Sparrow's Park, Blackpool, 1956
Marton VAMBAC tram No10 passing Sparrow's Park as it climbs Church Street, heading towards central Blackpool and Talbot Square were it will terminate.
Built in 1939 as part of Walter Luff’s modernisation plan for Blackpool’s trams, the Marton VAMBACs were a small class of Blackpool trams that had started life as part open-top cars for use along the promenade. Numbered 10 to 21, they were originally named ‘Sun Saloons’, and were fitted with roll-up tarpaulin roofs, half-height saloon windows and featured wooden slatted seating.
With the outbreak of WW2 in September 1939, the Sun Saloons never got to fulfil their role as promenade cars. Instead, the war found them requisitioned to ferry troops from their barracks at Squires Gate to the Rifle Ranges that had been set up at Rossall. The soldiers christened the Sun Saloons 'Cattle trucks' due to the cars being uncomfortable and draughty. To improve the situation, the Sun Saloons were refurbished and fitted with proper roofs, full-sized drop-down windows and eventually, cushioned seating.
Following the end of the war, the Sun Saloons were transferred for use on the Marton route to replace the aging 'Standard' double-deck cars that worked it. The Marton route ran from Talbot Square to Blackpool’s South Pier, via Marton on the eastern side of the town.
In 1948, the tram track on the Marton route was re-laid, and the Sun Saloons refurbished. This included the installation of fluorescent lighting, then a very modern concept. They were also fitted with the then revolutionary ‘Variable Automatic Multi-notch Braking and Control’ electrical equipment, better known as VAMBAC. The VAMBAC control system allowed for smoother acceleration and braking, improving the ride. By 1952, the Sun Saloons and had become the mainstay of the Marton route and eventually became known as the Marton VAMBACs. All were housed and operated out of Marton Depot on Whitegate Drive.
The first VAMBAC was withdrawn in 1960, when car 10 was involved in an accident and scrapped as a consequence. The second VAMBAC withdrawn was car 21 in 1961, being used as a source of spare parts, while car 14 became a driver training car. By 1961, the Town Council had already decided to abandon its inland tram services, the first to go being the Lytham Road – Squires Gate route in 1961. The Marton Route was next for the chop, and was closed in October 1962. VAMBACs 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18 operated on the last day, and at the end of service all the VAMBACs were parked up at Marton Depot awaiting scrapping.
Only one VAMBAC car survives today, that being car 11, which was requested by enthusiasts for a tour of the remaining tramway in 1963, VAMBAC 11 was extracted from Marton Depot and transferred to Rigby Road for preparation. Following the tour, the Corporation was approached by enthusiasts wanting to preserve the tram for posterity. Today, VAMBAC No11 can be found at the East Anglia Transport Museum, where it still finds regular use.
Scanned from the original 35mm transparency on Kodachrome colour film, the photograph taken by the late J Copeland.
Source of background historical information courtesy of - blackpool-trams.yolasite.com
Sparrow's Park, Blackpool, 1956
Marton VAMBAC tram No10 passing Sparrow's Park as it climbs Church Street, heading towards central Blackpool and Talbot Square were it will terminate.
Built in 1939 as part of Walter Luff’s modernisation plan for Blackpool’s trams, the Marton VAMBACs were a small class of Blackpool trams that had started life as part open-top cars for use along the promenade. Numbered 10 to 21, they were originally named ‘Sun Saloons’, and were fitted with roll-up tarpaulin roofs, half-height saloon windows and featured wooden slatted seating.
With the outbreak of WW2 in September 1939, the Sun Saloons never got to fulfil their role as promenade cars. Instead, the war found them requisitioned to ferry troops from their barracks at Squires Gate to the Rifle Ranges that had been set up at Rossall. The soldiers christened the Sun Saloons 'Cattle trucks' due to the cars being uncomfortable and draughty. To improve the situation, the Sun Saloons were refurbished and fitted with proper roofs, full-sized drop-down windows and eventually, cushioned seating.
Following the end of the war, the Sun Saloons were transferred for use on the Marton route to replace the aging 'Standard' double-deck cars that worked it. The Marton route ran from Talbot Square to Blackpool’s South Pier, via Marton on the eastern side of the town.
In 1948, the tram track on the Marton route was re-laid, and the Sun Saloons refurbished. This included the installation of fluorescent lighting, then a very modern concept. They were also fitted with the then revolutionary ‘Variable Automatic Multi-notch Braking and Control’ electrical equipment, better known as VAMBAC. The VAMBAC control system allowed for smoother acceleration and braking, improving the ride. By 1952, the Sun Saloons and had become the mainstay of the Marton route and eventually became known as the Marton VAMBACs. All were housed and operated out of Marton Depot on Whitegate Drive.
The first VAMBAC was withdrawn in 1960, when car 10 was involved in an accident and scrapped as a consequence. The second VAMBAC withdrawn was car 21 in 1961, being used as a source of spare parts, while car 14 became a driver training car. By 1961, the Town Council had already decided to abandon its inland tram services, the first to go being the Lytham Road – Squires Gate route in 1961. The Marton Route was next for the chop, and was closed in October 1962. VAMBACs 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18 operated on the last day, and at the end of service all the VAMBACs were parked up at Marton Depot awaiting scrapping.
Only one VAMBAC car survives today, that being car 11, which was requested by enthusiasts for a tour of the remaining tramway in 1963, VAMBAC 11 was extracted from Marton Depot and transferred to Rigby Road for preparation. Following the tour, the Corporation was approached by enthusiasts wanting to preserve the tram for posterity. Today, VAMBAC No11 can be found at the East Anglia Transport Museum, where it still finds regular use.
Scanned from the original 35mm transparency on Kodachrome colour film, the photograph taken by the late J Copeland.
Source of background historical information courtesy of - blackpool-trams.yolasite.com