Fylde Tramway Society

The Fylde Tramway Society was founded in 1971 to support the retention and development of the Blackpool to Fleetwood Tramway. This was at a time when its future was becoming in doubt; after the demise of the inland routes in the 1960's, and the deepening threat at the end of the 1960's and early 1970's, the Fylde Tramway Society was born to campaign for its retention.

Since those early days the Society has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a membership of over 600 with members throughout the UK., Europe, the USA and the Commonwealth. 1996 celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Society. Today the Fylde Tramway Society is a fast expanding truly international Society, and is the only Society dedicated to the Blackpool tramway and its tramcars.

Over many years the Society has established an excellent relationship with Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. at all levels, and as a result has been involved in several major projects. The Centenary of the Blackpool Tramway in 1985 was celebrated by sponsoring open-top "Balloon" tram 706, "Princess Alice", and its repainting into original livery. "Princess Alice" was returned to service after severe damage. More recent projects have included the transport of vintage trams to Blackpool, and sponsoring the return to service and repaint into 1930's style of "Open Boat" tram 605. The much-loved and admired "Coronation Car" 660 was sponsored for a complete overhaul and refurbishment to near original condition.

For the 1998 Tramroad Centenary celebrations the Society sponsored a further re-paint of 660, together with the overhaul and repaint of the unique low-sided boat car 600 for return to service in Blackpool. The Society also sponsored the restoration of B&F Rack 2 of 1898 at the National Tramway Museum.

The Fylde Tramway Society arranges a wide range of interesting events for its members as well as the publication of a monthly magazine, Fylde Tramway News, free to all members. This includes articles on all the latest news and information on Blackpool's trams and buses, together with features on the history of the trams and the tramway. Blackpool was of course Britain's first electric tramway in 1885, and also the last surviving conventional tramway to operate a full year round public service in the UK. There is also extensive coverage of tramway developments elsewhere, including the recent rebirth of the "super" tram in the UK.

Members of the Fylde Tramway Society are also able to enjoy interesting tours and events. These include the popular "Annual Convention Weekend" with tours, a depot visit, Annual dinner with guest speaker at a top Blackpool Hotel and a film show. Other events and tours are arranged throughout the year and include an "Illuminations tram tour", and a festive "Christmas tram tour". In addition to these, visits are arranged to ride and look behind the scenes of other tramways. Members have recently enjoyed tours and visits of both Metrolink in Manchester and Supertram in Sheffield. Members are also able to attend regular monthly meetings, featuring slides or video/film shows on tramways and transport from all eras. These are heldevery first Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 PM at the "Wings Club", Victoria Road West, Cleveleys; only a short walk from Cleveleys tram stop!

For all this and more, why not join us today and become a part of this fast growing and active Society?

From time to time we will bring you some of the best articles from our monthly FTN magazine. If you are not yet a member of the Fylde Tramway Society and would like to get last minute information about the Fylde's Tramway and articles like those shown here ... WHY NOT JOIN TODAY? Simply select "Membership" on the menu.

Please note that the following text has been scanned from the printed FTN and the OCR software used to "read" the text may have made a few errors which we have not found yet...

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FTN309 "Time to decide on a future for 719!"

With the Spring service barely a few days old, double deck car 719 was back in use on the timetabled Fleetwood service on 19th April following winter hibernation. Much has been written before about the unsuitability of this tram for timetabled service, but with a new season almost upon us, it is perhaps time to reiterate these points.

719 is still known as the 'Walls Ice Cream tram'. Created in 1996 from Balloon car 719 to meet a unique advertising contract, it included an ice cream counter (and associated freezers and sink) in one half of the lower deck, and onboard staff to dispense Walls ice cream products to the captive audience. Small tables were provided between the odd style fixed seating, whilst the upper deck end windows were replaced by fixed panels and a giant ice cream cone on the outside. It was never a great success, as many passengers didn't appreciate the 'hard sell' from the Walls representatives, who operated the business on a franchised basis. Nor did they appreciate the lack of a forward view from upstairs, which caused many passengers to come straight back down again, particularly during the illuminations. Nevertheless, it was a unique idea, and the tram plied mainly between Pleasure Beach and North Pier during the summer.

By April 1999 the counter had been removed and new seats of a different design were fitted throughout the lower deck in a two and one arrangement, providing a small lower deck capacity of just 34, instead of the 40 on a standard Balloon. Indeed, the overall capacity of 719 is only 78 (94 on the un-refurbished cars). Following the removal of the counter the tram began to see more general use, and as it is fitted with halogen headlamps and heaters, became a regular performer on timetabled service. The contract was renewed in 2001, but is now expired.

