As we reported last week, the Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Standard 143 has a new home following its move to the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville, Suffolk. This move is part of a loan agreement which will see the team at the museum complete repairs to the tram (which failed in September 2019 with a motor fault and hasn’t carried passengers since) and then it will be completing mileage accumulation in service.
143 departed Rigby Road Depot on Tuesday 24th February on the back of a Reid Freight low loader, having been separated from its trucks to ensure it was low enough to take the most appropriate route (the trucks travelling on a separate lorry). After travelling through the night it then arrived at Carlton Colville the following day – Wednesday 25th February 2026.
Soon after arrival it was unloaded from the lorry and placed upon its trucks once again. It was then moved into the depot where the required maintenance work will be undertaken.
Over £200,000 has already been spent on the restoration of 143 but the work required will need more outlay. To help achieve this the East Anglia Transport Museum have launched a “Let’s Get 143 Back on Track” fundraising campaign.
They are aiming to raise £15,000 to go towards the work and you can donate (either an one-off donation or regular donations online by visiting https://www.eatm.co.uk/donate/help-us-get-143-back-on-track/. Anyone who donates £100 or more will be invited to a private launch-day event.
Blue skies met 143 at its new home. Its seen here still sitting on the back of the low loader.
143 prepares to be lifted from the low loader with its trucks already on the track waiting for the body.
And back on the trucks, 143 is on East Anglia Transport Museum rails for the first time. (All Photographs by Tim Major, 25th February 2026)