As we continue our “Meet the Trams” series which is currently taking a slightly more detailed look at those trams which have run in service at the National Tramway Museum in 2026 we focus on Blackpool 236, which was first used for the year on 8th April.
Blackpool 236 was built in 1934 as one of the once 12-strong class of what were officially known as Luxury Toastrack but which have been known affectionately as Boat Cars for most of their lives. Mostly used on the Promenade, the Boat Cars would also be used on Circular Tours.
They saw little change over the years, with the most notable being the addition of windscreens in the late 1950s. Come 1968 and it was still in service to allow it to be renumbered 607 as part of the mass tram renumbering. Whilst some members of the class were withdrawn permanently (some ending up in the USA of course), 607 would carry on in service (although did spend a few years out in the 1970s). It had a trip away to Crich in 1985 with trams going the other way for the Centenary of the tramway. Then the great tram mothballing of 2004 would see it taken out of use in Blackpool for the last time.
Following several years in storage at Rigby Road Depot it would be acquired by the Tramway Museum Society and this saw it overhauled in Blackpool Transport’s workshops. This saw its windscreens removed again and its last livery (a green and yellow advertising livery for Travelcards) was replaced by the 1950s version of green and cream.
After this work it was moved to the National Tramway Museum and entered service in April 2012 – and its become a very popular member of the operating fleet since then.
Blackpool 236 waits at Wakebridge on a warm day during the Seaside Fun event earlier this year. (Photograph by Steven Hughes, 27th May 2026)