We continue our look at the heritage trams which have run in 2026 and we remain at Beamish for this latest article with a review of Blackpool 31.
Blackpool 31 is a tram which owes its existence in preservation to the fact that after its initial passenger use came to an end it was converted to a Works Car. It was originally built in 1901 by the Midland Railway Carriage and Wagon Company as a double deck open topper, before being rebuilt in 1918 which saw its body length extended but it still remained open top.
In 1928 it received a top cover but its passenger carrying days came to an end just six years later. This saw it become Engineering Car 4 with it losing its top cover again and receive a tower for overhead line inspection. Renumbered to 754 it remained in use until 1983 when it was transferred on long-term loan to Beamish which saw work started on its restoration back to a passenger tram once more. It entered service at Beamish in 1988 in its open top condition and is a very popular tram.
As well as operation at Beamish it has enjoyed loan spells back to Blackpool (on three occasions – 1997-1999, 2010 and 2016-2017) and a very popular spell at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway from November 2010 until May 2011.
We feature a photo of 31 in operation at Beamish on 7th May 2023. As is normally the case it has a packed top deck of passengers enjoying some Bank Holiday weekend sunshine. (Photograph by Gareth Prior, 7th May 2023)
This is one of the best preserved Blackpool cars of the pre-streamliner period, if not the best of all. Really, who needs to visit Blackpool with its tacky hen and stag scene amongst other doubtful delights, when one can enjoy a reasonable length of ride on such a delightful tram at Beamish? Although it could be pointed out that 621 and 101 enjoyed little technical commitment while at Beamish, this tram must surely be a credit to them.