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Tram Talk

Disclaimer : The opinions and commentary voiced on this page are those of the author and do not have the automatic endorsement of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust unless otherwise stated.

Sep 30, 2019

Electric Bus Trial

The statement by the Government and Chancellor this week of a funded trial conversion of an urban bus system to all electric vehicles might just favour Blackpool Transport's own strategy to go 'all electric'. A £25 Million tranche of funding is being assigned to a specific town or locality to cover the costs of conversion from diesel powered vehicles to all electric models - at least places Blackpool's publicly owned company (BTS) in pole position to be selected for this w

Rigby Road Publishing Update

Sep 27, 2019

Rigby Road Publishing Update

Our latest title in the series 'Municipal Transport' dealing with the 1960s is scheduled to be published at the end of October : 'Municipal Transport Rationalisation 1960 - 1969'. Orders are being accepted through our Shop Page. The delayed title on Blackpool's buses is now scheduled for end of 2020 and revised to commemorate Blackpool's Bus Centenary in 2021. More details will be made known next year.

Eyes On The Capital

Sep 25, 2019

Eyes On The Capital

Launching briefly into a mini rant on the politics of this country - disturbing as they are for everyone, no matter their views on the Brexit drama taking hold of Westminster - there is no question that the United Kingdom is presently in the grip of the mother of all constitutional crisis. Reconvening a Parliament of two years engaged in a bitter political battle with itself is the rerun of a platform for all too familiar figures to grandstand and pontificate - endlessly pro

143 Takes Centre Stage

Sep 24, 2019

143 Takes Centre Stage

The Trustees and their supporting team of the Fylde Transport Trust can be rightfully proud of seeing Standard Car 143 make its first appearance on the Promenade last night. The sight of this open fronted reminder of Blackpool's tramway in the 1920s was almost too true to be believed when it rumbled slowly and carefully past the Tower to the North Pier loop. A gathering of admiring enthusiasts soon clustered around the tram as Jane Cole,, MD of Blackpool Transport Services

Blackpool In The 1920s

Sep 23, 2019

Blackpool In The 1920s

The launch today of open balcony 'Standard' tramcar 143 resplendent in its as built 1924 appearance prompts a nostalgic trip back in time to a decade when electric trams dominated the resort's centre. Municipal red and white lined out colours for both trams and the newly introduced bus fleet presented a completely different appearance from the green and cream which would follow by the mid 1930s. Not a streamline tram or bus in sight - with the tram fleet very much redolen

Sorry : No Real Time Information

Sep 21, 2019

Sorry : No Real Time Information

Blackpool's light rail service is the only operation of its kind in the UK devoid of real time tram arrival information on its station stops. This omission is noticeable when something goes wrong on the tramway due to breakdown, accident or some other incident which prevents the service schedule being maintained as advertised. There would seem to be a cavalier attitude towards this lack of electronic information based possibly on the lack of public reaction to having to w

Sep 20, 2019

Blackpool's Push For Zero Carbon Transport & the Global Green Movement

The images of hundreds of thousands marching today to protest against despoilation of the earth's resources now bringing real threat to a global future - is a wakeup call to all politicians whatever the party label. These are the voters influencing elections tomorrow and for generations ahead. Platitudes and band-aid reactions simply won't work anymore on young generations concerned that their lives are already at risk from environmental damage being done by callous land h

Fylde Transport Trust Endeavours

Sep 20, 2019

Fylde Transport Trust Endeavours

Next Monday evening, all being well the remarkable journey of former Blackpool Standard tram 143 will have completed its seemingly interminable programme of restoration begun earlier this century. Standard Car 143 was a burnt shell of its final Engineering Car 3 condition when it was acquired by the then Lancastrian Transport Trust from Blackpool Transport Services. This was a point when the tram's remains and future were deemed questionable at best. Removed from BTS pre

London Exemplars : LCC 1 and MET 331

Sep 17, 2019

London Exemplars : LCC 1 and MET 331

As Blackpool's transport followers await the emergence of Standard Car 143 from its extended retro restoration now imminent an equally important moment is pending at the National Tramway Museum, Crich where final work is underway on returning LCC 1 to its as built 1932 condition. This car was the very last tram design to emerge from the Council's Charlton workshops intended as the forerunner of a fleet to improve the almost static condition of London County Council's tram s

Rear End Views

Sep 16, 2019

Rear End Views

Driving behind a Blackpool bus can be a visually stimulating experience when it has been treated to a creatively designed rear side vinyl. BTS have moved on from the neat well defined advertising panels on the back of the fleet to a full on layout for select customers. Mercedes Citaro 556 shows off its rear vinyl on Talbot Road. Respect Your Chips ? Below a similar theme this time on the back of an ADL Enviro vehicle And a return to Corporation green and cream branding firs

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