Throughout this year all the trams which had been entering service at the National Tramway Museum also saw operation in 2025, but that has changed over the past week with two more being used for service neither of which were out last year. They are Liverpool 869 and Blackpool 762, the latter of which hadn’t run since 2019!
Liverpool 869 was the first one out of the blocks with it being allocated to service on Tuesday 9th June 2026. 869 had missed the 2025 season but was used during 2024. Following commissioning work it was cleared for service earlier in June and was chosen for action for the first on 9th June alongside Glasgow 22 and Leeds 345.
Then just 24 hours later, on Wednesday 10th June 2026, and Blackpool Jubilee Car 762 was out for the first time since 2019. The three-car service on this day was very Blackpool dominated with the two 40s also out – Standard Car and Box Car.
It had been revealed ahead of this season that it was planned to get the double deck one-person operated tram in service again and work has been ongoing to make this possible.
One of the big reasons for getting it back out is to provide a tram for driver training ahead of the completion of the all-important Access Tram II, Blackpool Centenary 645, with the two trams sharing similar equipment. But it does also provide a useful tram which can be used one person operated. It is also popular with children thanks to its all over advert for Nickelodeon Land.
After work in the workshop – which included an overhaul of a motor which is why it had been withdrawn from service in the first place – the tram had been commissioned in time for the Seaside Fun event. It was even very nearly in service on Sunday 24th May, however the record-breaking temperatures saw the overhead sag which meant it wasn’t deemed safe to operate pantograph (or bow collector) fitted trams and so it was swiftly sent back to depot.
With the overhead having been attended to during a standard Friday closure day earlier in June, and with no worries about high temperatures causing problems!, it was able to be used for the first time this year on 10th June 2026.
For now, whilst 762 has been commissioned for service its use will be limited as more drivers require training on it.
With 869 and 762 now having been used that makes 15 different passenger trams which have carried so far in 2026.