Monday 9 December 2013

Coronation 663 returns to Rigby Road

663 on Scotts low loader with the trailer wheels on full lock as it reverses out of the former LTT depot at Brinwell Road

Coronation 663 became the last tram to leave the former Lancastrian Transport Trust premises at Brinwell Road in Marton on 9th December, when it made the short journey to Rigby Road depot to become part of the growing heritage fleet of Blackpool Transport. 663 had only days to go until a deadline for it to be removed from the former LTT depot (now Heatons Engineering Ltd), so it was with great relief that Scotts Heavy Haulage extracted the tram from the building and transported it the short distance to Blundell Street ready for unloading. Coronation 663 has had a nomadic existence for the last 37 years since it departed Rigby Road for preservation back in 1976, residing at various locations around the country, and even suffering flood damage to the bogies while being stored at Lytham. 663 will now join Coronations 304 and 660 at Rigby Road depot. For more photos of 663's move see Blackpool Trams on Flickr.

Coronation 663 on Scotts low loader on Lytham Road in Blackpool on its way back to Rigby Road tram depot
Coronation 663 on Scotts low loader making the turn from Hopton Road into Blundell Street
The front bogie of 663 finally touches down again on Blackpool rails, 37 years since it left for preservation in 1976

1 comment:

  1. When 663 gets attention, how about fitting the chopper control off a scrap car. Only problem I can see is the rheostatic braking which the Cononations depend on.

    ReplyDelete