We continue to “Meet the Trams” which have run in service at the National Tramway Museum during 2026 and the next tram to feature is Blackpool 40.
2026 marks the 100th birthday of Blackpool Standard 40 with it having originally entered service on Blackpool Corporation Tramways in 1926. It was built within Blackpool’s own workshops at Rigby Road and was originally an open balcony tramcar with open driver’s vestibules as well. Its earlier number in the sequence was as a result of it technically (as far as the official records would show anyway) being a rebuild of an earlier tram. It entered service in the red, white and teak livery.
It did receive enclosed driver’s vestibules in 1931 but would retain its open balcony throughout its operating career. In fact, it became the last open balcony car to operate in the UK when it was withdrawn on 12th January 1963 (by which time it had gone green and cream).
It moved to Crich in 1963 and the following year entered service and saw extensive use in the next 20 years. Overhaul then came in 1983/1984 which saw it restored to the red, white and teak livery for the first time in preservation and it then headed off to Blackpool to play a starring role in the Tramway Centenary celebrations.
After its time in Blackpool it returned to Crich again and has once again been used extensively. It received another overhaul and repaint from 2021 but was back in service again in 2023. It has covered the most miles at Crich of any tram in the collection.
This is Blackpool 40 seen at Glory Mine last season. (Photograph by Gareth Prior, 14th September 2025)