Lancastrian Transport Trust News

HLF to visit Thornton Gate

2012-01-10T00:09:00.006Z

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is to visit Blackpool and the proposed Thornton Gate site in Wyre Borough following a pre-application to the HLF, submitted in December 2011. This is a very positive step forward and gives the LTT the opportunity to present in more detail the plans for a Transport Heritage Centre at Thornton Gate and for HLF officers to outline their criteria for the next stages of the application process. The news follows an offer of lease from the site's owners Blackpool Borough Council.
Since 1994, the HLF have awarded £528million to more than 3,000 projects across the North West, sustaining and transforming the region's heritage.

New Year & New Website

2012-01-01T18:57:00.002Z

Firstly, all the very best for 2012 to all our members and supporters. Let's hope it is a good one - it will certainly be a challenging one for the LTT with our development plans for the Thornton Gate site.
A new year also brings a new website. After around 7 years, I thought it was time to completely refresh the LTT website and rethink the content and structure. Over the Xmas period, thanks to the award winning and highly functional 1&1 web host, this was speedily achieved and the result looks much better. I hope you will enjoy it!
Philip Higgs - Trustee

Council agrees "Offer of Lease" for Thornton Gate

2011-12-24T18:39:00.003Z

Blackpool Council's Asset Management Group has approved to lease the site at Thornton Gate to the LTT for the development of a Transport Heritage facility. This is fantastic news which now allows us to develop our plans for the site and apply for appropriate funding. As an early Christmas present, the Council forwarded the LTT an "Offer of Lease" on 23rd December.
In advance of this positive news, we commissioned architects to produce 3D drawings of what the site could look like, whilst construction company Parkinsons of Blackpool has offered to assist the LTT with cost projections.
The "Offer of Lease" recognises that the tramway contractors Bam Nuttall are likely to occupy the site until Easter 2012 and that the creation of a permanent home for the LTT tram collection is expected to take a further 12-18 months.

Gazette reports on pivotal Council meeting

2011-11-25T19:05:00.001Z

The LTT's trams will remain in their Rigby Road depot home for another 12 months while an alternative destination is found for them. Blackpool Transport had told Lancastrian Transport Trust to move 13 of its trams out of the depot by the end of the month or face seeing them scrapped.
Coun Tony Williams, deputy leader of the Conservative group, proposed the motion to stop the trams from being sold off. He had called on the council to ask the chief executive to write to Trevor Roberts, the managing director of Blackpool Transport, “to request that Lancashire Transport Trust continue to enjoy a grace and favour rent period of a further 12 months up to December 1 2012”.
“I’m asking you to support the heritage of Blackpool, because the threat of scrapping trams is unforgivable.
Conservative leader Coun Peter Evans added: “It would be fantastic if we could have something similar to York’s railway museum. “It would be nice if we could support this.”
Instead, the motion was amended, but the trams will remain in the depot.
Both sides of the council spoke passionately about the importance of the trams and what they mean to the town.
Plans for a museum in Cleveleys seem to be the most likely destination for the vehicles.
Councillors voted in favour of giving the trust until the end of the calendar year to “come up with a credible plan” and show the trams can be moved into a new site.
However, Coun Simon Blackburn, leader of the council, said Blackpool Transport would allow the trams to remain in the depot for another 12 months. He said: “I believe we are all heading in the same direction. The trams are pivotal to Blackpool’s history and Blackpool’s future."
“Providing Lancastrian Transport Trust are able to come forward with funding and are able to make the contribution for storage, Blackpool Transport Services will allow them to store their whole fleet, not indefinitely, but for 12 months.”

Trams and politics don't mix!

2011-11-24T20:05:00.004Z

At the full meeting of the Council on 23rd November, elected members voted to accept a revised motion that commits Blackpool Transport "to an extension of the agreement to sell and store surplus trams to the LTT if they can come up with a credible plan, before the end of the calendar year". Furthermore "the Chief Executive to write to the Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services to confirm that negotiations with the LTT will continue".

The sting-in-the-tail however, was that the revised motion proposed by the Labour administration (proposed by Council Leader Simon Blackburn) failed to overturn Blackpool Transport's threat to charge £100 per tram, per week for storage.

Whilst wishing to stay out of the politics, the LTT would like to place on record our thanks to Councillor Tony Williams, Deputy Leader of the Conservative group, for proposing his original motion.

Today, LTT officers met with Wyre Borough Council planning team for informal discussions on the Thornton Gate plan - and received an excellent response and interest in the proposals presented.

Full Council to vote on tram storage issue

2011-11-22T18:04:00.002Z

In a surprise move, a motion has been put for consideration at the full Executive Meeting of Blackpool Council on Wednesday 23 November to secure a stay of tenure for the LTT tramcar collection at the Council-owned Rigby Road depot site.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Tony Williams and supported by other councillors across the political spectrum, will be voted on by all Councillors in attendence at the meeting. The motion recognises the plans that the LTT has to develop a visitor attraction at the former tram depot sidings at Thornton Gate - reawakening a proposal originally drafted back in 2001.

The motion proposes that "the Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services to request that the LTT continue to enjoy a grace and favour rent period of a further twelve months up to the 1st December 2012, when their new building at Thornton Gate will be completed".

10 trams are affected by the threat of eviction - 304, 605, 624, 632, 671, 676/686, 704, 715 & 732 with Standard Car 143 still expected to be incorporated within the retained BTS operational fleet - once they complete their commitment to the lottery supported project.

Thornton Gate site selected as development option

2011-11-20T13:37:00.003Z

Following talks with Blackpool Council and detailed discussions with the Blackpool Civic Trust and key Blackpool Councillors, the LTT has started negotiations on the terms of lease for the former tram sidings at Thornton Gate in Cleveleys.

