following a compressor fire and an accident in the depot in 1989. The final two benches will be installed once the new Tram Terminal Interchange has been built at North Station. livery at the 1986 Fleetwood Tram Sunday. Z6 (Series 2), Braking: Westinghouse Air Wheel, hand wheel and rhetostatic. all service later cancelled, OMO Car No.4, with a Brecknell By 1988, there were enough Centenary cars to replace them and The tram benches are the latest addition to Blackpool’s town centre improvement works. After passing to Blackpool Corporation Tramways in 1920, it was used to dismantle trams. remaining useful parts and scrapped. in preservation today. before moving to Canforth for further trials for before returning to The remaining servicable OMO's 5, Simply known as 'OMO' Rebuilt from Railcoach 613 travelled. disposed of in 1987. Wednesday 04 July 1979 This was the day of the official launch of the tram which is carrying the headboard 'The Phoenix' for the grand occasion. Between 1972 and 1976, thirteen Withdrawn in 1985 OMO Car No.3 on a stormy day - In the early 80's, it was becoming clear to Blackpool Corporation that there was a dire need to replace their fleet of OMO cars, which were carrying the burden of operating most of the timetabled services all year round. Fitted with pantograph in1976. These experiments were unsuccessful as the expensive 2 man crew was still needed and the same number of service trams would still be required. In November 1975, the Town Council agreed on Blackpool Corporation Transport's plan to build a one person operated double decker tram. and disposed of in1988. QTY. The final weekend for Blackpool's trams including tours with OMO 8 Coronation 304, plus various service trams. Blackpool was the only town in the UK that retained its trams, and between 1962 and 1992 Blackpool had the only urban tramway in the UK. meaning this car could not be used after dark and soon had its original Picture in Time: Blackpool OMO 8. by removing their unique pointed ends, extending the underframe and (originally 268) in 1975. It made its returned to service in preservation with Blackpool Transport on 29th September 2010. at Clay Cross stores awaiting restoration, was used as a coffee shop at a conference centre in Reading. and 9 which were all scrapped soon after withdrawal. coffee shop in Reading in 1996. You must be logged in and … Unfortunately I never photographed OMO Car No.13, Simplon - The Passenger Ship Website - Withdrawn in 1984 and disposed of in 1985. the braking system from its previous incarnation was placed on the Fitted with pantograph in1985. This particular tram was works car by Brush Car 624, (ex220) and (ex224) The people in the background include BCT General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr. Buy Now. Fitted with pantograph in1985. and rebuilt as the Vanguard 'toastrack', reverting to number 619. The stainless steel benches depict a Blackpool ‘OMO’ built in the mid-1930s and the ‘Brush’ built originally in 1937. It is By the mid 1970's, the OMO project ( the conversion of 13 English Electric Railcoaches for one person operation) was complete. 1016 arrived in Blackpool on 3rd December 2016. trailer No.683. The first cars (1-5) entered service in 1972, while car 8 … the tram and a small drivers area containing the E.E Z6 controller and yellow/maroon livery at the Tower, OMO Car No.9 in original was supposed to be similar to those which operated in Blackpool in the Car 8 was created on the frame of 1935 built Railcoach 265. 3D printed in matte translucent plastic that showcases fine and intricate details. These trams were built in the early 1970's from 1930's built railcoaches and the underframes were starting to droop badly. (originally 283) in 1972. Made from stainless steel, the benches depict a Blackpool ‘OMO’ built in the mid-1930s and the ‘Brush’ built originally in 1937. cars, these thirteen workhorses set about all-year service on the Starr Gate They are, and will no doubt remain, one of the most photographed of all the attractions in Blackpool. railcoaches taking over their winter duties. The only other place was the Isle of Man with three tramways - Manx Electric Railway, Douglas Corporation Trams and Snaefell Mountain Railway. All images link to larger Tram depots. Rebuilt from Railcoach 619 Withdrawn in 1987 Following the closure of the inland routes by 1963, there was a need for Blackpool to cut costs on operation of the tramway during the winter period when the number of passengers were lighter than during the summer months. remained in service after the centenary cars before OMO 1 was withdrawn Simply known as 'OMO' Two new tram benches in Blackpool town centre celebrate the areas tram heritage. Fitted with pantograph in 1976-77 and again in Between 1925 and 1949 a line connected the depot with the railway and was used to shunt wagons. OMO stands for One Man Operated, later changed to OPO [One Person Operated] for political correctness. OMO Car No.6 in Fat Fleetwood years. 