Blackpool Transport Jubilee Car

The two Jubilee cars were rebuilds of Blackpool Transport's Balloon cars and were the ultimate development of the British double decker tram. The two trams were experimental, with a body very much like a contemporary double decker bus. The first rebuild was completed in 1979 and was named the Jubilee car as it was introduced not long after the HM Queen's Silver Jubilee.

762 preserved at Crich

Information
Number built:	2
Built:	1979, 1982 (Conversion) 1934-35 (Original build)
Builder:	Blackpool Transport & English Electric
Motor:	2 EE305 electric motors (600v DC OHLE)
Power:	104 hp (86 kW)

The second conversion took place in 1982, unlike the first tram, this one retained it's central doors. Compared to their original bodies, the trams were lengthened. The first conversion had ninety-six seats, the second had ninety. They also had new suspension and were fitted for one man operation. They continued to serve with Blackpool Transport until 2012, both have now been preserved. They were the last double decker trams to be built in Britain. 

Aboard 672, just like a 1980s motor bus!

The end of 762

Blackpool Corporation Standard Cars

Blackpool Corporation Transport, which had amalgamated with the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad in 1920, were in desperate need of new trams by the early 1920s. The Standard Cars were built to be fully enclosed and more geared to commuter traffic than earlier trams which had prioritised the tourist trade (and had been rather open to the elements).

Information
Number built:	42
Built:	1923-29
Builder:	Blackpool Corporation Transport Dept. / Hurst Nelson
Motor:	2 British Thomson-Houston B265C electric motors (550v DC OHLE)
Power:	70 hp (52 kW)

The trams were all double deckers and originally with open balconies though later refits enclosed these also on some trams. The trams were built at Blackpool Corporation's own workshop, for accounting reasons some trams were classed as "rebuilds" of earlier trams made by Hurst Nelson though very little in practice was retained.

Although withdrawals began in the 1940s the Standard Cars survived in service until 1966. One of the preserved cars, Number 40, which was withdrawn in 1963, was the last open balcony tram (and hence first generation electric tram) to remain in service in the country.

Number 40 at Crich Tramway Museum

Number 49, also at Crich

Another view of Number 40

The open balcony is fully visible in this view of Number 40

Blackpool Corporation "Toastrack" Tram

Blackpool has obviously been a popular tourist destination for many years and thus the town's tram network saw the opportunity to cater for the holiday market, in 1911 the tram corporation ordered twenty four open top trams for tourist travel. Known as the "Toastrack" tram due to their simple form and the resemblance to a toast rack! They were little more than a motorised underframe with wooden bench seats on top of it and a pole for the trolley mast.

Information
Number built:	30
Built:	1911-27
Builder:	Blackpool Corporation
Motor:	2 GE52 traction motors (550v DC OHLE)
Power:	54 hp (40 kW)

The Toastrack trams proved very popular during the holiday season and similar trams were also used at other seaside resorts including Southport [1]. A further six were built in 1927 for an expansion of the Blackpool tram network along the South Promenade. The outbreak of the Second World War put an end to most open top tram travel and the original fleet of twenty four trams were scrapped. The six newer cars survived as works cars for a time before they began to also be scrapped.

However a couple were used for broadcasting including the first ever live broadcast from a moving vehicle when the BBC filmed the Blackpool Illuminations in 1951. The cars survived in service until the late 1960s before finally being withdrawn, one car 166 was preserved in 1972.

Blackpool Corporation 166 at Crich Tramway Museum

166 has a very simple design

Another view of 166

[1] R.W. Rush, British Electric Tramcar Design (Oxford Publishing, 1976) p. 92