The plan would involve the creation of a Transport Heritage centre on the site, which is currently being used as a construction compound for the tramway upgrade. However, the site will be vacated by Easter 2012 and the LTT has already started costing the options for erecting buildings on the site to store its vintage tram collection. Planning meetings are also advancing with a view to submitting a planning application early in 2012.

It is hoped that the plans which we feel will be "credible, achievable and deliverable" will be sufficient to secure continued accommodation of our vintage trams at the Council-owned tram depot at Rigby Road, until the site is ready to receive vehicles. The LTT is particularly pleased with the response from Blackpool Councillors and MPs across the political spectrum, and we will be keeping members fully informed of developments

We have drafted plans for a Transport Museum on the Thornton Gate site before - back in 2001, but these were rejected at the time because of possible use of the site for either a tram depot or turning circle as part of the tramway upgrade. Thankfully, Blackpool Council now accept that the site is redundant and offers a permanent home to the LTT tramway collection. We expect to have an offer of lease from Blackpool Council within the next two weeks.

632 and 715 star in last weekend of traditional trams

2011-11-06T20:53:00.000Z

LTT's End of Season tour on Saturday 5 November saw Balloon 715 and Standard 147 make several trips between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham. A late flurry saw a sell out load start out from North Pier at 1400 and the cars returned to depot just after 2200. 715 was also hired (with Twin Car 675/85) by the Fylde Tramway Society on Sunday 6th.

Brush 632 was allocated to route 6 which is scheduled to work to Cabin and Pleasure Beach, 8 trips to North Pier and a final Cabin, Pleasure Beach then Foxhall working. Sunday saw it cover one Little Bispham working and its evening Cabin run became Bispham and in instead. 632 has seen extensive service use in September and October while 715 has seen use on Tram Driver Experience sessions, specials and was used for testing at Starr Gate on 2 November.

Blackpool’s Tramway Heritage at Risk

2011-10-24T14:12:00.003+01:00

The largest collection of vintage trams outside of the National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire is at risk – and it is based here in Blackpool.

Ever since 1984, the Lancastrian Transport Trust has been collecting significant examples of Blackpool’s unique transport heritage and further examples have been added more recently as the tram fleet is thinned out ready for the new Supertrams to take over. In fairness Blackpool Transport, prompted by the Council to clear redundant trams from the Rigby Road depot, gave us notice 18-months ago that we would need to remove the vehicles. We have found homes for a couple of them in museums around the country – but this means that our priceless collection is being dispersed. We began talks with Council officers as soon as Blackpool Transport gave notice but now, with less than four weeks to go the collection risks being homeless. For the past 18-months we were just passed around from one officer to another.

The Trust has not been short of ideas. Dating back to 2002, the organisation has been submitting plans to Blackpool Council for a tramway visitor centre with proposals based at Starr Gate, Blundell Street and Thornton Gate, but none of them have been taken forward by the Council. We are also concerned at the official information about the tram fleet being retained on the tramway – 24 trams are being kept but 10 of these are substantially rebuilt double deck trams, plastered in advertising and rebuilt out of all recognition of their iconic heritage status, some are illuminated trams and very few represent the genuine article – unlike our own Blackpool collection.

Blackpool Council has, this week, offered to assist with locating an alternative site but the common sense, no cost answer of keeping them in the part of the tram depot that will soon become empty has already been rejected by Blackpool Transport and the Council.

History has a habit of repeating itself. Back in the 1960s when the last major tramway upheaval took place, many tramcar types either disappeared or were sent off to museums around the country, depriving Blackpool of a significant chunk of its tramway history. As the country’s first electric tramway, surely our unique collection deserves to be retained intact and in Blackpool?

For more information, visit www.ltt.org.uk or contact Paul Turner by email at paul@ltt.org.uk

Notes
Is the LTT Collection of significance?

Yes. It is the second largest collection of preserved heritage tramcars in the UK after the National Tramway Museum.

Isn't Blackpool Keeping 30 Heritage Trams?

The retained Blackpool Trams comprise:

10 Double Deck cars heavily rebuilt with modernised interiors and widened centre platforms. They are similar in appearance inside to buses from the early 2000s and even the one example which retained heritage features has lost many of them in the last year.
3 Illuminated Feature Cars - two of which were rebuilt from older cars in 2001 and 2004 and have no heritage feel or credentials
1 Works car
5 reserve cars - two open boats, two modernised double deckers and one modernised single decker
Five Vintage Cars - Standard 147, Boat 600, Coronation 660 open top Balloon 706 and Balloon 717
In addition the National Tramway Museums Fleetwood car 40 is retained on loan.

There are therefore six trams, plus the Western Train that have relevant tramway heritage, although these examples have generally been modified for regular operation on the tramway. The LTT has preserved tramcar types not being retained by Blackpool Transport, that will otherwise be lost – but we also have examples in more original condition.

Can ‘Museum’ Trams operate on the refurbished tramway?

Yes. The operation of the LTT’s Railcoach 632 and Balloon car 715 during 2011 has proven that these cars can work with the increased voltage - and our other cars will likewise. Vehicles would need to be fitted with transponders and minor modifications to lights may be required too. Similar modifications will be required to the retained cars in the Blackpool fleet - and the NTM's Fleetwood Box 40 - so this is not an issue.

Is there a commercial case for Heritage Tram Operation?

Yes, but such an operation needs to generate new revenue and not simply abstract passengers from the main tram service. We believe there is a viable demand for tourism related travel products such as sightseeing Tourist Trams, Wedding Guest transport to the new Wedding Chapel, themed Illuminations Tours, for example. These require above average management time to capture the business and market the products which does not fit with the business model of conventional public transport operators such as Blackpool Transport. Similar successful examples across Europe are generally managed independently.