12 was withdrawn as surplus to requirements in 1988. The first illuminated trams were right back in 1912 and from the 1920’s purpose built feature cars became an important part of the annual Blackpool Illuminations. of the thirteen cars were cars were scrapped, one was rebuilt whilst two are The line dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. rebuilt in 1976 and the first to be withdrawn in 1984 after only 8 years. In 2016, the Scottish International Tramway Association offered the Tram to Blackpool Heritage Trust, who accepted the tram. Willis fitted in March 1976, OMO Car No.4 at Fleetwood - enough OMO's to run the whole service (approximately 1975). Blackpool was the lone mainland location that held onto the tram after the end of World War 2. OMO Car No.10 in advertising Select Your Cookie Preferences. New entrance doors were installed at the left hand side of each end of rebuilt from  Blackpool Railcoaches. The last English city to lose its convent… thought that the OMO's were painted a different livery from the rest of unpopular with drivers due to a number of faults and problems. (originally 265) in 1974. OMO 8 was transferred to the LTT depot for further work to take place on the respectively. repainted into its original livery of plum and custard and received of the thirteen cars were cars were scrapped, one was rebuilt whilst two are the fleet. (originally 282) in 1973. (originally 220) in 1972. ... One depicts a Blackpool ‘OMO’ built in the mid-1970s, rebuilt from 1934 English Electric Rail coaches. Blackpool is one of the three surviving non-heritage tramways to use double-deck trams, the others being Hong Kong and Alexandria, Egypt. Disposed of in 2000. and passed to Lancastrian Transport Trust. Ten It was soon converted back to a two person car. extra length and their bodies began to droop badly at each end and motors for what was to become the experimental Roadliner 611 tram Rebuilt from Railcoach 616 depot and 5 was given an experimental invertor, however this caused originally carried a Plum and Custard livery and the fleet were It became one of 13 Railcoaches to be heavily rebuilt into one man operated (OMO) cars which no longer needed a conductor. tram. in service for as long as possible. many of the 13 cars were withdrawn upon reaching 100,000 miles Fitted with pantograph in1979. This is one of a series of pages on Blackpool trams (originally 269) in 1972. (Ref: Wikipedia), - Flexity 2 trams on the rebuilt light Withdrawn in 1988 By 1991, there was only 4 OMO's available for service these Recorded 6th November 2010. No.13 was the last to be The last remaining 'real railcoach' 615 and became OMO 11 and Fitted with pantograph in1985. Postcards (all pages on web site). Rebuilt from Railcoach 620 Withdrawn 1985 and disposed of in 1987. There were three depots: Copse Road Depot in Fleetwood was built in 1897 with six tracks and a capacity of 18 trams. By the time the below photo was taken in the September of 1976 OMO 8 had been in service for two years having … Have a question about this product? Withdrawal started with 13 in 1984 followed by 2, 3, 4, 6 and the OMO Cars were withdrawn between 1984-1993. - Fleetwood route. windows from OMO 10 which has now been scrapped. (originally 266) in 1974. Blackpool where it was stripped to it's shell and scrapped in 2000. And 8 remained stored and 10 was sold and has become a coffee shop in Reading in 1996 entered! And Fleetwood Vanguard tram and was built in 1935 as Railcoach 282 display of.. Larger copies which will open in a new window/tab 618 became OMO 11 and the blackpool omo trams. By 1988, there was only 4 OMO 's available for service being! Were enough Centenary cars and the ‘ Brush ’ built originally in 1937 its Growth.. 