PD2 returns to Blackpool

The last surviving 1950s Blackpool PD2, one of a former fleet of 50, saw daylight for the first time in many years today on a journey from its long term storage at Weeton back to Brinwell Road, Blackpool. No.346, still wearing its faded yellow livery applied by the Illuminations department, is depicted below. It will soon be joined by Ribble RE 366 and Blackpool AEC Swift 570.

Blackpool Balloon 703 acquired by Beamish

Balloon 703 (masquerading as Sunderland 101) has been on loan to Beamish Museum from the Lancastrian Transport Trust since September 2010. The tram was painted into Sunderland red and cream livery prior to its move north, inspired by Sunderland English Electric built centre entrance car 99, which resembled a less streamlined version of a Blackpool Balloon in appearance.
Beamish have now concluded a deal to purchase 703 from the LTT, thus ensuring its long term future at the museum as part of their well maintained collection of trams.
Paul Jarman from the Beamish museum commented "101 will now fit into our longer term maintenance programme which will ultimately see it comprehensively overhauled and I would also like to see the original split blind destination boxes reinstated.  This, along with a repaint and some other tweaks, would bring it more into line with the very similar appearance of Sunderland 99.  For now though, the tram will continue to be used as a popular and effective member of the fleet."

LUT Fleetline 97 - now on display

Former Lancashire United Daimler Fleetline No.97 is now on display at the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport at Boyle Street. Some work has been undertaken on various electrical problems and it is pleasing to record that 97 is now available to the public to view and maybe ride on later this year (?).

LUT97 returns to Manchester

LUT 97, the second vehicle to join the collection back in 1982, has been acquired for continued preservation by the Greater Manchester Transport Society and was collected today for transfer to their Manchester based Boyle Street museum.
As part of a general thinning down of the LTT collection, LUT 97 was offered to the GMTS to allow it to be transferred to a sister charity and return to its natural habitat in the Manchester area. 97, the oldest surviving Daimler Fleetline of 1962 origin, has been stored away from the public eye for many years and the transfer of ownership will allow the vehicle to be seen again by the public and hopefully return to the road once more.

LUT 97 collected for a return back to Manchester on 1st February 2014

Ribble Atlantean 1805 (RRN405) returns to the road

Ribble 1805 seen at Piece Hall as the last bus on 27th October 2013. Photo by Jono Niblock

After spending the last few years in store one of the trust's founding buses Ribble 1805 successfully passed its MOT in October.

This involved a lot of work on the chassis and rear framing including repairs to the fibre glass floor around the lower rear saloon. The work was as usual, more than was originally anticipated but was very pleasing for all involved when she was successfully given 12 months clean bill of health by Martins of Middlewich after a long run down the M6!

Following on from the news of the MOT pass and with the vehicle performing well the opportunity was taken for 1805 to attend the Heart of Pennine Rally on 27th October 2013.

As part of the event 1805 had the honour of been the last bus at Piece Hall, the event will no longer be running to the hall due to renovation work. The bus had full loads and was enjoyed by a lot of people on the day.

It is planned that 1805 will be attending several events over the forthcoming year.

This now means that the trust has an operating example from Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Ribble once more. 

622 moves back home - for now!

The new owners of the LTT's former depot on Brinwell Road required the space that 622 occupied following its repaint and so arrangements where made with Blackpool Transport to house the tram until it can be delivered to Anchorsholme Primary School. On 8th November therefore 622, looking superb in its Tigerrific livery, was moved by Scotts Heavy Haulage back to Rigby Road depot.

622 is winched onto the Scotts' low loader for transport back to Rigby Road depot.

A Tiger gains its stripes

The finishing touches are now being put to the paintwork on Brush Railcoach 622 prior to its delivery to Anchorsholme Primary School - the tiger stripes. 622 is really looking superb!