Is there a Precedent for Museum and Tourist Car Operation on a modern tramway

Yes, many examples occur across Europe including regular operations in Brussels, Vienna, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lisbon, Zurich and others. There are also examples of museum facilities sharing depot accommodation with the tramway operator, with the best known examples being in Brussels and Lisbon.

Has the LTT presented its ideas?

Yes, we first submitted ideas to Blackpool Council back in 2002 for a Visitor Centre on the former Blundell Street depot site to be incorporated within the regeneration proposals. More recently, back in December 2010, we drafted a report to Blackpool Transport proposing partnership working to retain vintage tram operation on the upgraded tramway. The Blackpool Tramway is one of the resort’s key stories and we believe that the opportunity exists to develop a great “Blackpool Tramway Experience” visitor attraction.

End of Season Tram Tour Saturday 5 November

2011-10-10T22:55:00.000+01:00

Its now less than four weeks to our end of season tram tour. Our Balloon 715 will team up with Standard 147 and run between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham. We hope to do a few short workings as well. Start time is 14:00 at North Pier.

If you would like to join the tour please either book on line or by post - details http://www.ltt.org.uk/ltttours.html

LTT Open Day Sunday 11 September

2011-09-08T10:13:00.000+01:00

LTT's Depot at Brinwell Road is open for viewing on the afternoon of Sunday 11 September between 1200 and 1600. Its part of Heritage Open Days with a packed programme from Thursday to Sunday - see Blackpool Civic Trust page for details.

LTTs contribution is its open day plus a free vintage bus service on Sunday linking several of the other open day sites including St Stephens Church, Little Marton Mill, the Shrine of Our Lady or Lourdes and the Masonic Lodge.

As a result our bus timetable is different from regular open days and our first bus will leave Blackpool Town Hall (Market Street) at 1140 and then every 30 minutes until 1540 and then 1610 and 1630 back to LTT Depot only.

We anticipate operating Blackpool PD3 529 and Lytham PD1 19 during the day with 529 operating the first journey.

703 tested at Beamish

2011-08-15T20:58:00.001+01:00

703 has become the first Balloon to operate in preservation away from Blackpool. This afternoon it moved under power at the tram depot following the fitting of Coronations 663's trolley pole with a swivel head to cope with the overhead alignment at the museum. Further attention over the pit was sufficient to permit a first test run after hours this evening and 703 has passed various tests including starting on the 1 in 16 Pockerley Bank.

More pictures and a video on http://beamishtransport.blogspot.com/

Crowds Flock to Totally Transport

2011-06-27T22:07:00.000+01:00

Sunday was the seventh annual totally Transport event on New South Promenade and the event due in the crowds during the day. Around 370 vehicles took part - only slightly down on last year despite the huge fuel prices increase that hard pressed owners have to absorb.

Back to its established site from Star Hotel down the Promenade to just north of Starr Gate the Classic Cars and Buses organised by LTT were joined by no less than 204 classic minis at the end of the Blackpool Mini Run.
Seafront 12 was extended to the event and featured Lytham 19, Blackpool 529, Open Top Bristol VR WTG360T and visiting Kelvin Scottish Routemaster 1929, restored by Busworks in 2010. Record passenger numbers saw some heavy loadings.

Entertainment and trade stalls on Solaris field; model trams in the Solaris centre and the operation of vintage trams by Blackpool Transport completed the line up - albeit the latter were somewhat divorced from the event as the tramway through the event site remains closed.

Thanks to those who took part as exhibitors or volunteers and particular thanks to those who visited.

715 tours for shareholders

2011-06-25T15:31:00.003+01:00

Balloon 715 joined the LTT's other operational 1970s liveried Brush Railcoach 632 on a tram tour prior to the annual Totally Transport event on Saturday 25 June. 715 was preserved thanks to the contribution of several shareholders and, now complete with correct fleet numbers and crests, the car is looking super.

Balloon 703 aka Sunderland 101

2011-06-24T21:00:00.001+01:00

Commissioning work on Balloon 703 at Beamish took a back seat while their team completed the overhaul of Newcastle 114. With this now back in service, 703 - or Sunderland 101 as it is now known - is back under preparation and this latest update on the Beamish blog shows the car lit up while work continues on mounting the trolley. Hopefully 101 will be ready for the Power from the Past Event between 1st and 4th September.

715 back in service

2011-06-04T12:31:00.001+01:00

LTT's Balloon 715 has returned to use this morning leaving Depot at 1120 for Cabin on specials. The car emerged from the paint shop on Friday and is now resplendent in green and cream for the first time since 2005. 715 was the last Balloon to receive the 1990s livery in 2001 and last carried the 1970s livery in 1986 after a repaint in August 1981.

Balloon 715 to paint shop

2011-05-03T21:27:00.003+01:00

Our preserved Balloon car 715 was admitted to the paint shop today where it will receive late 1970s style green & cream livery, matching our preserved Brush Railcoach 632. It is planned to hire 715 & 632 for a 1970s themed tour on Saturday 25th June - the day prior to the Trust's "Totally Transport" event.

LTT trams 632 & 715 in action

2011-05-02T12:46:00.003+01:00

Preserved LTT trams 632 and 715 are currently enjoying a return to use on the tramway, in what could be their last year of regular operation. Both trams are fitted with transponder equipment that allows them to communicate with the traffic light control systems being installed along the upgraded tramway - and in 2010 confined other trams to the Pleasure Beach to Bispham section only.

715 was used regularly over the Easter period on the restricted Pleasure Beach to North Pier service and 632 returned to traffic on 29th April - the royal wedding day.

