Railcoach 279 returns to Rigby Road

Railcoach 279 approaching Blundell Street on the back of Reid Freight's low loader

Railcoach 279 was moved from the Fylde Transport Trust's depot at Brinwell Road in Marton to Rigby Road tram depot on Thursday 17th March. The recreation of English Electric Railcoach 279 from former trailer towing car 679 had progressed as far as it could at the FTT's premises, so on Thursday morning Reid Freight Services arrived with a low loader to transport 279 the short distance to the centre of Blackpool. After a tricky extraction from the Fylde Transport Trust's depot into the narrow confines of Brinwell Road, 279 was transported to Blundell Street, where the Railcoach was quickly unloaded and then moved into the tram depot by Engineering Car 754.

Railcoach 279 being winched onto Reid's low loader in the FTT depot at Brinwell Road

279 is nearly in position on Reid Freight Services low loader

279 securely chained down on the back of Reid Freight's low loader

The low loader carefully reversing out of the FTT depot into Brinwell Road

The low loader struggling to manoeuvre its way out of the FTT depot due to the restricted access

Railcoach 279 sat in the sunshine for the first time in several years

Railcoach 279 sitting in Brinwell Road ready to make the journey home to Rigby Road tram depot

Reid's low loader reversing out of Brinwell Road onto Clifton Road in Marton

Railcoach 279 on Lytham Road as it approaches the tram depot

Reid's low loader overshooting the correct left turn into Blundell Street

BTS Enviro 222 on staff bus duty passing 279 in Blundell Street

279 being winched down the low loader rail ramp onto Blundell Street

Engineering Car 754 towing Railcoach 279 along Blundell Street

Engineering Car 754 propelling 279 along Hopton Road into the tram depot

279 departing Rigby Road depot for further restoration with the FTT in August 2018

Railcoach 279 in September 2015, while being stored in the fitting shop at Rigby Road

279 leaving the old Lancastrian Transport Trust premises in Brinwell Road in October 2013

Trailer Towing Car 679 (279) in 1980s style green and cream livery at the Tower in March 2004