Saturday 12th September 2026 was a momentous day at the National Tramway Museum as Blackpool Centenary 645 had its official launch following its conversion into a new Access Tram. While it may not be a full blown restoration to original condition the work on 645 is probably one of the most important projects to have come out of the workshops at Crich in recent years and will now mean that everyone can get on board a tram when they visit the museum.
Blackpool Centenary 645 was one of eight trams built by East Lancashire Coachbuilders in the mid-1980s as replacements for the aging fleet of OMO cars (themselves rebuilt from 1930s English Electric Railcoaches). 645 was delivered to Blackpool on 8th September 1987 and would carry its first passengers on 27th October of the same year.
As with the rest of the Centenary Cars it underwent a rebuild in 2005 and would remain in that condition until the end of the traditional tramway would come. For 645 that end was a little on abrupt side as it broke down and had to be towed back to depot by the Unimog on 6th November 2011.
Originally sold to the Windy Harbour Caravan Park, 645 moved there in January 2012 and would stay until July 2017 when it returned to Rigby Road Depot. By this time it was carrying a graffiti style livery which had been applied on top of the base colours it had carried at the end of its operating career.
Six years later and it was on the move again – and this time it was a very significant move as it would lead to its return to service. It arrived at Crich in July 2023 with the aim of using it as a new Access Tram for the museum with Berlin 223 006-4 needing major work for it to continue in that role.
Work on converting 645 started in earnest in 2025 and since then the Workshop team have not only overhauled the tram to bring it back into service but made it into the new Access Tram. This has included the removal of many of the seats – it now has capacity for three wheelchair users plus 25 seated passengers – and the fitting of a wheelchair lift. It is also considered to be a world first as it will enable wheelchair users to drive the tram as part of the Ultimate Driving Experience programme.
On Saturday 12th September 2026 the tram was officially launched in a ceremony at Stephenson Place with Mayor of the East Midlands, Clare Ward, joining members from the Tramway Museum Society, including members of the Workshop team who had brought the project to life.
Following its launch, 645 ran several trips for invited guests along the line before later on in the day it operated for other visitors at the museum. It was again in service during the morning of the following day but unfortunately it was unable to be used after it had returned to depot for photos over lunch.
Full credit must be given to all those involved in this all important project to get 645 back to the rails.
645 arrives for its launch ceremony. A line-up of trams due to run on that day wait on the opposite track including LCC 1 and Glasgow 22.
Dean Sharp – Project Lead – and Peter Whiteley from the Workshop team during the launch ceremony.
645 is seen ahead of its first run along the line. Its joined by London County Council 106.
645 disappears up the line and passes fellow Blackpool tram, Boat 236, as it does.
The wheelchair lift on 645 is readied for action.
645 comes back to Town End and has London Transport 1622 behind.
645 comes under the Bowes Lyon Bridge with another of its trips.
And a final look at 645 on launch day as it passes the side of the Workshop. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 12th September 2026)
- Video of the launch comes from Steven Hughes Transport Videos on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4ZPSA9eGOiw?si=FRlDA3ys736mJg_m and also from Bob Hodges Transport DVDs at https://youtu.be/6ErtFcOgxKk?si=WpsqiwyEUn3RuuvI
There will be plenty more coverage from Tram Weekend on British Trams Online coming soon!