290 In All Its Glory - 2012

The first project which the FHLT tackled was placing Brush Car 290 on display in Blackpool to celebrate HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The tram had arrived at HM Prison Kirkham daubed in a grotesque all over advertising for a Blackpool 'amusement' venue. The Trust determined to have this removed at the earliest opportunity aided by a small team of Offenders and supervisory staff. The work took place within one of the several workshop stores in the Prison. A particular objective was replacing worn timber and roof cladding on the tram. Colin MacLeod took charge of replacing the gantry tower base with new material to the same profile as the original. The vinyl advertising covering the bodywork was quickly removed and a bright design agreed as replacement with enormous improvement to the tram.

This involved contribution from the 'Lightworks' staff in Blackpool who fitted new LED outline replicating the original 'sweeps' so beloved of Walter Luff in the 1930s. Two Fleetwood Schools and the B&F College Art Students contributed a mix of designs covering the sixty years of the Queen's Reign. These were recreated into vinyl panels on the side windows of the tram. Special renditions of the Diamond Jubilee logo were

applied to the side panels - with relevant inserts on the destination screens at both ends. A special illuminated display panel with images of The Queen was added in the north facing driver's cab - to be seen through the windscreen.

Colin added flags of Britain's constituent nations on the gantry creating a stunning display launched on the new display track added by the Operational Services Staff at the Pleasure Beach tram turning circle. Some memories of this outstanding initiative as a reminder five years on. Images : Steven Meyer-Rassow