Marton's Trams - Looking Back

It is hard to recall the quietly distinctive treelined avenue to the east of Blackpool's town centre. Complete with winding tramway tracks and accompanying sleek trams following their ordained path from the front of the Town Hall to the bustling commercial junction at the corner of Lytham Road and Waterloo Road - the Marton tram service had a character all of its own. Divorced from the seaside and its thronging crowds of visiting families intent on a savouring a week away from the humdrum life of industrial Lancashire and further afield - Marton's trams retained an aloof distinction serving the town's residents - right up to the end of service in 1962. At that point Marton's character morphed into just another district of the town map. Below : A superb 'Marton Vambac' car heads down the incline at Raikes Parade having just passed the junction with Cookson Street, followed intently by a familiar Burlingham bus of the 1950s and 1960s en route to Victoria Hospital.

Below : A more noisy English Railcoach rumbles past the Oxford road junction to continue its journey around Marton.

Below : just a few hundred yards north on Whitegate Drive - two Vambacs pass on their respective journeys. Oxford junction in the far background.

A smart new 'Marton Vambac' number 20 just in service awaits its turn to descend from Waterloo Bridge to the Marton terminus at the junction with Lytham Road. The impressive Palladium Cinema provides the background.

In contrast Abingdon Street with its mix of shops is a focal point for residents and visitors alike. Arriving holidaymakers on a bike determine whether or not to overtake the tram.