Owners: Blackpool Transport
Type: Open Top bogie single decker decker
Body: English Electric
Trucks: English Electric
Controllers: BTH B18
Motors: English Electric (2x40hp)
Built: 1934
As part of Walter Luff's 1930s masterplan to modernise the Blackpool tramway, 12 open top streamlined single deckers arrived in 1934. Intended to be modernised versions of the tourist toastrack used on the Promenade and circular tours, these elegant cars with bow wave profile and centre pagoda were quickly christened 'boats' . Car 225 was the prototype and arrived in early 1934 with 226-236 following during the summer with a few modifications - notably higher sides. As the tramway shrunk in the 1960s, four of the boats were dismantled, but the other eight survived to be renumbered 600-607 in 1968. Gradually the fleet has reduced again with three cars exported to the USA and 2010 dawns with three cars left in the operating fleet - though one is likely to be on loan to a museum during the season. Two others have been preserved by LTT (605) and TMS (607). Prototype 225 is now 600 and after a lengthy spell on loan to the Heaton Park Tramway from 1985 to 1997 it was retired in 2009 for its first ever major overhaul. These cars have always had very low mileages and have only received routine work. Completely stripped it has been progressively rebuilt and will be returned to use during 2010 fully equipped for a future on the refurbished tramway.