A future for 719 now needs to be decided, which will hopefully involve conversion into something more practical, or transferring to store. Whilst accepting that it was only rebuilt as recently as 1996, and that the underframe will be in a good condition, the interior is grubby and outdated and the lower deck seating uncomfortable, and don't forget the lack of a forward view! With only 78 seats the tram is not much use, and it is time to accept that 719 is not suitable for daily use on the core service.

There are now ten refurbished double deckers available for the summer Fleetwood service, plus five Twin cars. So, BTS, can we please banish 719 from service?

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FTN308 - Chairman's message - "Monthly Meetings"

For some time the committee of the Fylde Tramway Society have been concerned about the declining number of members who attend the meetings at the Wings Club in Cleveleys on the first Thursday of each month. We already realise that there have been problems with the last minute unavailability of the speaker on more than one occasion during the last twelve months, and that this, combined with the fact that we have not been able to publicise the content of some meetings far enough in advance, may well have affected numbers. Even so, there are less people taking slides, which limits the variety of topics we are able to offer in the programme and this has contributed to the decline in popularity of the meetings for some time.
I would be grateful if you could let me know, either by letter or at any future meeting, of anything we can do to make the monthly meetings more attractive. We will be considering the purchase of equipment to enable digital photos to be displayed, at some time in the near future, but would not wish to spend society funds on this if the number of members benefiting from this is minimal. Another suggestion made in the past is for the meeting date to be moved to a different day of the week, but this may cause us to lose those for whom Thursday is a convenient night.
I look forward to hearing your views on this, particularly if you feel that you could be persuaded to join us at the meetings, or indeed if you already do so. If you have any suggestions as to how the meetings can be made more attractive then please contact me at 330 Broadway, Rossall, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8BA. If you have any suggestions for speakers/topics at future meetings then please contact the Secretary, Martyn Weaver, 28 Key Way, Fulford, York YO19 4QS. Harold Blythe, Chairman

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FTN307 "2006 Events Diary" - by James Blythe (Blackpool events are listed in our online calendar)

East Anglia Transport Museum
The Museum is open Sundays and Bank Holidays 2 April to 1 October, (1100 to 1700), Thursdays and School Holidays between 6 April and 28 September (1400 to 1700), and on Saturdays between 3 June and 30 September (1400 to 1700). Admission is £5.00 for Adults, £4.00 for Senior Citizens and Children £3.50. Further information is available from the Museum's website:
www.eatm.org.uk
10/11 - June Steam and Vintage Weekend
9 July - 2006 Bus Event
9/10 September - Trolleybus Weekend 2006

Beamish
The North of England Open Air Museum is open Tuesdays to Thursdays and Weekends until 31 March and between 30 October and 10 December (1000 to 1600). Open daily 1 April March to 29 October (1000 to 1700). Admission is £16 for Adults, £12.50 for Senior Citizens, and £10 for Children. Admission is £6 each until 31 March and £6 each from 30 October.
A number of event days are held, and the transport related ones are listed below. Further details at: www.beamish.org.uk
30 April - Power from the Past
6/7 May - Steam Glorious Steam
14 May - Morgan Car Meet
4 June - MG Car Display
10 September - Alvis Car Day
24 September - Classic Car Day

Crich Tramway Village
This year sees the return of the Lancashire and Yorkshire event, a great chance to ride on the Blackpool Cars. Also for the enthusiast are the popular Tramathon, Starlight Specials and Enthusiasts Day. The delayed launch into service of Leeds 345 will take place on 1 April.

The popular 1940s themed weekends return marking the with a Battle of Britain event over Easter weekend, and the usual 1940s Weekend in August. Other themed weekends are Edwardian, Rock 'n' Roll (1950s) and The Jazz Years (1920s/30s). A number of car events also feature.
The trams expected to be available for service are: Blackpool and Fleetwood 2, Gateshead 5, Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22, Blackpool 40, Southampton 45, Johannesburg 60, Paisley 68, Sheffield 74, LCC 106, Blackpool 167, Leeds 180, Oporto 273, MET 331, Leeds 345, Leeds 399, Sheffield 510, Leeds 602, Glasgow 812, Liverpool 869, Halle 902, Glasgow 1297, LPTB 1622, and Berlin 3006.
16/17 April - Battle of Britain
23 April - Morris Minor Day
30 April/1 May - 1950s Rock'n' Roll Weekend
13/14 May - Models Weekend
28/29 May - Folk Festival
11 June - Tramathon
25 June - Emergency Vehicles Day
8/9 July - Edwardian Weekend
16 July - Mini Meet
29/30 July - The Jazz Years-1920s and 30s
30 July - Austin Seven Day
6 August - Lancashire and Yorkshire Day
12/13 August - VJ Day 60th Anniversary
27/28 August - Transport Extravaganza
3/4 September - Decadence and Depression
3 September - Ford Capri Day
10 September - Classic Ford Day
17 September - Beetle Drive
30 September - Enthusiasts Day
28 October - Starlight Halloween
5 November - East Germany Day
9/10 December - Santa Specials and Street Fair
The Museum is open weekends until 26 March and from 4 November to 17 December (1030 to 1600) and daily from 1 April to 29 October (1000 to 1730). Admission prices are Adults £9.00, Children £4.50, Senior Citizens £8.00.

