MTBP (Chris Nelson) - York Bus Photos
Blackpool Transport 733 and 734 Illuminated Western Train Tram Car at Starr Gate
Having finished a morning of rare daytime journeys, including a tour to Fleetwood and back, the ABC Weekend Television illuminated Western Train is seen here at Starr Gate about to enter its temporary home at the new depot, passing by a Bombardier Flexity Swift 2 LRT tram in the process. A recent modification is the trolley tower and diamond pantograph for current collection, which replaces the trolley pole which has now been removed.... although tram purists may not particularly like its appearance, this modification is necessary to ensure the vehicle keeps running smoothly, elimating possible dewirements. This is only a temporary measure however, as a single arm pantograph from a now decommissioned Manchester Metrolink T68 tram is due to be fitted to this instead.
Originally 1936-built English Electric Railcoach 290, the loco of the ABC Weekend Television Western Train tram looks nothing like it did when brand new! Having had what you might call a heavy refurbishment, 733 was completely rebuilt into an illuminated feature tramcar, the front half of a twin-car designed to look like an American 'wild west' train. The set was withdrawn in 1999 due to serious structural problems, but following a grant from the lottery heritage fund it was overhauled and went back into service - and is now as popular as ever. Part of the works undertaken also saw this tram become the first dedicated heritage tram to have purpose-built facilities to accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair - there is a double door which forms half of the second illuminated 'wheel', and just before the painted-on fake door, which is opened to reveal a wheelchair lift.
Originally 1928-built Dick Kerr Pantograph Car 174 (when new called a 'Pullman' car), the trailer of the ABC Weekend Television illuminated western train still retains the classic look of the Pantograph car it once was - though in my opinion it has been enhanced by creating open viewing platforms at either end by removing the original glazing on what once were the driving cabs. It no longer has a trolley tower or trolleypole as these are not required due to it being permanently coupled to 733, but it does retain steering controls at the back - though these have been offset to one side so that extra seating could be fitted; the controls at this back end are only used at the end of the illuminations tours for the night when the tram is being driven empty in reverse formation back to the depot.
Blackpool Transport 733 and 734 Illuminated Western Train Tram Car at Starr Gate
Having finished a morning of rare daytime journeys, including a tour to Fleetwood and back, the ABC Weekend Television illuminated Western Train is seen here at Starr Gate about to enter its temporary home at the new depot, passing by a Bombardier Flexity Swift 2 LRT tram in the process. A recent modification is the trolley tower and diamond pantograph for current collection, which replaces the trolley pole which has now been removed.... although tram purists may not particularly like its appearance, this modification is necessary to ensure the vehicle keeps running smoothly, elimating possible dewirements. This is only a temporary measure however, as a single arm pantograph from a now decommissioned Manchester Metrolink T68 tram is due to be fitted to this instead.
Originally 1936-built English Electric Railcoach 290, the loco of the ABC Weekend Television Western Train tram looks nothing like it did when brand new! Having had what you might call a heavy refurbishment, 733 was completely rebuilt into an illuminated feature tramcar, the front half of a twin-car designed to look like an American 'wild west' train. The set was withdrawn in 1999 due to serious structural problems, but following a grant from the lottery heritage fund it was overhauled and went back into service - and is now as popular as ever. Part of the works undertaken also saw this tram become the first dedicated heritage tram to have purpose-built facilities to accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair - there is a double door which forms half of the second illuminated 'wheel', and just before the painted-on fake door, which is opened to reveal a wheelchair lift.
Originally 1928-built Dick Kerr Pantograph Car 174 (when new called a 'Pullman' car), the trailer of the ABC Weekend Television illuminated western train still retains the classic look of the Pantograph car it once was - though in my opinion it has been enhanced by creating open viewing platforms at either end by removing the original glazing on what once were the driving cabs. It no longer has a trolley tower or trolleypole as these are not required due to it being permanently coupled to 733, but it does retain steering controls at the back - though these have been offset to one side so that extra seating could be fitted; the controls at this back end are only used at the end of the illuminations tours for the night when the tram is being driven empty in reverse formation back to the depot.