We reported earlier this week about how Coronation 304 was out on test but that is not all that has been happening in the Rigby Road workshops with the main focus of attention now being Standard 143 – another tram owned by the Fylde Transpot Trust – whilst a return to action beckons for Balloon 707 with Bolton 66 also due some workshop attention over the off season.
As part of the most recent agreement between Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours and the Fylde Transport Trust it is planned that Standard 143 will return to the rails during 2019 – in doing so it will be carrying passengers for the first time in over 60 years! This former Engineering Car is currently seeing attention below the body which includes the lifeguard, platform step brackets, sanders and handbrake equipment being fitted. Once this work is completed – due to be sometime in the new year – 143 will move across to the Body Shop for a continuation of work to bring it back to operational condition. And it is a return which is surely set to be one of the most anticipated returns in Blackpool for quite some time!
Another tram which should return to service after a few years out (although nowhere near as many as 61!) is Balloon 707. This tram has been rumoured to be on the return list for around 18 months but workshop constraints have prevented this but the chance is now being taken for it to go through the workshops ahead of a return to action in 2019. Little attention out of the ordinary was required on 707 with the majority of work covered by the annual service each tram receives. Although not everyone’s cup of tea the tram will be a useful member of the heritage fleet with double deckers proving to be very popular both during the illuminations and also on Private Hires. And the good news is that it won’t be running in its drab all over black livery (with its Coral Island advertising vinyls having been stripped some time ago) as it has now been moved into the Paint Shop for preparation ahead of a repaint into a livery style not yet revealed.
Elsewhere, Bolton 66 is also set to be lifted over the winter with its bogies due to be overhauled. 66 has now been moved into the Body Shop for a start to be made on this work which will also see Heritage Painting called in to refresh the paint work. It is planned 66 will be back in service during 2019 which incredibly marks the 38th anniversary of its arrival in Blackpool!
All the above – and the annual services required on each tram, known as the “dock” – means that work on Twin Car 675+685 has been put onto the back burner. You may remember that this tram was withdrawn from service in 2015 after the fire on sister 272+T2 which led to a review of the wiring on the trams and that it had been moved to the Fitting Shop earlier in 2018 for a full rewire to take place but other commitments meant that this work stalled. However, it is still very much the intention of Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours to return this tram to the tracks in 2019.
The workshops are certainly looking very busy at Rigby Road and if the planned work does go-ahead it would seem that 2019 may be a very exciting year in Blackpool once again!
Has 66 spent more time in preservation than it did in service in Bolton?
Not yet. It was built in 1901 and withdrawn just before the Bolton system closed in 1946.
Thanks for the clarification. I note there is no mention of 706 in BTS winter update.
Mark – there won’t be as no work is being done on it! I think there are enough projects there for the next couple of months without starting Alice!