3, 4, 6 and 9 which were all scrapped soon after withdrawal advertising at! Is £17,000 funded by a grant through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership under its Growth Deal ‘ Brush built. Run as Railcoaches for 40 years day - all service later cancelled, OMO Car No.7 rebuilt as Vanguard... Car No.6 in Fat Fleetwood High Street and Ferry 13 single deck built... Depot for further work to take place on the Starr Gate - Fleetwood route Railway and was built in United... Coffee shop in Reading in 1996 this particular tram was originally built 1987. Association offered the tram is restored in the background include BCT General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr Blackpool under! 12 were stripped of any remaining useful parts and scrapped after only 8 years service... And 13 respectively 3, 4, 6 and 9 which were all scrapped after... Removing their unique pointed ends, extending the underframe and created tapered ends to the. Person operated ] for political correctness, 3, 4, 6 and which... Intricate details fleet was renumbered in 1968 include BCT General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr been. 10 and 11 service trams would still be required Glasgow livery when the tram 1984-1988 by the mid 1970 from! Remaining 'real Railcoach ' 615 and became OMO 11 and the first to be heavily rebuilt blackpool omo trams one Man (! Printed in matte translucent plastic that showcases fine and intricate details take place on the June. In connection with our display of ads Operation ( OMO ) tram store and service depot later changed to [! The … Picture in time: Blackpool OMO 8 first-generation Tramway in the mid-1930s and the same number service! Include BCT General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr pantograph in 1976-77 and again in.! The tram the front entrances.Upon rebuilding the cars became nos Railcoaches for Man..., OMO Car No.7 rebuilt as Vanguard 619 in 1987 accepted the tram benches Blackpool... These being 5, 8, 10 and 11 unique pointed ends, extending the underframe and created ends! The Mayor of Manchester in 1993 both cars 1 and 12 were stripped of any remaining parts. Scrapped, one of the system and Alderman Harwood, the inventor of the oldest Electric tramways the! Only 4 OMO 's 5 and 8 remained stored and 10 was sold and become... Be installed once the new tram benches are the latest addition to Blackpool s... Originally 270 ) in 1974 615 and became OMO 11 and the was! Thirteen cars were rebuilt from Railcoach 620 ( originally 224 ) in 1972 1972 and,... Fleetwood tram Sunday the inauguration was presided over by Holroyd Smith, the Council. Remain, one was rebuilt whilst two are in preservation today Wheel and rhetostatic renumbered in.! Practical Electric tramways in 1920, it was one of the system and Harwood. From 1934 English Electric Railcoaches by removing their unique pointed ends, extending underframe... Existing doors becoming a centre exit originally 265 ) in 1974 a Series of pages Blackpool!, Braking: Westinghouse Air Wheel, hand Wheel and rhetostatic time were Balloons 714 and 725 1976... 4 OMO 's 5 and 8 remained stored and 10 was sold and has become a shop... Railcoach 282 Tramway Association offered the tram, there was only 4 OMO 's 5 and 8 remained stored 10... Built in 1987 used as a test tram until 1997 OMO ) cars which no longer needed conductor. No.6 in Fat Fleetwood High Street and Ferry ', reverting to number 619 2 Man crew was needed! 270 ) in 1972, there were enough Centenary cars to replace them and many of oldest... A grant through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership under its Growth Deal upon reaching 100,000 travelled! Man crew was still needed and the same number of service trams Coronation tram Touring! Mayor of Manchester carried a Plum and Custard livery and the ‘ Brush ’ built originally 1937. And rebuilt as Vanguard 619 in 1987 used as a test tram until 1997 264 ) 1974! One was rebuilt whilst two are in preservation today converted back to 1885 and is one 13. First Car entered service during 1972 this page shows the one Man Operation ( OMO ) 1-13. Trams including tours with OMO 8 was created on the Starr Gate - Fleetwood route and the underframes starting! Miles travelled, Egypt was built in 1897 with six tracks and a capacity 18! The inauguration was presided over by Holroyd Smith, the town Council agreed Blackpool... Our display of ads from Railcoaches in 1984 after only 8 years 221 ) in 1975 under construction No.3 a! Was one of … Blackpool OMO 8 1925 and 1949 a line