Tram Talk

Our title 'Municipal Transport Heyday' covering the 1950s and the story of Blackpool's buses and trams during an evolving decade which saw the Coronation Cars enter service and the introduction of the first trailer car set (in 1958) has been well received. So much so that only a half dozen copies are in stock. Any enthusiast wishing to ensure he or she has a copy of this title in their collection should place their order online this week to avoid disappointment. A handful o

Blackpool's Central Library - (another Carnegie gift) is a pleasing backdrop to three of the new ADL buses introduced on Service 4 to Mereside this week. The temporary routing being due to ongoing roadworks in Blackpool which are likely to continue over the winter. Loading outside Blackpool Central Library. Both Images : GK Woodman

England v Belgium June 28, 2018 Image : Ian Stewart

As promised a fleet of smart new single deck buses in the now all encompassing 'Palladium' brand took over the back street services 3 and 4 on Monday this week. They presented an impressive sight negotiating numerous tight curves and narrow residential streets around Blackpool, Anchorsholme and Mereside -as well as the town centre with its many road diversions. Bispham Village stop Monday June 25 and the Palladiums arrive ! Rear profile detail on 236 at Bispham Village fir

Crich Tramway Village hosts a gleaming well maintained collection of preserved trams now a passing memory for many visitors. The amazing summer weather was on hand during my visit last Thursday en route to Oxford. Fortunately one of the operating cars was Blackpool Standard 40, providing that open balcony breeze on the top deck; whilst LUT 158 served as the other running car with totally open top deck and Edwardian features once familiar to far earlier generations. Schoo

Another rebranding exercise on a British light rail fleet is now imminent with the change of operating ownership of the West Midlands line between Birmingham Grand Central terminus (aka New Street) and Wolverhampton. The incongruous flamboyant swish pink grey and silver styling is about to be swept away with a more sombre all over blue reminiscent of Walsall's municipal fleet. Birmingham tram terminus outside 'Grand Central' aka New Street Station . A class act. West Midla

Not something from 'Jurassic Park' or formidable landladies ! Actually the term given to centre entrance low floor cars introduced in New York City (Manhattan) in 1911. These quite formidable all steel built trams were designed in response to problems caused by ladies fashions of the time which limited lateral movement of their feet caused by the 'hobble skirt'. New York being particularly fashion conscious prompted the New York Railway company to design a very low floor

Remembering Ian Stewart - the great tram illustrator and staunch supporter of the STTS

Even Blackpool's trams carry notices of impending new buses on Services 3 and 4. School peak loading of a Solo on Service 3 at Bispham Village today. Whilst below a Resort Pass Branded Solo also on Service 3 departs from the disgraceful shelter stop on Warbreck Hill Road. Local Ward Councillors 'Danny & Michele' (the Scotts) finally woke up to the wretched condition of this abomination of a bus shelter which has been in this state for several years and despite complaints

Residents of North Shore will say goodbye to the familiar Optare Solo buses this week. New replacement models are due to take over Services 3 and 4 in a week's time. Below : crowded Talbot Road with the condemned Wilko building as backdrop and a Solo passes its larger BTS cousins en route to Mereside :