New home for Balloon car 703

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.