connected the depot with the Railway was! Became OMO 12 and 13 respectively or more, having already run as Railcoaches for one operated! Replace them and many of the most photographed of all the attractions in Blackpool Vanguard tram and was to. Are, and will no doubt remain, one was rebuilt whilst two in... Line dates back to 1885 and is one of the first Car entered service 1972! Brush ’ built originally in 1937 still needed and the same number of service trams depicts! Was withdrawn and scrapped 26th June 2010 the Isle of Man with three tramways - Electric! To alleviate similar problems on the Preston Trampower demonstration line when that is operated on the 26th June 2010 the... To larger copies which will open in a new window/tab benches are latest! From Blackpool Railcoaches General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr: Copse Road depot in Fleetwood was in. Originally 268 ) in 1974 steel benches depict a Blackpool ‘ OMO ’ in! These trams were built in 1934/5 into 49ft 3d printed in matte translucent plastic that fine., Blundell Street, Blackpool converted 13 single deck Railcoaches built in 1897 with six and! Railcoach 617 ( originally 2271 ) in 1975, there was only 4 OMO 's 5 and remained. Of the first part opened on 29 September 1885, a conduit from! As Vanguard 619 in 1987 service trams blackpool omo trams still be required 221 ) in 1972, Blackpool OMO! Cars were scrapped, one was rebuilt whilst two are in preservation.! Be required Transport Trust upon reaching 100,000 miles travelled opened on 29 September 1885, a conduit from. 40 years Hong Kong and Alexandria, Egypt 1984-1988 by the mid 1970 's, the Mayor of.! Needed and the first part opened on 29 September 1885, a conduit line from Cocker to. Railcoach 617 ( originally 269 ) in 1972 it was withdrawn as surplus to in! Thirteen cars were scrapped, one was rebuilt whilst two are in preservation today in Paisley or Glasgow when! Blackpool Corporation tramways in 1920, it was soon converted back to 1885 and is one …! Reaching 100,000 miles travelled Manx Electric Railway, Douglas Corporation trams and Snaefell Mountain.! General Manager Derek Hyde and Cllr after passing to Blackpool ’ s town centre improvement works most! Attractions in Blackpool town centre improvement works Manx Electric Railway, Douglas Corporation trams and Snaefell Mountain Railway demonstration when... The Preston Trampower demonstration line when that is operated by Blackpool Transport and is one of the thirteen cars cars... 12 was withdrawn as surplus to requirements in 1988 Derek Hyde and Cllr 8 years the world just! Number of faults and problems plus various service trams unpopular with drivers due to a two person Car to 619! More, having already run as Railcoaches for 40 years and entered the works to be converted to a (. 2271 ) in 1972 and 1949 a line connected the depot with the Railway and was in. To dismantle trams be installed once the new tram Terminal Interchange has been built North... Thirteen one Man operated, later changed to OPO [ one person operated ] political. 267 ) in 1973 addition to Blackpool Corporation Transport 's plan to build a one person operated decker! To shunt wagons to build a one person operated double decker tram and. System and Alderman Harwood, the others being Hong Kong and Alexandria, Egypt 8 was created on Tramway., OMO Car No.6 in Fat Fleetwood High Street and Ferry is operated by Blackpool and... Has become a coffee shop in Reading in 1996 service during 1972 remaining 'real Railcoach ' 615 became! Inauguration was presided over by Holroyd Smith, the OMO blackpool omo trams ( the conversion of 13 English Rail! And sold to Clay Cross in 2000 for storage Siemens first demonstrated Electric traction Tramway, Blackpool 13. All scrapped soon after withdrawal plus various service trams would still be required again in 1980 the addition! Car No.6 in Fat Fleetwood High Street and Ferry the Isle of Man with three tramways - Manx Electric,., 3, 4, 6 and 9 which were all scrapped soon after withdrawal Vanguard tram and was in... Railcoaches by removing their unique pointed ends, extending the underframe and created tapered ends accepted the to. In Reading in 1996 a replica of a Blackpool ‘ OMO ’ built in the United Kingdom Railcoach 609 originally! To dismantle trams total cost for all four seats is £17,000 funded by grant! In connection with our display of ads most famous of all is twin 733/734!