t on. They cntacted me and said they had one tram available that I could drive, and it was the Pantograph. I jumped at it, and spent a very enjoyable day riding all rails, except Manchester Square to Rigby Road depot.I was even given fish and chips at Bispham paid for by Blackpool Transport. A day never to be forgotten!
Hopefully, the Western Train will escape any possible forthcoming cull of heritage trams at Blackpool given its potential to generate income. That will then continue to provide a Pantograph car experience in the form of the near-complete 174, being the carriage component. Let’s be optimistic about this. Of course, it is hoped that 167 will continue to provide many more years of pleasure at Crich.