Standard 143 update

2011-05-02T12:45:00.004+01:00

It has been a long 8-months with seemingly no visible progress on Standard 143. However, behind the scenes has not been inactive. Work on preparing the double deck Balloon cars with widened doorways for the post-2012 tramway has occupied the workshops over the winter months and there is a growing uncertainty over the role of the 'vintage' trams on the upgraded tramway. Both of these issues have resulted in Blackpool Transport parking up 143 over the winter months.

However, a kit of body parts required to complete the bodywork restoration of 143 now exists and awaits assembly. For example, the open balcony stanchions and panelling, the balcony staircase panelling, staircase grab rails and balcony seat brackets and the end destination boxes.
All of these are ready to be delivered to Rigby Road depot for fitting to 143.

We are currently discussing with Blackpool Transport an arrangement whereby the LTT would contract BTS to do the work over the summer months.

LTT Events 2011

2011-02-15T11:24:00.001Z

LTT has arranged two depot open days for 2011. The first will take place on Sunday 10 April and the second on Sunday 11 September. The Depot, at Brinwell Road, Blackpool (FY4 4QU) will be open from 1200 to 1600 with £1 admission cost. A free vintage bus service will run from Blackpool Town Hall with the first bus at 1200 and then every 20 minutes to 1600.

Also our flagship event, Totally Transport will take place on Sunday 26th June - details are here http://www.totallytransport.info/

For more information please contact paul@ltt.org.uk

Work starts on Atlantean 362

2011-02-01T21:20:00.002Z

After some delay due to the focus on tramcar restoration projects during 2010, work has started on the lower repanel of Blackpool Atlantean 362. Withdrawn from service back in October 2006, 362 is to be repainted in the early 1990s green and cream livery style, with matt black window surrounds. The framework on 362 is in reasonably good condition, but there is some corroded sections to repair and horizontal timberwork for the decorative mouldings.

Vote OMO8 for Tram of the Year 2011

2011-01-01T21:08:00.003Z

OMO tram 8 has been nominated for Tram of the Year 2010 by readers of the British Trams Online website, competing with Blackpool 'Marton Box' 31 and Liverpool 762.

After 18 years out of action since withdrawal in May 1992 and then against all the odds operating again in 2010, OMO 8 certainly deserves your support. Winning would allow the LTT other publicity opportunities in Blackpool to showcase our work and your vote is critical.

Go to http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/ to cast your vote.

Balloon 704 joins LTT collection

2011-01-01T21:02:00.002Z

Effective from 1st Jan 2011, Balloon car 704 has joined the LTT collection. Earlier in 2010, car 708 had been acquired but talks soon began with the Heaton Park Tramway who had acquired 704 either for spares or a future restoration project. An LTT member offered to donate funds to facilitate an exchange of trams between the two organisations, with 704 considered for restoration by the LTT.

704 has been out of passenger service since 2003 and has been partially stripped internally, with many opening window units missing. It was withdrawn because of serious water ingress from the roof and, once stripped down, serious corrosion of the steel framed roof cove framing was discovered. Despite this, the structure of the tram is sound and many of the cannibalised parts are replaceable.

OMO 8 on first enthusiasts' tour

2010-11-08T18:47:00.004Z

OMO8 carried standing passengers again on its first enthusiasts' tour after returning to the tramway in September. On Saturday 6th November, OMO 8 operated a series of trips between Pleasure Beach and Bispham with one of the LTT's other popular preserved trams, Coronation Car 304.

8 performed faultlessly and rode exceptionally well - though don't forget how much of the tramway has been completely relaid since 8's last regular use back in 1992. Admittedly, there are still areas of 8 that need tidying up and paintwork attention, but the opportunity to take a ride on one of these cars for the first time in over 17 years was well appreciated. Thanks again to Blackpool Transport and the engineers who put the finishing touches to OMO 8 that made this possible.

Over this last weekend of the illuminations, LTT trams 8, 304, 632 and 715 all operated - with car 715 hired for shareholders of this particular restoration project.

Out and about with OMO8

2010-11-05T18:20:00.002Z

OMO 8 carried its first fee paying passengers on the night of Thursday 4th November, for invited guests that had contributed to the restoration project or helped out the LTT during the course of the year. 8 operated a number of journeys through the illuminations and allowed us to get plenty of atmospheric photos in the winter drizzle.

Depot Open Day 31 October

2010-10-27T14:12:00.000+01:00

Sunday 31 October is the your last chance this year to see behind the scenes at the LTT Depot. The depot is open from 1200 to 1600 with a range of vehicles on display and trade stalls from LTT and Ribble Enthusiast Club - admission is just £1. Further vehicles will be on display outside and a free bus service will run to/from Blackpool Town Hall departing from there at 1200 and every 20 minutes to 1600.

See LTT Depot Location for directions.

OMO8 on Driver Training

2010-10-16T09:42:00.004+01:00

OMO 8 was released for initial driver training on Wednesday 13 October and operated between Pleasure Beach and Bispham. There are still a few tasks to complete on OMO8 before passenger carrying is sanctioned, but it is planned to hold an enthusiasts' tour with 8 on Saturday 6th November.

Five years ago...

2010-09-30T19:19:00.004+01:00

Five years ago, this is the sorry state that OMO car 8 had deteriorated to after thirteen years in store at the back of the tram depot. It's platform doors had been stripped off, all glazing had been cannibalised, seats were missing and all light bulb units, plus motors and compressor. We never imagined then that five years later that it would capture the limelight in the 125th anniversary procession.

Cinderella goes to the ball!

