Totally Transport Draws the Crowds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.