Seaton Tramway
The Seaton Tramway is open weekends from 4 March to 26 March and 4 November to 24 December (also 21/22 December). Daily operation commences on 1 April and continues until 3 November. Special events for 2006 are detailed below, and timetable, fare and further event details are available on the Tramway's website: www.tram.co.uk
10 June - Annual Vintage Vehicle Rally
11 June - Gala Day
2 September - Seaton Carnival
9 September - Colyton Carnival
21/22 October - End of Season Gala
17/21/2/3/4 December - Santa Specials

Birkenhead
The Birkenhead heritage tramway is in operation on Saturdays and Sundays, 1 pm to 5pm April to October and 12pm to 4pm November to March, also Wednesday to Sundays during the Easter, Spring half term and summer school holidays (1 pm to 5pm). Further details are available from the Tourist Information Centre at the Woodside Ferry terminal, 0151 647 6780.

Heaton Park Tramway
The tramway will commence operation for 2006 on Sunday 30 April. The tramway will the operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays between 1300 and 1700 up to and including Sunday 24 September.
On 22 and 23 July the Festival of Model Trams will be held at the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport. Trams will operate on both days between 1000 and 1700, and a free vintage bus service will operate between the Park and the Museum. The Trans Lancs Rally, organised by the Manchester Museum of Transport, will be held at Heaton Park on Sunday 3 September. There will be over 200 vehicles on display and the tramway will be in operation.

Llandudno Transport Festival
The Llandudno Transport Festival will take place at Bodafon Fields over the May Bank Holiday weekend (29/30 April and 1 May). This will feature the Crosville Centenary Celebrations and a shuttle bus service to the Victorian Extravaganza, being held in the town streets.
At 1030 on Sunday 30 April the Crosville Centenary Road Run will depart from the Rhyl Events Arena for the Transport Festival Showground. Further details are available at: www.llantransfets.co.uk

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FTN306 "Cosmetic Restoration of 8" - by James Millington

It has long been the wish of the Eancastrian Transport Trust (ITT) to restore an OMO car for display in Blackpool. This often overlooked class is a valuable piece of the jigsaw that is the history of the Blackpool tramway, and it was felt crucial that one be acquired and restored to take its place in any future visitor attraction.

The story of OMO car 8's cosmetic restoration is a long and drawn out saga, and indeed is a story which is not yet complete. However, with the recent move of the tram from Blackpool Transports (BTS) Rigby Road premises to the LTTs own restoration workshop at Marton, the time is right to report on the story so far!
In May 2006 it will be 14 years since OMO 8 last ran in passenger service in Blackpool. Since that time the tram has mainly resided at the rear of the tram depot, gradually being cannibalised of parts, and falling into general disrepair. It will be remembered that at this time BTS were intent on retaining an OMO car themselves for future restoration and re-use, in much the same way that Coronation car 660 was retained by the undertaking. Towards the late 1990s however, BTS had given up on this plan, intending to focus instead on the major overhaul of Railcoaches and Balloons which it was felt would offer a greater return on the vast amounts of money being spent upon them.

At the turn of the 21st Century, OMO cars 5 and 8 remained in store at Rigby Road, but by June car 5 had departed for the Tramway Museum Society's Clay Cross store, where the tram remains to this day.

Following an approach to BTS, OMO 8 was very generously donated to the LTT in February 2002, and at that time the LTT were hopeful that an appeal for funding would allow the car to be restored, possibly remaining at BTS and being allowed to operate on a limited mileage basis on enthusiast tours and at special events.

However, for the time being car 8 was safe, remaining at the rear of the tram depot where it had been stored for 10 years already. The LTT were busy concentrating on other projects during 2002, not least on restoring Coronation car 304 for the Salvage Squad television programme. The intervening years have seen the Trust concentrate their efforts on acquiring and developing their own premises at Brinwell Road, Mereside, and on the continued restoration and maintenance of the preserved buses within the collection.

