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Built in 1914, Manchester Corporation Tramways 765 (Link (Archive Link ) ), a single deck California car built in 1914 for routes with low bridges, is the only remaining tramcar from the corporation in regular operation.

On 4th of November 2014, as part of the celebration of its 100th anniversary year, 765 was moved from its normal home at the Heaton Park Tramway for a brief period of static display on a short length of temporary track outside the town hall in Albert Square close to where other Manchester trams would have originally run in their heyday.

Near the beginning of its life, 765 was used as a recruitment vehicle during the First World War. As a reminder of this important role the tram was bedecked with World War One regalia and sporting decorations typical of a 1914 recruiting car. Including a banner for the Manchester Pals*.

At the end of the day, the tram was transported back to Heaton Park ready to continue its active retirement on the park’s historic tramway.

*The pals battalions of World War I were specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising men who had enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and work colleagues ("pals"), rather than being arbitrarily allocated to battalions (more at Link Wikipedia).