A\u00a0small update on the current\u00a0situation regarding the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust and its collection of historic Blackpool trams has recently appeared on the website of Rigby Road Publishing, a small venture run by one of the FHLT Trustees. This states that the original objective of creating a tram museum in Fleetwood is currently under review; however, it is also understood that plans are being formulated for new displays featuring two of their trams.<\/p>\n
No indication has been given as to which of the Trust’s vehicles will be involved in the new plan, as it is merely indicated that plans are underway for two trams to be used to provide new public displays to benefit visitors to Blackpool. It is to be hoped that this will include\u00a0 a plan for Brush car 290<\/strong>, which remains at Pleasure Beach in a poor external condition, having been repainted with a thin layer of gold paint last year which has not stood up well to the harsh coastal climate. The tram’s appearance has further deteriorated after it sustained a smashed window, which has now been blocked out rather crudely. However, it is understood that the car has not suffered much, if at all, from leaking which is certainly pleasing and quite surprising given the long period it has been standing outside for, and the tendency of the 1930s streamliners to leak! It is also sincerely hoped that any new static displays will see the trams involved treated more sympathetically than the controversial graffiti livery on 290<\/strong>, which has been a source of much controversy.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust are currently reviewing their aim of developing a tram museum attraction in the town of Fleetwood, which had been tentatively scheduled to open at some point during 2014. Much like the Lancastrian Transport Trust before them, the development of an extensive heritage tram fleet by Blackpool Transport has considerably reduced the need for such a collection to exist and the group is now considering its future role. Having struggled to overcome a number of issues and failed to attract much financial support from either the local Council or the enthusiast community, some difficult decisions could well have to be taken and it remains to be seen in what form this organisation will continue to function. Hopefully the move of Jubilee car 761<\/strong> back to Rigby Road for undercover storage will ensure that at least this tram will survive for the foreseeable future, due to its historical significance, but it is to be hoped that options to ensure that their other trams will also live on will also be available.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A\u00a0small update on the current\u00a0situation regarding the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust and its collection of historic Blackpool trams has recently appeared on the website of Rigby Road Publishing, a small venture run by one of the FHLT Trustees. This states … Continue reading