Catch 22 - Heritage Running Day

Buses from the LTT collection will be operating in passenger service on Saturday 25 May. In co-operation with Classic Bus North West, we are hosting a Heritage Running Day on "Catch 22" between Mereside and Cleveleys. Buses will operate every 30 minutes on the Saturday service and a selection of buses are being considered including Blackpool PD3 No.529, Routemaster 521 (RM1583), Atlantean 334 & Swift 570, Fylde 71, Lytham 19, Ribble 1997 as well as some other surprises. More details to follow...

Blackpool 521 & Lytham 19 will be amongst the vehicles selected for operation on the Catch 22 heritage running day on Saturday 25 May between Mereside and Cleveleys.

It is 25 years since PD3s last operated on service 22 to Cleveleys - the last examples being withdrawn from regular service in November 1988. 529 will be a definite on the Catch 22 running day.

Off to Preston with 1997

Our attempts to complete the restoration of Ribble Bristol VRT No.1997 have been frustrated by the bus developing a series of electrical and mechanical faults and us labelling them under the "not enough hours in the day" category. Well today we decided to fill a slot at Ribblesdale Electrics in Preston where 1997's faulty ignition, charging & warning lamp circuits will be rewired. This will bring 1997 another few steps closer to finally returning to use...

A snowy setting for 1997 on route to Preston for rewiring

LTT - where it all began

It is now 30 years since the first vehicles were acquired for preservation by the LTT (then known as the Lancastrian Transport Group). The group was formed as a result of Eric Berry and Philip Higgs both becoming involved in the preservation of early examples of low-height rear engined buses; Lancashire United Daimler Fleetline 97 and Ribble Atlantean 1805, both of 1962 origin.
After a period in store, both buses have been extracted for photographs recently and it is hoped that they will be MoT'd this summer for further use.

LUT 97 displaying X60 Blackpool posed at the former Mereside bus terminus with a BTS Dennis Trident passing in the background.

 

Same location but with Ribble 1805 showing off its Robertsons Bread advert revealed after its illuminated advert panels were re-rubbered to prevent water ingress.

Tigerrific tram to return

The iconic Tigerrific advert tram is to return! Car 622, acquired in 2010 to provide a set of overhauled trucks to roll under car 632 (sponsored by TRAMS magazine), was never intended for preservation. Following an approach by Anchorsholme Primary School in Cleveleys, car 622 is to gain a new lease of life as a static classroom within the school grounds and in respect of the tram's heritage, the Tigerrific style advert livery is to be reapplied.

Some interior upgrading will also feature in the work. Four seats will be removed at each of the cab ends of the tram to be replaced by a teacher's desk, whilst concealed fluorsecent lighting, floor mounted fan heaters and some power sockets will also be installed. However, the majority of the swingover seats will be retained for classroom seating. Work is expected to start on the preparation of the tram later this month with on-site delivery possibly during the Easter school holidays.
The work on 622 is being funded by Anchorsholme School, in partnership with Blackpool Council and with contributions from the ward budget of Councillors Tony Williams (Leader of the Conservative Group) and Paul Galley.