Bits & bobs from Blackpool

There hasn’t been a huge amount of news from the Blackpool tram fleet so far this year on the site, so to correct this here is a round-up of recent developments which may not all warrant individual news stories, but nonetheless deserve a mention.

We start with Standard car 143 – a tram which was largely restored to as-built condition by the Lancastrian Transport Trust some years ago, but has been stored at Rigby Road in an incomplete state for several years now. However, it is pleasing to report that serious efforts are at last being made to finish the job with a view to getting 143 running on the tramway, potentially as early as next year if all goes to plan. Towards the end of 2017, a collection of parts required to complete the restoration of this tram was gathered, which included the manufacture in-house of missing castings for the lifeguards and folding steps, the provision of new lower deck grab holders for standing passengers (made by the Ffestinog Railway works along with a new set for sister car 147) and new upper deck balcony seats, produced at a local college.

On 30th January, a local firm visited Rigby Road to fit new fibreglass laminate panelling to 143‘s roof, in order to create a good waterproof surface. This task was completed inside the Electrical Compound, and was contracted by the Lancastrian Transport Trust, who are still actively involved with this project, having ensured the initial preservation of the car back in 2003 when it was still Engineering car 753, stored in a fire-damaged and partially cannibalised state.

Meanwhile, Brush Railcoach 634 has recently been visited by its former owner, Andy Ashton, who has now removed the additional 240v AC wiring which was installed in the tram whilst at Rushden, to enable the use of power tools and lighting on board to assist with its cosmetic restoration at the time. Removing this will greatly assist when the time comes for 634 to be restored to a serviceable condition, hopefully in the not too distant future.

Centenary car 642 has also received some workshop attention, and was recently spotted on the depot fan sporting a set of freshly painted green trucks, suggesting that some mechanical work has been carried out. This tram has not run for two years, having suffered a failure in service and been towed to the depot in January 2016. Whilst no firm plans have been announced as yet, it is understood that 642 is to be repainted and returned to use following repair, hopefully meaning the end of the line for its shabby coat of all-over yellow paint applied over a decade ago.

Finally, for anyone more interested in the modern tram fleet, Flexity 018 was seen undergoing extensive test running during the week commencing 5th February, but neither this or 017 have yet been approved for passenger service. With a low demand for trams as a basic winter timetable is operating at present, neither of the new trams are needed right now, but will presumably be commissioned for use once the peak season arrives. Of interest, the pair now have grey doors to match cars 001-016, having been delivered with black doors, and meaning that it won’t be as easy to identify them as we had thought!

 

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