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)