During 2004 an appeal for funds for a restoration of car 8 was launched with the aim being a two phase project, initially focusing on a cosmetic makeover, with restoration to operational condition happening at some point in the future.

Overhaul work on the tram was discussed with BTS, who agreed that the tram could be accommodated within their own workshops at some stage during 2005. An initial strip down of the car during June
indicated that framework repairs would be required prior to a complete re-panel. Following more informed discussion with BTS it was agreed that the tram would receive a full re-pane! and a complete repaint but would then be trnsferred to the LTTs own premises for the completion of the cosmetic restoration.

Car 8 was fully re-panelled during August and September, prior to being admitted to the paint shop for a repaint in original style Plum and Custard livery. The completed vehicle was rolled out of the paint shop on 18th October.

Meanwhile the LTT had been contacted by the owners of sister car 10, which had resided in a conference centre near Reading for nine years, but was due to be scrapped as surplus to requirements. LTT volunteers paid a visit to Reading during October to salvage all the remaining fixtures and fittings which were needed to complete number 8, including a full set of saloon glazing, taken from 8 during the 1 990s for reuse in Railcoaches.

The glass was delivered to BTS by LTT volunteers in early November, and BTS then moved 8 back into the body shop to re-fit the glazing on their behalf.

It was agreed that the LTT would remove OMO 8 to their own premises at some point during December 2005, and prior to the delivery of the Tram Power City Class tram. Therefore on 18th December number 8 became the last of its class to depart from Rigby Road when it was winched aboard the Allelys Heavy Haul low loader and driven the short distance to its new home in Marton, taking in the Lytham Road tram route on its way!

The car now sits on purpose built rails, cleverly devised by Don Penny and Eric Berry, awaiting full completion of its cosmetic restoration.

What Next?
Now that 0MG 8 is safely housed at the UT's storage and restoration workshop at Brinwell Road, Marton, full completion of the tram's cosmetic restoration can be progressed.

The car, although looking resplendent externally, is absolutely filthy inside and will require a very heavy clean to bring it up to acceptable standards. It is intended to remove the internal lining panels and the seat frames from the tram and replace them with those salvaged from sister car 10, which are in much better condition.

Head and tail lights have been refitted, and the cab areas will be tidied up to improve their appearance. The platform doors are currently under repair as they were badly corroded, but these will be painted and re-fitted in due course to further enhance the appearance of the tram.

Although it is accepted that in its current location there is little scope to make car 8 into an operational tram just yet, the cosmetic restoration of the car has really turned around the fortunes of this particular tram, and of the OMO class in general. It has become the first of its type to ever receive any restoration work, and is the only one of the two survivors which the public will be able to view.

The completed tram will form an important feature at future LTT depot open days, the next of which is to be held at Brinwell Road on Sunday 19th March. Come along and see OMO 8 for yourselves!

The UTT deserve credit for another quality tramcar restoration, please continue to support the Blackpool Tramcar Preservation Fund, see www.ltt.org for further details.

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FTN305 "Engineered Like No Other" (The Blackpool Unimog story) - by Paul Turner

Back in 1982 Blackpool bought its first road-rail vehicle a Mercedes Benz Unimog numbered 440 (YFV577Y). Prior to this Blackpool s tower wagon fleet had been somewhat prosaic. Some former buses were used and there were several new build vehicles. Post war purchases were two Karriers 238/9 of 1948 which were joined by 1937 Leyland Tiger bus 6 in 1957, renumbered 240 lasting until 1964. In 1966/7 238/9 were replaced by two secondhand Guy Vixen s (240/1) purchased from Manchester where they maintained trolleybus wiring. In 1975 a new Leyland Redline numbered 243 (HFR438N) was purchased and in 1979 439 UHG437V a Bedford TK750 was purchased. The 400 series had been adopted for ancillary vehicles by this time 240/1/3 becoming 440/1/3 respectively. 440/1 lasted until around 1981, 443 departing in 1987 and 439 i n 1994.

The Unimog was intended to replace overhead line car 754 as well as the Guys. The make is remarkably long lived having been developed in 1946, with production starting in 1948 initially by Boehringer, but by Mercedes Benz since 1951. Over 300,000 have been built. Blackpool s arrived in November 1982 at a cost of £35,000 with a body by Rawlinson of Blackburn who had built 439 and 443 s cabs and towers. It retained continental left hand drive, however and entered service in early 1983 and was literally a multi purpose vehicle. As well as providing access to the overhead, it could tow trams and also had a demountable brush for sweeping sand off the Promenade!

