1898 CROSSBENCH CAR

(RED LIVERY)

1898 BLACKPOOL AND FLEETWOOD CROSSBENCH CAR (Red Livery)

The Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad began operation in 1898, using 10 open sided bogie tramcars (numbered 1 to 10) built by G.F. Milnes of Birkenhead, and known as “Crossbenches” or “Racks”.   In 1920 the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad was taken over by Blackpool Corporation and the cars were renumbered 126 to 135 consecutively.

 This kit can be made up as preserved car Number 2 or service car 126.

 No. 2 remained in passenger service (as Blackpool 127) until 1939, when it was withdrawn and entered the works fleet as No.6, being used as a snowplough.   In 1960, it was decided to restore four former passenger cars for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations.  Two of these were former Blackpool and Fleetwood cars: Crossbench No. 2 and box car No. 40.   In 1963, No. 2 was transported to the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire, where it remains in service today.

 Car Number 126 (Blackpool and Fleetwood Number 1) carried the red Blackpool Livery from March 1920 until May 1933 when all the cars were repainted green/cream.   It was withdrawn in September 1939 and became part of the works fleet as a permanent way car, carrying the number 3 from 1942.  It was scrapped in 1951.                          RETURN TO HOME PAGE