In a development that is likely to be welcomed by many fans of Blackpool’s historic tramcars, it has now been confirmed that discussions are taking place between representatives of the Lancastrian Transport Trust and the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, to devise a strategy for the future of their trams. Both groups have been attempting to collect a representative selection of Blackpool trams to form the basis of a future museum on the Fylde coast, although the majority of their vehicles are currently in outside storage in the local area.
Previous suggestions that the two groups should consider combining their limited resources have fallen on deaf ears, but earlier this year the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust offered sanctuary to the LTT’s Coronation car 304 which has now joined several of the FHLT vehicles at an industrial estate near Copse Road, Fleetwood. Attempts to enter the LTT’s own undercover storage depot by the low loader used to transport 304 back to Blackpool following its visit to Beamish proved fruitless and so, at very short notice, John Woodman of the FHLT managed to arrange for the tram to be stored at Fleetwood. This seems to have acted as an olive branch between the two organisations, who are now engaged in active discussion which will hopefully benefit both parties. The main priority for both groups is the storage of their trams, as the current situation for them is far from ideal, and hopefully this may lead to at least some of the most valuable trams owned by these groups moving undercover during 2013.
A seperate development has also seen the Fleetwood group open up conversations with the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust, who hope to complete work on a depot in which to house its vehicles at Sunderland in 2013. Consideration is being given towards a loan deal being arranged, which could see one of the trams owned by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust head to Sunderland for a period of static display, which would also ensure that another tram would be going undercover.
Although discussions are at an early stage, one possibility is that the LTT and FHLT could ultimately merge to form one super collection of Blackpool trams. With the LTT’s plans to create a new transport heritage centre at Thornton Gate no nearer to progressing forwards, housing its collection at Fleetwood could well be a wise move for the Trust if the FHLT’s plans do move forward as planned over the next 12 months. A combination of both collections would also create the basis of an unrivalled display illustrating the development of the Blackpool tram over a period of some seventy years, with unique LTT-owned cars such as Standard 143 and Coronation 304 complemented by the Fleetwood group’s Twin, Jubilee and Centenary cars. This would also enable a display on the evolution of driver-only operated cars in Blackpool to be created, featuring OMO 8, Jubilee 761 and Centenary car 641.
Of course, any such merger would almost certainly lead to some ‘preserved’ trams being declared surplus to requirements. Between them, the FHLT and LTT currently own five Balloon cars, four Brush Railcoaches and three Towing cars (yet curiously only one trailer!), meaning that some of these would probably end up being offered for sale or scrapped. Whilst this would obviously be a shame, if it would ensure a brighter future for a reduced number of trams, most supporters of the aim to create a Blackpool tram museum could probably forgive such difficult decisions. We now await any further developments with great interest, and hope that this may be a step in the right direction towards a more positive future for many of the Blackpool trams currently out in the wilderness.
Two trams that could benefit from a future FHLT/LTT collaboration are pictured at North Pier on their last day in service, 6th November 2011: Balloon 715 and Jubilee car 761. Both trams are currently in open storage. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)
Whilst I applaud the descision to join forces to form a group to establish a museum, I question the wisdom of suggesting that any such group would even consider “scrapping trams” as an option / necessety. Any sugestion that this would be the price we pay to establish a museum is unacceptable and “most supporters” of the aim to create a Blackpool tram museum” would. I’m sure, drfinitely NOT forgive such a descision. If funding is required then the words “scrapping trams” WILL deter supporters from donating. A struggling family wouldn’t even dream of killing off duplicate members – after all – they have one boy and one girl !! No, it’s barbaric and unthinkable. A solution MUST be found to preserve ALL the trams. I Know it’s a difficult descision but if an attempt
is made to save ALL the trams then supporters WILL DEFINATELY be willing to put their hands in their wallets big time to help. Remember – no two balloon cars are the same.
I agree with you Tim, I won’t be giving either organistaion my money as the words “scrap trams” puts me off. If the LTT and FHLT need more money and have too many duplicate (duplicate as in two of the same class) trams then they can sell them to other preservation groups and get the money they need to establish a museum
While none wants to see trams scrapped, IF (and it is still a very big if) the two groups in question do pool their efforts there will be a lot of duplication in the combined fleet and some disposals would be inevitable… That does not necessarily mean scrapping – IIRC BT were said have had around 40 expressions of interest about balloons so some over-optimistic individuals may step forward, but if some of the preserved examples are to run and be kept running, a source of spares will be needed soon, and you can’t walk into Halfords and pick them off the shelf so some sacrifice will be to the benefit of the class as a whole. e.g. 703 at Beamish is going to need serious work very soon, and as I see it the most likely source of parts is unfortunately sister 704…
I should stress that there are no firm plans regarding disposal of any trams by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust or the Lancastrian Transport Trust and that this is just one option that these groups may consider in the future. However, with very limited resources available it seems like the most obvious step to take – more so if the two groups do collaborate on any level. Personally I would rather build a secure future for a smaller number of Blackpool trams and have them either displayed in a presentable condition or better still, in running order, than have a lot more trams sitting outside in various yards gradually rotting away. As Paul has said, operating trams need spare parts and if we want to enjoy Blackpool trams running on various systems for the forseeable future, we may well have to sacrifice a few cars in order to provide a source of spares. This is particularly true of the Centenary & Jubilee cars which were never know for their reliability, and the Chopper controls are not compatable with the equipment in the 1930s trams.
If anyone feels particularly strongly about the survival of any one vehicle preserved by the LTT, FHLT or indeed any other organisation, I would advise you to contact the owners and make a donation towards its preservation. Without support from enthusiasts there is pretty much no chance of everything surviving, and as ever it is highly likely that those who are prepared to put their hands in their pockets will be the ones who can help to decide which trams survive!