Blackpool 246
Former Blackpool 'streamlined' Burlingham bodied Leyland PD2, No246 was one of the many preserved buses that was to be seen at the former St Helens CT bus garage, which was operated by the North West Transport Museum (NWTM). Such was the demand for parking spaces that buses where literally 'shoe-horned' in, making access to some of them almost impossible.
From 1991, the collection was opened to the public for occasional viewing, but the old bus garage was quickly falling into disrepair and the roof became damaged. In 1994 the museum was closed to the public on the grounds of safety. The NWTM then began a campaign to save the building and to get it repaired. Combined with the backing and support of St.Helens Council, the Museum secured funding, enabling it to be renovated and turned into a proper exhibition hall. The NWTM re-open its doors to the public in late 2006.
For more information about the NWTM please go to:
www.hallstreetdepot.info/index.html
During the period when the building was being renovated, many of the buses parked inside had to be moved out. Clearly, when the Museum reopened, it could not be crowded out with buses in the way it used to be, so a great many of the vehicles left the museum for good, finding homes elsewhere. 246, was one of those vehicles.
The bus had been new to Blackpool Corporation in 1949, and remained in passenger service until 1967, when it was passed to Blackpool's Permanent Ways Department for use as a mobile office and workshop. In 1969 she was sold to Lister of Bolton, who used the vehicle as an office, but being an enthusiast himself, the bus was later placed under cover at St Helens. In 2004 the bus passed to the Lancashire Transport Trust (LTT) for continued preservation, and awaits restoration.
Photo: 27th February 1994.
For more information about 246 and the LTT, please go to:
www.ltt.org.uk/ourbuses/blackpool_246.html
Blackpool 246
Former Blackpool 'streamlined' Burlingham bodied Leyland PD2, No246 was one of the many preserved buses that was to be seen at the former St Helens CT bus garage, which was operated by the North West Transport Museum (NWTM). Such was the demand for parking spaces that buses where literally 'shoe-horned' in, making access to some of them almost impossible.
From 1991, the collection was opened to the public for occasional viewing, but the old bus garage was quickly falling into disrepair and the roof became damaged. In 1994 the museum was closed to the public on the grounds of safety. The NWTM then began a campaign to save the building and to get it repaired. Combined with the backing and support of St.Helens Council, the Museum secured funding, enabling it to be renovated and turned into a proper exhibition hall. The NWTM re-open its doors to the public in late 2006.
For more information about the NWTM please go to:
www.hallstreetdepot.info/index.html
During the period when the building was being renovated, many of the buses parked inside had to be moved out. Clearly, when the Museum reopened, it could not be crowded out with buses in the way it used to be, so a great many of the vehicles left the museum for good, finding homes elsewhere. 246, was one of those vehicles.
The bus had been new to Blackpool Corporation in 1949, and remained in passenger service until 1967, when it was passed to Blackpool's Permanent Ways Department for use as a mobile office and workshop. In 1969 she was sold to Lister of Bolton, who used the vehicle as an office, but being an enthusiast himself, the bus was later placed under cover at St Helens. In 2004 the bus passed to the Lancashire Transport Trust (LTT) for continued preservation, and awaits restoration.
Photo: 27th February 1994.
For more information about 246 and the LTT, please go to:
www.ltt.org.uk/ourbuses/blackpool_246.html