“Meet the Trams” returns to the National Tramway Museum to catch-up on another tram which has now carried passengers in 2026. That tram is, of course, the latest release from the Workshops which was launched on 12th September 2026: Blackpool 645.
Blackpool Centenary Car 645 is a tram which a few years many would have been surprised to hear had been returned to operational use. It was sold by Blackpool Transport after the end of traditional tram operation in 2011 and initially found its to Windy Harbour Caravan Park (as one of the last trams to find a new home). It remained there for five years and the chance of it running again then were probably quite a long way from everyone’s minds!
645 was one of the eight Centenary Cars built for Blackpool with it entering service in 1987. It would undergo a midlife overhaul and would remain in service until 2011 with it running on the last day of 6th November 2011 (albeit one which saw it towed back to depot having broken down!). After its 2012-2017 period at the Caravan Park it would return to Rigby Road for another six years before moving to Crich in 2023.
Its move to Crich was for a very specific purpose as it was to be converted to become a new Access tram, complete with the fitting of a wheelchair lift. A lot of care and attention to the tram enabled this to work to be completed on schedule and the tram – in a new coat of green and cream livery – entered service on 12th September 2026.
It became the 16th passenger tram to run at Crich in 2026.
645 is seen on launch day here as it heads up the line passing the Bandstand/Entrance stop. (Photograph by Gareth Prior, 12th September 2026)