Back on 10th June 2026 Blackpool Jubilee Car 762 made a return to service at the National Tramway Museum following the conclusion of work to repairs its motor and commission it for service once more. Since then the tram has only been able to see limited use, mainly because only a few drivers are trained on it. But driver training is ongoing and this saw the tram out on Monday 22nd June 2026, with it also being pressed into service for a couple of runs. Steven Hughes was at the museum to witness it.
762 – which was the 15th different passenger tram to have been used in service so far in 2026 – can be a bit of a marmite tram amongst enthusiasts but one of the big reasons for it returning to the operational fleet is to allow drivers to be trained on the controls ahead of Blackpool Centenary 645 entering service this September. Both use the same system and so it being available now should mean that when the new Access Tram is commissioned enough drivers will be able to drive it meaning when its needed by visitors it can be used.
762 was withdrawn from service in 2019 after suffering a motor fault and since then has been stored in the depots at Crich. It was moved into the workshop ahead of this season and work was completed on its overhaul/repairs to allow it to be handed to the operations department in late May 2026. Its first planned use during Seaside Fun had to be aborted due to high temperatures causing the overhead to lag but it was then able to be used on 10th June 2026 for the first time.
The tram retains its all over advert for Nickelodeon Land at the Pleasure Beach – another thing which adds to its popularity with the younger visitors to Crich.
762 stands at Stephenson Place.
As 762 heads up the line it passes Blackpool Standard 40.
Blackpool Pantograph 167 was also in service.
As was Leeds 399.
And here we see 762 again as it comes back to the main museum street and is about to pass The Red Lion. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 22nd June 2026)