Tram Talk

Colin had the great fortune of living literally right by the Marton tramway on Whitegate Drive during his youth. Like the author he had a particular interest in the trams passing his home every few minutes seven days a week from the mid 1950s up to the very end of the Marton service in October 1962. We both shared in giving Standard car 48 a modest send off on its final run to Royal Oak on the last night of trams on the Marton route. His interest in recording the trams aro

John Woodman A school trip long ago allowed me to experience firsthand the once prolific tram system in Denmark's capital. This was before the operator invested in a fleet of Duwag articulated trams to that company' standard design. One hundred models were imported - all with trolleypoles - transforming the city's services which hitherto had relied on domestic designs, peculiar to Copenhagen, The peak hour turnout when we arrived from Blackpool for a ten day stay in th

John Woodman The all electric transport era has begun. From this week UK registered vehicles that are solely powered by electricity will be issued with registration plates that have green background and at the same time do away with the now redundant EU blue flag insignia. Hybrid powered vehicles do not qualify for this DVLA treatment - only purely electric units are to be so treated. The intention in part is to raise public awareness of the extent and growth of all el

John Woodman It is1963 and I had just joined the (British) Army. My regiment was stationed just north of the cathedral town of Paderborn in NorthRhine-Westphalia. We were part of a front line (20th) armoured brigade responsible for facing off against a possible Soviet attack on West Germany in the height of the Cold War when tensions between the Soviet Union and NATO powers required continuing vigilance and preparedness. However my transfer from Blackpool to Paderborn vi

John Woodman The author has been randomly observing the comings and goings of Blackpool's buses accessing the transport hub on Rigby Road seemingly forever. From the days of elderly Titans ekeing out their final years, mostly in the open parking area adjoining the Bus Garage up until today's smart ADL fleet in its dominant 'Palladium' colours. Whilst the Garage interior has changed very little - the bus types and styles certainly have gone through several changes. A gl

John Woodman Current headlines covering the pending closure and or relocation of Blackpool town centre's post office, presently located in the basement of WH Smith's premises on Bank Hey Street, together with news of plans for further redevelopment of the Talbot Gateway area which include demolition of properties due south of the Council's Bickerstaffe House and former Bus Station site - prompts this supplemental reference on records of the town's colourful past. Whilst my pe

John Woodman Industry news is announcing a merger/takeover by Alstom of the Bombardier Transportation business. France's long endorsement of its market leader in trains, trams and much more has seen the French light rail market grow exponentially - both for the domestic market as well as diverse customers for its very successful 'Citadis' design since inception by then Alstom company How this impacts on current orders and business strategy of Bombardier as far as its role

John Woodman Once upon a time Blackpool had two very busy bus stations. Opposite North Station across Talbot Road was the municipal focal point for town bus services shared with both Ribble's regular stage carriage routes (as they were quaintly termed) reaching communities east and north of the Fylde coast; alongside those of Scout Motor Services whose dark brown and cream liveried buses comingled with the cherry read colours of Ribble on several routes. Blackpool's join

John Woodman Demise of a slew of stores owned under the unlamented 'Arcadia' corporate umbrella with its sea cruising owners - well advised to stay far from these shores, is regrettably capped this week with announcement of the closure of the Debenhams retailing business. Very much an integral feature in many UK town centres and shopping developments, Debenhams have provided an invaluable quality retail anchor operation to shopping centres up and down the country. Blackpoo