News | Fleet Lists | Gallery | Articles | Tram Profiles | Restoration | Tram of the Year | Diary of Events | Links | Site Updates | About the Site | Email

Last Updated Sunday 2nd November 2008

This is the most comprehensive UK Tram and Light Rail News service anywhere on the internet. All the news carried on these pages is done so in good faith and is correct to the best of British Trams Online's knowledge. Most news is gathered from other sources on the internet and this is always quoted - normally with a direct link to the original story. We are always on the look out for any additional news or indeed any corrections to news stories carried. If you can help with either of these please email at britishtramsonline@lycos.co.uk. We are grateful for those people who have given us permission to use their images and news on these pages.

To return to the current News Index click here (If you have accessed this page by using the News Archive please use the back button on your browser).


RAILCOACH 679 SECURED FOR PRESERVATION
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 2nd November 2008

The break-up and distribution of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway fleet has continued with the excellent news that the Lancastrian Transport Trust have secured Railcoach 679 for preservation. It is planned that the tram will be restored to its original streamlined appearance in time for the 2010 celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the tramway.

The tram is first of the once 45 strong class to be preserved and will see the return of a streamlined English Electric Railcoach (as opposed to Brush) for the first time since 1974. 679 itself was rebuilt with front ends in the early 1960s when it was converted to Twin Car status.

679 has been mothballed since 2004 but remains in operational condition and it is hoped to organise a tour with the tram before work starts on the restoration.

The majority of the rebuilding work will be undertaken at the BusWorks premises on South Shore Business Park, where the tram will move during the winter.


Looking dirty and unloved in August little did we know that this tram would be a news star by the end of the year. 679 is seen from the road outside the Depot in August 2008.
Photo: Andrew Waddington

Source: Lancastrian Transport Trust



British Trams Online is an enthusiast run website for enthusiasts. It should be able to be viewed at all screen resolutions but I do advise you that it is probably best at 1024x768. The site is owned, maintained (and in the main written) by Gareth Prior. Any comments or suggestions please email.