Lancastrian Transport Trust
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Cornonation 304 Restoration and Operation
12th June 2004
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Coronation 304 was built in 1952 and withdrawn in 1970 - the end of VAMBAC car operation in Blackpool. Sister cars with retrofitted EE controllers survived until 1975, with 660 kept for occasional use.

304 was bought by the Coronation Tramcar Preservation Society in 1975 moving to the TMS Clay Cross store. It later passed to Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society and was kept at Burtonwood. MTPS sold it to the Lancastrian Transport Group (now LTT) in 1984 and it moved to St. Helens Transport Museum in 1986.

Restoration took place through the 1990s with much work on the underframe completed and the wiring started. In 2002 it was selected for the Channel 4 'Salvage Squad' programme and moved back to Blackpool for restoration 50 years to the week since it first arrived. Resotration was led by Trust Volunteers with specialist work such as the VAMBAC and Motor overhauls contracted out. Blackpool Transport repainted the car in its original livery.

The move from St. Helens and progress on the restoration is shown here followed by shots of 304 in use including:

Test run 18 April 2004
Tram Sunday 2004
Tour on 21 November 2004 tour
FTS Tour 1 May 2005

304_Fwd_270609.jpg
2009-06-27 19:55:00
304 returns to depot after a tour by TLRS 20 May 2007
304 returns to depot after a tour by TLRS 20 May 2007
304_HoptonRd_200507_PT.jpg
2007-05-20 14:37:14
The second tour reached Starr Gate at dusk
The second tour reached Starr Gate at dusk
304_StarrGate_201105_PT.jpg
2005-11-20 16:00:00
304 crosses Stanley Road in Fleetwood on the November 2005 tour
304 crosses Stanley Road in Fleetwood on the November 2005 tour
304_StanleyRoad_201105_PT.jpg
2005-11-20 13:00:00
Soutbound at Cabin
Soutbound at Cabin
Fts_05.jpg
2005-05-01 11:07:00
304 and 660 side by side at Fleetwood
304 and 660 side by side at Fleetwood
Fts_04.jpg
2005-05-01 11:06:00
304 and 660 unload at Bold Street Fleetwood
304 and 660 unload at Bold Street Fleetwood
Fts_03.jpg
2005-05-01 11:03:00
304 poses alongside the mirrorball at Harrowside
304 poses alongside the mirrorball at Harrowside
Fts_02.jpg
2005-05-01 11:02:00
304 waits to follow sister 660 out of depot at the start of the FTS Tour
304 waits to follow sister 660 out of depot at the start of the FTS Tour
Fts_01.jpg
2005-05-01 11:00:00
November 2004 tour. 304 posed by
November 2004 tour. 304 posed by "South Beach" with a short section of the Illuminations switched on
304_StarHotel_211104.jpg
2004-11-21 16:00:00
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
304_07.jpg
2004-11-21 10:07:00
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
304_06.jpg
2004-11-21 10:06:00
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
Outside the Star with the Illuminations on
304_05.jpg
2004-11-21 10:05:00
Broadwater, Fleetwood bound
Broadwater, Fleetwood bound
304_04.jpg
2004-11-21 10:04:00
Harrowside - in the rain!
Harrowside - in the rain!
304_03.jpg
2004-11-21 10:02:00
Pleasure Beach with RM 521
Pleasure Beach with RM 521
304_02.jpg
2004-11-21 10:01:00
Bold Street, Fleetwood
Bold Street, Fleetwood
304_01.jpg
2004-11-21 10:00:00
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304_TramSunday04_Ferry_3.jpg
2004-07-18 12:00:00
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304_TramSunday04_Ferry_2.jpg
2004-07-18 11:00:00
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304 at Fleetwood on Tram Sunday
304_TramSunday04_Ferry_1.jpg
2004-07-18 10:00:00
Before the crowds arrive, Lord Street early Tram Sunday morning
Before the crowds arrive, Lord Street early Tram Sunday morning
304_LordSt_JM.jpg
2004-07-18 08:00:00
The journey to Tram Sunday - awaiting the green light at Anchorsholme
The journey to Tram Sunday - awaiting the green light at Anchorsholme
304_Anchorsholme_JM.jpg
2004-07-18 07:30:00
On the way to Tram Sunday - the Metropole behind
On the way to Tram Sunday - the Metropole behind
304_CockerSt_JM.jpg
2004-07-18 07:15:00
Test run at Fleetwood
Test run at Fleetwood
304_Fleetwood_180404.jpg
2004-04-18 08:10:00
 
Related Links: [ Blackpool Trams.info | Blackpool Tramcar Preservation Fund | Coronation 304's page ]
 
Blackpooltrams.info
News, features and photos for everyone interested in Blackpool trams and the tramway