National Tramway Museum inaugurates new access tram

The National Tramway Museum at Crich, Derbyshire, England launched its new access tram during the weekend of 12/13 September. The tram, Blackpool 645, has been refurbished and fitted with a wheelchair lift at the centre door. This Access Tram 2 is the successor to Access Tram 1, Berlin 3006, which is no longer fit for purpose. In addition to facilitating access for visitors needing the lift, 645 offers the future opportunity for a wheelchair user to drive the tram under supervision. The tram is operating on a weekly basis, with the next dates 22 and 30 September. Bookings can be made at accessibility@tramway.co.uk or by calling 01773 854321. 

 

Blackpool 645 was built in 1985 by East Lancashire Coachbuilders as one of series of eight bogie Centenary Cars introduced to mark 100 years of tramway operation in the Lancashire coastal town. They were equipped with thyristor control for the English Electric motors and were very roomy, with 54 seated and up to 16 standing passengers. It was overhauled in 2003-5. 645 was the final passenger-carrying tram when the old fleet was replaced by Bombardier Flexity in November 2011. It stood in a caravan park until it joined the Blackpool Transport heritage fleet in July 2017. In July 2023 it was donated to the National Transport Museum to become the future access tram.