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| Illuminated 'Rocket' 732 | |
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Blackpool is famous for its autumn illuminations that extend the summer season to the beginning of November each year, long after many UK seaside resorts have closed down for the winter.
Specially decorated, illuminated trams have been a feature of the tramway since 1912. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that Blackpool started operating special tours of the illuminations by tram and a touch of creativity led to the construction of a small fleet of passenger carrying mobile tableux starting in 1959. The Rocket reflected contemporary interest in the space age programme and ‘Tramnik One’ was created on the basis of a withdrawn 1928 Pantograph car. The result was perhaps one of the most imaginative tram designs ever created, with passengers seating at an angle of 20 degrees. Launched in 1961, the Rocket became a regular feature of the autumn illuminations. In later years, the illuminated trams were fitted with advertising panels for sponsorship by commercial organisations. By the late 1990s, some of the fleet were becoming in need of major overhaul. The Rocket, constructed on the underframe of a 1928 built tram and in need of a complete rewiring was withdrawn after the 1999 season. Consideration was given to undertaking overhaul work but in the event plans were abandoned. In February 2002, Blackpool Transport donated the Rocket to the LTT although the tram remains stored at Rigby Road depot. |
| © Lancastrian Transport Trust - Registered Charity No. 1080404 | ||
