Blackpool Tramways

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Blackpool Tramways
All trams stop at Starr Gate on 21st June!

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=11611

675+685 go green and cream

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=11614

Credit: British Trams Online.

Railcoach 680 to return home!

The Manchester Transport Museum Society and Blackpool Transport are pleased to announce that ex Towing Railcoach 680 will be returning to its native rails, on an initial two year loan, in time for the 130 events in September.

MTMS Chairman Bob Hill said "We are delighted to be working with Blackpool Transport once again and that Heaton Park Tramway can support the ground breaking Heritage venture. I am thrilled that one of our Trams will delight visitors as part of Blackpool’s famous Heritage Tram Tours. 680 will fill a current gap in the Heritage Collection as it is the only operational ex Towing Railcoach and will be the only single deck Tram in 1990s condition in Blackpool."


Bryan Lindop of Blackpool Transport's Heritage Department commented, “The wonderful offer from our friends at Heaton Park to loan us a tram for our 130th Anniversary was too good an opportunity to miss and highlights the outstanding relationship that Blackpool Transport enjoys with its nearest heritage neighbour. Partnership working between the two organisations has never been better and I am really looking forward to welcoming 680 back to Blackpool for a good holiday!”

680 was withdrawn in October 2008, being purchased for eventual operation on the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester. After a period of storage the car went to Beamish, regaining its former livery and identity as 280 and operating from January 2014 to March 2015, before finally moving to Manchester. As part of the work to return the car home to Blackpool, 280 will become 680 once again, and will debut during September resplendent in the 1990s green and cream fleet livery complete with pantograph.

The car will run as 280 for the last time at Heaton Park during a Blackpool event on 8th and 9th August, and our photograph, from spring 1993, shows the condition in which it will return to Blackpool.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHerita...rs?fref=nf

Credit: Blackpool Heritage Trams Tours Facebook Page.

So a busy time for the workshop as regards towing/ex-towing cars then.