THE tram which killed villain Alan Bradley in a Coronation Street episode watched by 27million people has been saved from the scrapheap.
Tram 710 has finally returned home to Blackpool, Lancs, following a fundraising mission to lovingly restore it.
It will now be turned into an exhibit 34 years after it appeared on the soap.
The 1989 episode saw Mark Eden’s character Bradley chase wife Rita Fairclough – played by Barbara Knox – into the tram’s path.
It was in service for almost 80 years before being kept on land at Fleetwood Docks, Lancs.
But the owners, Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, were being forced to get rid of the tram when plans to open a tourist attraction showcasing the region’s transport heritage were discontinued.
Fearing it would be turned into scrap, over £2,500 worth of donations flooded in from the public, including former Corrie actor Michael Roberts.
It has now finally been transported back to Blackpool where it will be on display at the report’s transport museum Tramtown.
A spokesman said: “A huge moment for Tramtown and Blackpool as 710 the Coronation Street Tram returned home.
“Thank you so much for your generous donations to help us bring her back.
“It’s a significant moment as it confirms one of our key roles to preserve culturally significant trams and artefacts that are key parts of Blackpool’s history.
“We are planning an official unveiling and in time Tramtown Volunteers will undertake some cosmetic restoration work on her.”
The double-decker, an English Electric Balloon type, was built in Preston, Lancs, in 1934 for the Blackpool tramway.
Leanne Finch, whose dad drove the tram that killed Bradley, posted on Facebook: “So happy that it’s been saved.”
