This past week has been one of ups and downs, with stories both positive and negative emerging. The continuing crisis faced by the Lancastrian Transport Trust has dominated much of the discussion on the site over the last few days, with news of its perilous financial situation being an especially unwelcome announcement. This does, however resolve one mystery; the eagerness to dispose of Boat 605 and the probably use to which the profits were put but it does place yet another question mark over the long term future of the Trust. Thankfully, the majority of the tramcar collection is now safely rehoused, although their extensive bus fleet may not face the same secure fate if, or when, the axe does finally fall on this beleaguered organisation. As to the trams, once the new charitable trust is up and running and the trams transferred to this new owner they will be safe, with only Balloon 703, Coronation 663 and Towing Car 671 remaining under the direct control of the LTT, although 663 will, almost certainly, gain a new owner in the next few weeks. Hopefully 703 can remain at Beamish indefinitely, leaving the relatively unimportant 671 as the only significant casualty, although it is possible, according to rumours, that one of the trams currently stored in the hauliers yard in the outskirts of Blackpool may not be transferred to the new trust and will remain under the auspices of the LTT. No doubt difficult times still lie ahead for this once thriving organisation with an upturn in its fortunes is now looking increasingly unlikely. Elsewhere, good news has filtered from Heaton Park, with the first tram making a tentative trip into the new depot and also from Metrolink where further M5000’s are now entering service, although this latter development has been tempered by the loss of yet another T68 following the withdrawal of the uniquely coloured 1003. Nottingham too has continued to progress, with a newly reliveried tram and a further Citadis arriving in the city whilst the speculative Preston tram scheme has also taken a small step forward over the last few days. With Coronation 663 being in the news recently, facing eviction from its Brinwell Road home, this week cover photos take a Coronation theme. The banner picture features number 318, which later became 354, on the Pleasure Beach loop in its final condition, with half green and half cream livery and orange trolley tower waiting patiently behind a Balloon in 1960s livery. This particular example was withdrawn in 1971 and met its fate less than a year later when it was dismantled in the bus yard at Rigby Road. In contrast the profile picture, taken at the same location more than thirty years later, features 660, once the sole survivor of the type in Blackpool. The tram, which currently lies unused in Rigby Road awaiting workshop attention to enable it to return to active service, is seen departing for North Pier with Standard 147 ahead and a spaceman pie looking on. Hopefully, in the week ahead, the good news will keep on coming and it will certainly start on a positive note with major announcements expected tomorrow from two of our heritage tramways which will undoubtedly be very well received. This news will ensure that the closing weeks of 2013 will not be without interest and will provide a fitting climax to what has already been an eventful year as well as wetting appetites for an event already in preparation for 2014. Look out on Trams Today for full details tomorrow… Heaton Park is the venue for the main event of the week when their annual Autumn Gala is held on November 17th. Although scaled back in comparison to previous years, a visit is still recommended to see a unique five car line up, visit the new depot and enjoy a drive of Blackpool 623 for the bargain price of ten pounds. In addition, three different trams will be in use throughout the day with others placed on static display, providing plenty of interest for visitors. On Trams Today over the week ahead, as well as bringing you all the significant news that occurs, our two regular features will be continuing unchanged. Further members of the fleet of Midland Metro will be covered, featuring trams in three different liveries. Also, our look at 2003 will be continuing with further developments recorded from Blackpool in what was an eventful year for the last traditional tramway to remain in operation on the mainland. Once again, a warm welcome is extended to all those who have joined the page over the last week as the number of Trams Today followers continues to grow. I hope that you all enjoy the varied content coming up over the next few days and look out for that special announcement which will prove that our heritage tramways are more than capable of providing a surprise or two to add interest even in the depths of winter!
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 18:19:05 +0000
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