2010-09-29T18:51:00.005+01:00

All eyes were on OMO tram No.8 for the 125th anniversary tramcar procession this afternoon, Wednesday 29th September. After remaining behind closed doors during the earlier anniversary tours and the Depot open day, Blackpool Transport staff worked hard to ensure that this tramway cinderella was able to star in the procession. Given that the creation of the OMO cars in 1970s secured the tramway's future, it was rightly the star of the show!

8 operated Depot - Foxhall - Pleasure Beach - Bispham - Depot, driven by a member of the workshop staff. The tram has not been signed off for passenger carrying and there remains issues to be resolved before this is possible.

It was only sixteen days previously that 8 returned to Rigby Road depot. Motors and a compressor were quickly refitted but electrical work was delayed due to other commitments, particularly commissioning refurbished Open Boat car 600 and on-going problems with Fleetwood 'Crossbench' car 2. Work re-commenced on OMO 8 after the depot open day and a morning test run took place prior to the 125th anniversary procession.

May 1992 was the last time 8 had ventured onto the Promenade - over 18 years ago. It was repanelled and painted in autumn 2005 before transfer to the LTT's Brinwell Road depot. A small number of volunteers have put the effort in to put 8's interior back together this year and seeing 8 turn under its own power once more after all these years certainly makes this effort worthwhile! Thanks to Blackpool Transport staff for the finishing touches that made this possible.

LTT displays at BTS Depot Open Day

2010-09-28T10:54:00.003+01:00

Blackpool Transport held an open day on Sunday 26 September as part of the tramway 125th anniversary celebrations. LTT trams 143 and 304 were on display, whilst OMO car 8 was in the electrical compound for continued preparation work.

Buses from the LTT collection were also displayed in the depot yard, with Leyland PD3 529, AEC Swift 570, Routemaster 521 and City Pacer 575 joined by PD3s 390 and 501 and various other preserved vehicles. It was the first public outing for the AEC Swift and City Pacer for several years and it is hoped to prepare both buses for increased use in 2011. Routemaster 521 has also been returned to use, following its successful MoT Class VI pass, having been off the road since October 2008.

Ghosts from the past...

2010-09-19T14:36:00.003+01:00

One of the outcomes of the recent extraction of OMO car 8 was the need to shunt buses around the depot to access car 8. One bus which was able to see daylight once again was Blackpool centre-loader 246 seen here getting wet in the depot yard. Another bus extracted was Lytham Leyland Lion 34 and it is hoped to get this bus roadworthy again for 2011.

Balloon 703 leaves for Beamish

2010-09-14T22:29:00.004+01:00

Next job for Scotts Heavy Haulage was moving preserved Balloon car 703 to its new home at the North of England Open-Air Museum in Beamish, County Durham disguised as Sunderland tram 101. In return, Blackpool 'Rebuilt Marton Box' car 31 will travel south to join in the 125th anniversary events.

...and Brush Car 622 is return load

2010-09-14T12:47:00.003+01:00

The return load from Rigby Road depot was Brush car 622 which was acquired by the LTT for spares or possible future use - it is not yet considered to be 'preserved'. It has received the trucks (partly worn) that were under car 632 (restored to 1970s green & cream with advert boxes sponsored by Trams Magazine and the Tram Shop), it's motors have been removed for use in OMO car 8 and it's compressor used for car 143!

622's claim to fame is the attractive Blackpool Zoo Park advert livery it carried between 1975 and 1982 - although the tram didn't operate from November 1980 until Easter 1983 after it received accident damage.

OMO8 arrives back home

2010-09-14T12:36:00.002+01:00

OMO car 8 left the LTT's Brinwell Road premises on 13 September for transfer back to Blackpool Transport's Rigby Road depot. The tram has been re-assembled by LTT volunteers including refitting seats, repainting the interior and cabs, replacing interior lighting and refitting platform doors.

Statement from LTT on Standard 143

2010-09-04T01:04:00.001+01:00

Standard Car 143 touched down back on Blackpool rails on Thursday 19th August and represented a significant milestone in a restoration project that started back in November 2005 and has cost in excess of £80,000. In addition, Blackpool Transport (BTS) has spent around £20,000 overhauling the trucks and motors for the tram and the body and trucks were finally re-united the day before its delivery to Rigby Road tram depot.

When 143 was delivered to BTS there were still some outstanding bodywork jobs to be undertaken and it was understood that these would be undertaken on BTS premises. BTS also made a full assessment of the mechanical and electrical work to be completed by them and the ability to slot this into their work programme at the busiest time of the year. Added into the mix of issues to be resolved is a need to formalise a long term operating agreement between the Lancastrian Transport Trust and BTS that justifies BTS' expenditure and use of the LTT's £80,000 asset.

Since the original understanding between the LTT and BTS agreed back in 2005, BTS has a new Managing Director and Finance Director and a meeting with them has been scheduled to formalise a long term operating and financing agreement. This needs to be agreed and drafted in the context of 143 having a future role in a retained heritage fleet as part of the multi-million pound tramway upgrade.

Unfortunately, no work has proceeded on Standard 143 in the interim.

Standard 143 Back on the Rails

2010-08-19T15:51:00.005+01:00

Standard car 143 returned to Rigby Road on 18th August after a seven year absence during which it has received a thorough restoration to original 1924 condition by its owners, the Lancastrian Transport Trust, at their Brinwell Road depot in Blackpool. The restoration of 143, the surviving parts of which where in a very poor condition when preserved by the LTT in 2002, has involved the fabrication of a brand new underframe and the construction of a completely new top deck. The LTT have spent upwards of £80k restoring 143 to its original un-vestibuled condition and with longitudinal bench seating on both sides of the lower deck - a condition not represented by any of the other preserved Blackpool Standard cars.

