Tram Disposal

John Woodman

The FHLT's lengthy efforts to create a theme heritage museum on Fleetwood's waterfront utilising a number of acquired Blackpool trams generated no support from the local Council which preferred to underwrite efforts to bring a diesel powered train for intermittent use locally. The latter sadly has also failed to transpire despite the efforts of a local rail preservation group over a decade (at least).

The trams acquired for the FHLT scheme are thus being disposed of with several fortunate in gaining worthwhile sponsors and alternative homes. Double deckers 761 and 710 were returned to Rigby Road Depot where they will form part of the permanent tram exhibition being created as 'Tramtown'. Brush Car 290 also gained a safe home having been transferred to the East Anglia Transport Museum where it is being readied for service in the near future. Regrettably the Trust have to assign both Centenary 641 and motor unit 678 to the scrapman and urgently looking for options to preserve the Twin Set and Brush Car onsite at present - with new owners able to safely house these two trams for public display. Ideally the Trust would also like to see 641 preserved as the 1984 prototype car built in Blackburn for Blackpool Transport - and any credible expression of interest is now welcome. Motor Unit 678 is in woeful condition but would provide a worthwhile source of parts to a restoration group, including bogies and controls as well as roof glazing still fitted to this unit. Below : Centenary 641 displayed at the Pleasure Beach loop in its final colours.

Two nocturnal views taken by Gary Mitchell with motor unit 678 above showing its age and condition and above Brush Car 637 (still privately owned) but under the care of the FHLT - still with its handpainted advertising for Blackpool Zoo.