TRAM 673 & TRAILER 683
 TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |  TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |
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 TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |  TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |
 TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |  TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |
 TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |  TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |
 TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |  TRAMS 673/683 METRO COASTLINES TWINPurchased privately this example of 1960s’ Progress Twin Set programme is made ready for transport to storage by the FHLT - meeting deadlines set by BTS in 2010. |
THE PLANS FOR TRAMS 673 & 683
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The Trust has arranged storage for the set locally in both Kirkham and Fleetwood under its own expense since the collection of the two cars from Rigby Road depot in 2011.
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Future display of this set will be facilitated by the excellent condition of both units, as well as their having many original features.
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Blackpool Transport retain two complete sets in 2015, one of which has been repainted into 1960s fleet livery.
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A further twin-set (674/684) is preserved at the NEETT museum near Sunderland.
THE HISTORY OF TRAM 673 & TRAILER 683
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This is one of the classic ‘Progress Twin-Car’ trailer sets operated by Blackpool from the early 1960s.
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Ten sets were originally acquired with the Motor Units being modified ‘rail coaches’ pulling new trailers built by Metro Cammell and originally numbered T1 - T10 in all cream livery.
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Motor Unit 673 and its matching trailer were modified into ‘push pull’ units with driving cabs at both ends in the 1970s. The sets became number in 67* series for motor units and 68* for their trailers during this period.
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The units were used during summer and illuminations peak loading periods to deal with the large queues forming along the promenade.
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From 2003 five of the remaining twin sets were rebranded into the then ‘Metro Coastlines’ colours with each set bearing a completely different BTS bus route theme colour
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A total of seven complete sets remained at the end of traditional tram service in 2011 when they were deemed surplus to future operating needs and put up for sale
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A private buyer acquired 673/683 with intention of the set being displayed locally. It was assigned to the care of the FHLT following its removal from Rigby Road depot and is now stored in Fleetwood by mutual agreement.