The move of 143 from the LTTs Brinwell Road premises to Blackpool Transport's Rigby Road depot was not without its complications, the biggest of which was manourvering 143 from its position in the corner of the depot to a position in line with the main doorway of the building. The trucks, overhauled by Blackpool Transport, were collected from the Fitting Shop and brought to Brinwell Road, where the car body was raised to allow the bogies to be rolled beneath. Once on its trucks it was winched aboard the the Scotts low loader, and then moved via Brinwell Road, Cornford Road, Clifton Road, Preston New Road, Oxford Square, Park Road, Bloomfield Road and Lytham Road to Blackpools tram depot, where it was unloaded the following morning.

The level of restoration undertaken by the LTT can be seen on the LTT fotopic site and on 143's blog

Restoration starts on Balloon 715

2010-08-15T12:08:00.003+01:00

Work started on Balloon Car 715's restoration to 1980s condition and return to green & cream livery style on 11 August. 715 has been transferred to the fitting shop at Blackpool Transport, and following this panelling repairs will be undertaken followed by a full repaint.

It is expected that the tram will be complete for early September, allowing it to operate on busy illumination weekends. With only 8 operational Balloon cars in the fleet (706, 707, 709, 711, 717, 719, 723 and 724), Blackpool Transport are considering reactivating 715 for service use in addition to cars 721 and 726, previously considered withdrawn. Cars 700, 713 and 718 are out of service awaiting new centre doors to suit the 2.65m width tramway platforms.

Boat car for Wirral Waters?

2010-08-09T20:09:00.002+01:00

The LTT has begun discussions with Merseytravel concerning the possible loan of preserved Open Boat tram 605 for use on the Birkenhead tramway, which Merseytravel will takeover from Wirral Borough Council during September.

A significant expansion of the tramway is envisaged as part of the Wirral Waters regeneration project that is expected to see the a heritage themed line running through the heart of the project as a commercial tramway. Wirral Waters is one half of Peel Waters; two complimentary and balanced waterside projects on either side of the River Mersey.

Wirral Waters will transform the derelict docks in Birkenhead into a world class waterfront with mixed residential, employment and leisure amenities. Merseytravel are examining options for DDA-compliant tramcars that will offer a low-cost alternative to new build and compliment the tourism opportunities provided by the regeneration project. Planning permission for the Wirral Waters development, the largest regeneration project in the UK, was approved during the first week of August 2010

Coronation 304 - Saturday 7 August

2010-08-06T10:49:00.002+01:00

Although the tram tours planned for 7/8 August have been cancelled due to the non availability of the original trams Coronation 304 will be operating two trips from North Pier on Saturday 7 August at 1100 and 1300 covering the Bispham to Pleasure Beach section of the tramway. Passengers may board at Depot at 1030 or North Pier at the times above.

Seats back in OMO car 8

2010-08-01T18:24:00.002+01:00

Seat frames have been refitted to OMO car 8 making the interior look much more complete. The seat backs are in reasonable condition, but it is expected that the seat cushions will be retrimmed in dark green moquette. Also refitted this week are the platform door frames leaving only some rewiring work as the last major outstanding item before OMO 8 can return to Rigby Road depot for the 125th anniversary events in September.

Ribble RE on Rossendale heritage link

2010-07-25T11:50:00.004+01:00

Ex-Ribble RE 366 is stretching its legs two days a week in the Rossendale valley on loan to Classic Bus North West. Two routes are being operated to link the Rawtenstall terminus of the East Lancs Railway with attractions such as the Russian Tea Rooms in Bacup and the Helmshore Textile Museum. It will run throughout the summer holidays on Thursdays and Sundays thanks to a European grant.

On Thursdays, the Rossendale Tour Buzz travels east taking in Rawtenstall, Lamberts Mill Shop, The Boo at Waterfoot, Lee Quarry, the Russian Tea Room in Bacup and the Fudge Village in Whitworth.

The bus will cover the west on Sundays taking visitors to the Weavers Cottage, Lamberts Mill Shop, Rossendale Museum, Helmshore for the farmers' market on the first Sunday of the month, Musbury Fabrics Mill Shop and the Helmshore Textile Museum, Winfield's and Haslingden for the Halo.

Tickets cost £2 for adults, £1 for children under 16 while a family ticket costs £5. Visit www.rossendaletourbuzz.com for timetable and attractions listing.

OMO 8 restoration progresses

2010-07-18T19:56:00.002+01:00

Restoration work on OMO car 8 is progressing at our Brinwell Road depot. The interior window mouldings have all been rubbed down and repainted cream in the last few weeks. This has allowed the green rexine-covered side panelling to be refitted, which in turn will now facilitate the refitting of the seat frames. A start has also been made on refitting the interior lighting, much of which had been cannibalised whilst in store from 1992.

Totally Transport Draws the Crowds

2010-06-28T21:42:00.001+01:00

The sixth annual Totally Transport event took place on New South Promenade on Sunday 27th June, with glorious sunny weather helping to bring the crowds into Blackpool for this now very well established transport event. Due to the tram track works between Starr Gate and the Pleasure Beach, the event was extended to include the length of Ocean Boulevard, thus bringing the trams back into the spectacle, and Blackpool Transport assisted by operating some additional trams of interest, including Bolton 66, Standard 147, Boats 602 and 604, Brush Car 632 and open top Balloon 706 'Princess Alice'. The event included an enhanced display of cars, buses and commercials (as well as 200 visiting minis!), and also featured displays, models and exhibits within the Solaris Centre, and a good mix of stalls on the garden to the rear.

632 returns to service

2010-06-26T14:14:00.003+01:00

Brush Railcoach 632, acquired by the LTT in October 2009 for preservation, returned to the promenade for the first time since being mothballed at the end of 2004. Sponsored by the Tram Shop at North Pier and TRAMS magazine, 632 now looks superb with its roof advertising boxes, gill sans fleet numbers and BCT crests.

