Vote OMO8 for Tram of the Year 2011

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

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 It was withdrawn because of serious water ingress from the roof and, once stripped down, serious corrosion of the steel framed roof cove framing was discovered.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.