The Way We Were
Blackpool, October 1963
‘The Vauxhalls sport the same black and white taxi livery. Obviously the firm’s proprietor was very loyal to Luton’ VAUX POP IN LOCAL TAXI TRADE
There’s a mystery to this photograph, and we’re going to mention it straight away because it’s so intriguing. Unsurprisingly for a historic shot of Blackpool, there’s a tram in view – a singledecker English Electric streamlined Railcoach from 1933/34. But we can’t see any trace of the tracks, which should run past the photographer.
The line along Dickson Road to Blackpool’s North Station was closed in 1963, but we can’t imagine the trackwork being taken up and the road re-asphalted so quickly. Particularly not with the wires left in place and a 30-yearold tram apparently marooned He joined CCW in 2000 and although now a freelancer, he’s always maintained his connection with the newspaper that started his career. in the middle of the road. It must just be an optical illusion… but a very confusing and convincing one nevertheless.
North Station is also no longer there. Well, no longer in Dickson Road. Recommended for closure in 1963’s Beeching Report, it survived at the cost of Blackpool Central station instead. But you’ll look in vain for the impressive 1898 red-brick construction here; the station was relocated a few hundred yards north east in 1974. Stand on this spot and all you’ll see is a branch of Wilko.
Thankfully, the turreted Station Buildings shopping parade is still there, as is the superb Art Deco Odeon cinema. It’s now a burlesque cabaret showbar, featuring Betty Legs Diamond and DJ Zoë. Heavens. Whatever would the passengers of the passing number 3A bus think if they could see 55 years into the future?
Like the 1949 Leyland Titan bus with Burlingham bodywork, most of the vehicles here are in commercial service. Taxis predominate, although we start with a rather work-weary green and black Austin A40 pick-up of 1947-1956 vintage. These stayed in production for four years after the saloons on which they were based were discontinued.
Off to its left and adding a dash of flash is a two-tone Vauxhall Cresta PADX, the ultimate version of Luton’s second generation sixcylinder flagship. Beyond it is an intriguing glimpse of an estate car, which looks like a Vauxhall Victor FB, judging by the swage line under the windows. And is that an Atkinson heavy goods truck next?
Also parked outside the station is a Ford Anglia 105E, before we’re back into Vauxhall territory with another PA, although this time (we think) in Velox SY taxi form. Fittingly enough, its predecessor, a Velox EIPV, is behind, sporting the same monochrome taxi livery. Obviously the firm’s proprietor was very loyal to Luton. A taxi from, presumably, another company less bothered by a
uniform livery and Griffin badging is passing by on the main drag. The red Ford is a Zephyr 4, which would have been pretty new, as the model was only launched in April 1962.
We’re not sure what the vehicle heading into the distance away from the tram is – it looks familiar, but we can’t quite place its low tail-lights/ high numberplate layout. There’s no mistaking the compact, squarecut shape of a Mini van turning into Walker Street further down, though.
Finally, over by the left-hand kerb is either an Austin 152 Omnivan or its badge-engineered Morris J2 equivalent. The dark paint and roller shutter blind rear suggests a security van – such a back-loading arrangement was available at extra cost to the usual conventional side-hinged single door.
Trams are to return to this part of Blackpool, with a new extension to the re-sited North Station due to open in April 2019. Its terminus will be on the site of the Wilko store – so what was railway from 1846 to 1974 will become railway once again, albeit in a slightly different form. We’ve no doubt that Betty Legs Diamond and Funny Girls Bar colleague DJ Zoë will be delighted at such news.