On its first day back in service 632 operated with Coronation 304 on a special timetable between Pleasure Beach and Bispham. A big thank you to Nick Meskell of Trams Magazine for making this project possible and bringing 632 back to life.

632 to top the bill at totallyTransport

2010-06-24T13:38:00.002+01:00

LTT's Brush car 632 is to return to use this weekend as part of totally Transport. On Saturday it will be "on tour" with Coronation 304 operating between Pleasure Beach and Bispham from 1030 to 1700.
Tickets are £10 each and available from Blackpool Tram Shop at North Pier. See www.totallytransport.info for more details.

The on Sunday totallyTransport takes place. Around 400 vehicles are booked in, including classic cars, buses. Over 150 of the iconic mini will arrive around lunch time at the end of a road run from across the North. Stalls and models will be at the Solaris centre; the vehicle displays from Pleasure Beach to Starr Gate along New South Promenade. Seafront 12 bus service will run from Lytham Square to Pleasure Beach every 20 minutes during the afternoon with vintage trams in use from Pleasure Beach to North Pier including 632, Boat 602, Standard 147, Coronation 660 and Bolton 66. All subject to availability of course.

703 Farewell

2010-06-07T21:18:00.000+01:00

Today saw the farewell trip for 703 - a round trip to Bispham and Pleasure Beach for photographers. Unfortunately it was not possible to carry passengers but Classic Bus North West open top Bristol VR 1995 shadowed the car and a handful of photo stops were made. The car now carries its Shop at Binns adverts and will be moving to its new home at Beamish Museum later this month.

Ribble 1997 moves for MoT prep

2010-05-16T10:36:00.002+01:00

Work on the restoration of Ribble 1997 at the BusWorks site has now been completed and the vehicle has moved back to Brinwell Road for valeting. 1997 still requires MoT preparation work including brake servicing, accelerator repairs and other minor work before being submitted to Class VI test at VOSA Kirkham.

703's makeover complete

2010-05-16T08:36:00.005+01:00

Balloon car 703 has now been released from the paint shop and is stored in the main depot awaiting its move to Beamish which is scheduled for mid-June. Now assuming its new identity as Sunderland 101, the car looks superb in its psuedo-Sunderland red and cream livery style.

Seat cushions and backs have been refitted, creating a matching set in the 1980s style lime green moquette. "Shop at Binns" has still to be fitted above the destination screen, and new destination blinds with Sunderland termini are on order.

A photographic session with 101 has been arranged with Blackpool Transport for Monday 7th June when "101" will leave depot at 14:00 and operate Depot-Bispham-Pleasure Beach-Depot. Because 101 is no longer in the operational fleet, no passengers will be carried but photostops will be arranged.

Brush Car 632 out of paint shop

2010-05-12T20:21:00.003+01:00

Brush Railcoach 632 has been released from the paint shop looking superb in late 1970s half green and light cream livery that was once so typical of this class. Sponsored by TRAMS magazine, 632 will soon receive roof advertising boxes with adverts for the new North Pier based Tram Shop. 632 will also get black gill sans fleet numbers and Blackpool Corporation crests.

The project is a partnership between Trams magazine, the LTT and Blackpool Transport who will operate the tram on specials this summer. Currently 632 is in the fitting shop being prepared to receive the trucks removed from sister car 622 which is now withdrawn.

Open top 1995 repainted

2010-04-24T19:29:00.002+01:00

Ex-Ribble VRT 1995 (OCK995K) has been repainted in Classic Bus North West fleet livery of the Southdown inspired apple green and cream livery. This vehicle is on long-term loan to the trading company from the LTT and recently 1995 passed through the BusWorks for rear panelling and upper deck floor repairs. It was decided to repaint 1995 in advance of the 2010 summer season, its first since 2007 when reverse Ribble livery was applied.

LTT Tram Repaints

2010-04-24T18:00:00.003+01:00

The two LTT trams in the paint shop at Blackpool Transport are progressing well. 703, in Sunderland livery, is almost complete whereas Brush Car 632 is now undercoated in green & cream ready for 1980s livery.

Meet Sunderland 101

2010-04-16T20:08:00.003+01:00

Balloon car 703 is looking superb in Blackpool Transport's paint shop and in the final stages of its transformation into Sunderland red and cream livery. The tram will assume a new identity as Sunderland 101 - the next fleet number that could have been applied to a bogie car in the Sunderland tramcar fleet. Still to come are "Shop at Binns" advertising and side adverts for co-sponsor, bus operator Go North East.

Brush Car 632 returns to service

2010-03-31T21:51:00.003+01:00

Brush Railcoach 632 is to return to passenger service this year in a partnership arrangement between TRAMS magazine, the TRAM SHOP at North Pier, Blackpool Transport and the LTT.

632 last operated in October 2004 but on 30 March it was extracted from long term store and transferred to the paint shop. Here it will be repainted in late 1970s green & cream livery and advert boxes fitted with advertising for the Tram Shop. In this guise 632 will operate until November 2011.

143's top deck arrives!

2010-03-27T09:02:00.002Z

Although covered more extensively in 143's own restoration blog, this news update records the arrival of 143's new top deck from Gillett's of Wesham. It arrived on Wednesday 24 March and was fully assembled by the following day. Next week it will be trial fitted on the lower deck so the internal bulkhead partitions can be finalised - and then the lower deck can be shipped off to Blackpool Transport whilst the upper deck is painted, varnished and wired up.

Take a last look at 703 in green...

