Tram Talk

John Woodman The latest twist in the HS2 saga announced this week involves the deletion of the HS2 link to Leeds in favour of yet a further permutation in the high speed rail (north) scheme. As a sop to the good citizens of that Yorkshire metropolis the Department of Transport has indicated that funding will be made available for a study on a light rail in Leeds. This will be the latest in a long line of handouts to consultants on the ever perennial Leeds tram revival - no

John Woodman In a dramatic development not dissimilar to the dramas played out when the 'Combino' model was suddenly withdrawn from service following alarming faults emerging in service by several systems using this Siemens design; the CAF 'Urbos 3 and Urbos 100' trams used exclusively by the West Midlands authority have all been completely withdrawn this week. This follows cracks being discovered within the structure of the design. These were initially repaired but now

John Woodman 1959 and MCW bodied 307 curves around Layton roundabout on the 9B service from Cleveleys to the town centre and inevitably Talbot Road Bus Station terminus. Photo : Don Crossley A focal point for travellers in Blackpool town centre for many years from 1945 was the multi storey car park and ground level bus station completed in 1939. Opened just before the outbreak of ww2 Talbot Road Bus Station became a familiar destination on the screens of many Blackpool b

John Woodman Following on a visit to the Football Club Stadium on Bloomfield Road today and an inspirational briefing by the Club's Management, it is worth revisiting our Trust's own efforts in 2015 to pay tribute to the town's football team and its current ambitions. In 2015 the Trust arranged for a special makeover of its classic Centenary car number 641. Already given a tangerine 'livery' by Blackpool Transport, together with supporting text number 641 was a logical amb

John Woodman Quite apart from the change in weather patterns being experienced across the world - every community has the means to reduce its carbon emissions and take measures that restrain increases in global warming. However incremental and small these may seem - as a leading retail brand keeps saying 'every little helps'. Both as individuals, families, community groups, businesses and public sector bodies, there are to hand attainable objectives which cummulatively miti

John Woodman Much speculative comment has been made online on the disposition of the trams stored in Fleetwood by the FHLT which decided to terminate its longstanding efforts to establish a heritage attraction for the town. Whilst its originating plans and intentions have been negated by various factors outside of the Trust's control or influence, fortunately several Parties have recently come forward with the promise that most of the collection will be 'taken into care' l

John Woodman The lengthening saga of the tramway extension along Talbot Road to reach its terminus for North Station is finally reaching a conclusion. The scissors crossover track installation which will provide the new terminal point is more or less completed with concrete infill providing pedestrian access. At the same time the overhead wiring is soon to follow on the erection of span wires across Talbot Road. The overhead section at the terminus will have to await compl

John Woodman One of the more amazing tales from the hundred years of Blackpool's bus operation has to be the overland journey made by a retired Burlingham bodied double deck bus - number 298. Built in 1951 at the Burlingham bodywork factory off Preston New Road the bus was one of fifty examples completed that year for Blackpool Corporation Transport Department numbered 251 to 300. The bus was retrieved from a scrap dealer by two students just in time before its dismantling

John Woodman Courtesy of my daughter's friend visiting Porto last week some further images from the excellent tram museum display featuring early cars from that city's wonderful tramway system. The display is sited within a former power station building alongside the riverfront heritage service which uses examples from the first generation tramway running into the city centre. Below : A lineup of trams inside the depot exhibition complete with original overhead poles and c

John Woodman Following hard on the visit to Wyre Dock by Johnny Vegas the FHLT Trustees will be welcoming a further 'guest' with interest in hosting the Trust's trams presently in exile and seeking new homes with tlc attached. As a result of discussions this week in Fleetwood the possibility that some of the 'exiles' may stay in the town to represent the origins of the tramway service to Blackpool pre light rail upgrade may be assured. John Woodman with Frank Heald are opt