Photo © Paul Haywood. Please do not re-post without permission.

A remarkable contrast between Blackpool's "Jubilee" car 761 and "Dreadnought" 59.

"Jubilee" car 761 had a 104-seat (soon reduced to 98-seat) body built in-house by Blackpool in 1979. It was the first of two experimental one person operated double-deckers, following experience with their single-deck OMO cars. As can be seen, it followed bus design, incorporating Duple Metsec frames and East Lancs internal fittings, and painted in a style resembling their recently acquired Atlanteans. It re-used the English Electric trucks and motors from Balloon car 725 (withdrawn in 1971) but with new Westinghouse thyristor chopper-control gear and Metalastik rubber suspension. Although designed for OPO operation, its narrow single door proved to be inadequate, so a conductor was needed during busy periods. This experience meant that sister car 762 (built in 1982) was fitted with dual doors. After many years operating in all-over liveries, 761 last ran in 2011 at the conclusion of traditional tramway operation and went into outside storage. Thankfully, in 2014, it was taken into undercover storage at Rigby Road and is currently in the care of the Fylde Transport Trust, pending a decision to return it to original 1979 condition for use on Heritage services.

Blackpool "Dreadnought" 59 was one of twenty 49/44-seat double deckers built by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. in 1902. Their unique staircases were designed for quick loading and unloading, but the danger for passengers stepping off into the street became increasingly apparent. Following withdrawal in 1935, it was stored at Copse Road depot, Fleetwood for use as a staff mess room until being partial restored for the tramway's 75th anniversary in 1960. It moved to Crich in 1965 then returned to Blackpool in 1975 where, after full restoration, it operated occasional special services - as seen. Its final move back to Crich was in 1990 when it became a static exhibit, but is now in off-site storage pending restoration. Both cars are seen on a special Light Rail Transit Association tour. At their AGM the day before, the Light Railway Transport League formerly adopted a new constitution and changed its name to the Light Rail Transit Association, so this was the first official LRTA tour.

Photo taken by Paul Haywood, Sunday 25 November 1979, Thornton Gate, Blackpool

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