On Wednesday 22nd July there was unexpected activity at Tramtown – Blackpool Transport’s Rigby Road depot – as several trams which have been stored in the main depot building were shunted onto the depot fan.
In total five trams were moved on the day: Brush Railcoach 632, Twin Trailer Car 681, Rocket 732, Western Train 733+734 and Trampower 611. Of these 632 and 732 are part of the Fylde Transport Trust collection with the Trampower vehicle presumably still owned by the Trampower group who had ambitions for a tramway to run in Preston. The Western Train and 681 are both still owned by Blackpool Transport.
632 was just moved to release the Rocket and was put back into the depot afterwards, whilst the others remained outside of the depot and stored on the depot fan where they currently remain.
These are the first moves of any heritage trams in Blackpool for several weeks. Although we did see some private hires earlier in the year (May/June) and it was anticipated there would be an announcement of public tours for the summer and illuminations following that.
However, reports in local media have said that Blackpool Transport need to complete further work on the heritage trams to satisfy the ORR. Exactly what work this may be has not been stated. The reports were accompanied by quotes from both spokespeople from Blackpool Transport as well as Lea Harrison, the new Managing Director.
Bolton 66, Balloon 717 and the illuminated Frigate remain at Starr Gate Depot.
Rigby Road Depot itself remains out of bounds. This, of course, includes the former Fitting Shop which was home to the Tramtown attraction last year. It was announced earlier this year that it would now be closed as that part of the building was deemed to no longer be safe. The Tramtown volunteers remain active and a recent statement from them confirmed that they are now in regular dialogue with Blackpool Transport about a potential future.
- Video of the trams being shunted can be viewed on the Tramtown YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QCjUbqL4hw&t=321s
The Unimog was used to shunt the trams – a task it has probably fulfilled many times over the years, although in different circumstances!. This first photo shows the FTT’s Brush Railcoach 632 extracted from the depot to release the Rocket.
Of the trams moved the Western Train was the last to have run in service. It was used during the 2024 Illuminations season but since then has remained stabled inside Rigby Road Depot.
The Trampower tram doesn’t see the light of day very often but was moved out the depot during the shunt. This prototype tram is on its third visit to Blackpool although was strictly for storage this time, arriving in the resort on 21st March 2018.
A large amount of track cleaning was needed to be able to move the trams, as we see here with the amount of detritus by the side of the rails. This view shows the Rocket and Twin Trailer Car 681 now stabled on the depot fan. (Photographs x4 by Oliver Shenton, 22nd July 2026. Taken within the depot yard with permission)
Six days later and the trams remained on the fan. Here we see the Trampower tram with the Rocket to the right.
Trampower and the Rocket.
We now see the Western Train, Trampower and the Rocket.
And one final view of the Western Train. (Photographs x4 by Steven Hughes, 28th July 2026)