2010-03-23T00:32:00.003Z

Take a last look at Balloon car 703 in Blackpool green and cream livery - it will soon be wearing Sunderland red and cream. Interestingly, car 703 has worn this 1980s style livery since 1999 but never wore the scheme during the 1982-1987 period when the majority of Balloon cars repainted were given the style. This was because 703 had been amongst the last repaints in the plain 1970s style back in 1981 and it wasn't repainted again until 1989 when Blackpool Transport had reverted to a much plainer livery style but in the post-deregulation shades of green & cream.

Keep viewing this blog for other announcements of the LTT's tram fleet.

New home for Balloon car 703

2010-03-18T00:13:00.002Z

Balloon car 703, acquired for preservation by the LTT in October last year, is now in the paint shop. However, following a repaint the car will soon be moving away from the seaside town for operation at the North of England Open-Air Museum in Beamish, County Durham thanks to sponsorship from bus operator Go-North East and the BusWorks in Blackpool.

But tram 703 will take on a new identity as a Sunderland tram following a makeover by Blackpool Transport funded by the two principal sponsors.

Sunderland used to operate trams of a design reminiscent to these Blackpool icons and to give 703 local significance to the Beamish museum, the tram will adopt Sunderland's streamlined 1930s red and off-white livery style. The 94-seat tram, built in 1934 should prove to be a popular crowd mover on the Beamish tramway which is used to transport visitors from the main entrance to the attractions located around the 300 acre site.

An impression of what 703 will look like, based on a photograph edited by Jason Cross, is shown opposite. It is not intended to restore the double destination screens before it moves to Beamish but this may happen during its initial 5-year loan.

Ribble 1997 repainted

2010-03-08T22:27:00.002Z

Ribble 1997 has now left the Busworks paintshop after a complete repaint into original livery. It will now receive mechanical attention ready for an MoT and a return to the road for the rally season.

Twin Car joins the collection

2010-02-05T11:50:00.001Z

Another significant addition to the LTT tram collection has been confirmed this week with agreement to purchase Twin Set 676 + 686 for the collection. 676 (as 276) was the prototype towing car converted from a conventional railcoach in 1957 and introduced into service in 1958. Its trailer, originally T6, was one of ten built new in 1960/1 and the pair operated together from 1961 to 2004. In 1969 the set was modified from single ended to double ended configuration by transferring one set of cab equipment from 676 to 686. This was the penultimate set treated and 676 was also upgraded at the time - having retained more railcoach features compared to the production units - and emerged with contemporary Darvic interior panelling. When restored 676+686 will be outshopped in their 1970 condition in half green and half cream livery.

Cherry Red for Ribble 1997

2010-01-30T16:33:00.003Z

Ex-Ribble VRT 1997 (OCK997K) achieved celebrity status after clocking up 29 years passenger service and being the oldest bus (outside London) with FirstGroup. After life with Ribble, 1997 operated with Crosville and then Devon RedBus before finally becoming part of First Western National. It was withdrawn from service, still in RedBus livery, in January 2002 and returned north in August after acquisition by the Lancastrian Transport Trust for preservation.

Full restoration of 1997 commenced in September 2006 by LTT volunteers and now a vacant slot in the BusWorks' paint shop has allowed repainting in cherry red to commence.

Blackpool National returns

2010-01-22T00:23:00.001Z

Blackpool National 2 542 (A542PCW) has joined the LTT collection. New in 1984 it ran until 1991 passing to United in Durham where it ran until 1999. Since then it has been an exhibition unit with Durham Constabulary and more recently Safe-in-Tees Valley. Retired in 2009 it has been donated to the Trust for eventual restoration.

Own a share in a Blackpool Icon

2010-01-09T14:07:00.001Z

The double deck Balloon Car is one of the icons of Blackpool and the LTT are giving enthusiasts the opportunity to own shares in one of the cars acquired for preservation. Selling of shares in tram 715 will finance the restoration of the tram and repaint back into green and cream livery so that the tram can operate in this guise during the 125th anniversary year of the tramway.

Shares are being sold at £500 each but half shares at £250 are also available. If you are interested in acquiring a share then follow this hyperlink to view and print off a shareholder application form.

Application Form: http://www.ltt.org.uk/715_shareform.html

Balloon Car 715 acquired for Preservation

2010-01-08T18:26:00.002Z

The Lancastrian Transport Trust has agreed the purchase of Balloon Car 715 from Blackpool Transport. However, in a radical move the LTT are to invite tram enthusiasts to become shareholders in a project that will return 715 to green & cream livery in the condition it emerged back in 1981. In this guise it will remain at Rigby Road depot and available for use until the end of 2011.

Details of the specific work to be undertaken on 715 are still being discussed with Blackpool Transport but a budget of £7,000 has been earmarked. Once the offer of becoming a share owner in 715 is finalised, details will be published on this website, allowing interested enthusiasts to own a part of a Blackpool icon.

Blackpool Atlantean 362 to get repaint

2009-12-29T21:10:00.003Z

Blackpool Atlantean 362 is to receive a repaint back into the late 1980s style green & cream livery applied to the Atlantean class following deregulation in 1986 (though not actually applied to 362 until 1991).

362 was purchased for preservation following a generous donation from an LTT member and now the same individual has contributed to the repaint cost which will be undertaken by the BusWorks. This will allow 362 to make appearances in 2010 for the 125th tramway anniversary events; the bus has been stored since acquisition in November 2006.

LTT Events for 2010

2009-12-21T20:36:00.001Z

LTT's events for 2010 have now been finalised. Two open days will take place on Sunday 11 April and Sunday 31 October at the Trust's Brinwell Road depot.

Totally Transport will take place on Sunday 27th June and a tram event is scheduled for the Saturday (26th). LTT is also participating in the 125th anniversary celebrations for the Blackpool tramway from 23 to 29 September. Details here.