Initial teething troubles saw it derail when the brush was not fitted, so additional weights were fitted. After ten years it was fully overhauled and repainted during spring 1993, once new engineering car 754 had arrived to relieve the pressure caused by the withdrawal of 753 in 1990. It was supported in its duties by 441 (D801 CTP) built by Bruff with Bedford units as a combination road rail tower wagon with crew accommodation. Interestingly a sister vehicle D802CTP runs for Amey Infrastructure Services and the batch reached at least D811CTP with various owners. 441 arrived in November 1986 and replaced 443.

Renumbered 940 in 1996, the Unimog continued in front line service with the Bruff as support (as 941) but the writing was on the wall in December 2002 when a second hand Unimog was purchased. This later model, dating from 1992, was imported from a European operator and arrived in a blue livery with a gold stripe. By contrast to 940/1 it had a bucket hoist, rather than a conventional tower. It was not until September 2004 that the vehicle saw regular use, after commission tests and various modifications. On arrival it carried registration K985EEC but this was modified to J271TEC by the time it entered service.

The pioneer Unimog was finally retired during summer 2005 followed by the Bruff in November. Initially it was believed that Unimog 940 would be rebuilt and retained, but the opportunity was taken to purchase 938 (Q204HFR) another Unimog from Brecknell Willis, latterly at Midland Metro. This, disused for some time, dates from around the same time as 940 or it maybe even older its makers number being 029065, compared to 088063 for 940 and 172544 for 939. Regardless, it is being overhauled with parts recovered from 940 and will take its place eventually alongside 939.

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FTN304 "Boat Car Renaissance" - by Tony Caddick

If you ask any tram enthusiast about their favourite type of Blackpool tram then there is a very good chance that the ever popular open Boat Cars will be near or at the top of the list. Also for countless visitors over the last seven decades these fine cars bring back happy memories of sunny days riding up and down the promenade and also on the long lost circular tours via Squires Gate and Marton - happy days indeed!
So it was with some dreaded anticipation and sadness when the announcement came last November that included amongst the twenty five trams to be mothballed were all five of the Boats. The future did indeed look bleak, warm summer days on the promenade and no Boats one of the joys of life lost forever?

The first signs of better news came when Blackpool Transport (BTS) agreed to the hire of 604 and 605 for tours over the May Convention weekend. The smiling faces on board green livened 605 on the Saturday evening as she made two trips to Fleetwood told their own story, and despite a few problems with 604 on the Monday tour, at least BTS were now making encouraging noises about some of the cars being reactivated in the event of a prolonged spell of fine weather.

Thankfully the fabulous weekend of the new Totally Transport event on New South Promenade in late June saw beautiful sunny weather, especially on the Sunday of the event, and both 604 and 605 were out again, keeping the superb 304 company on the shuttle service from Talbot Square to Starr Gate on this amazing day.
To be honest it was with some trepidation that I booked my traditional pre- Tram Sunday holiday. Last year was rather disappointing (no Boats out!) with the Monday to Friday service, apart from Fleetwood Market Tuesday, only having the 12 service cars out on most days with very few specials. Even the most diehard enthusiast can still get bored riding and photographing the same trams all day!

Still, encouraged by the news in the FTN of plans to decorate 700 and 706 for a VE ceremony on the Sunday, and a rather encouraging weather forecast I arrived in Blackpool to be greeted by the wonderful news that 602 had just been re-instated. After a ride on Bolton 66 to the Cliffs to book in at my hotel, it was back out onto the sun-drenched prom in search of Boats. I didn t have to wait long, within a few minutes 604 hummed up the Gynn Hill to the Cabin, the coloured bunting attached to its trolley pole gave the tram a very summery feeling. 605 was soon passed at the Tower, before 602 was tracked down on the Pleasure Beach loop, looking immaculate in her very clean yellow and black handybus livery. All three cars stayed out into the evening on a very busy day on the prom.

Sunday saw the town extremely busy for the VE Day celebrations, but the morning started off badly on the tramway with 147 derailing at the Tower. Thankfully this did not prevent 604 and 605 appearing, although on this day they probably played second-fiddle to the immaculate pairing of 700 and 706. Both of these cars were adorned with Union Flags and bunting and both looked quite resplendent on what was probably Blackpool s busiest day for many years. Both Boats earned their keep into the evening.

As mentioned earlier, after last year s holiday I was a bit nervous on the Monday morning about tram output. After all, despite the glorious weather, most of the children were still at school. However, on reaching the prom after the usual hearty breakfast, could see the amazing sight of three Boats! 602 was heading south at the Gynn whilst 604 was waiting to enter the middle line at Cabin which was occupied by 605! Needless to say, Boat car riding was the order for the rest of the day!

The traditional Fleetwood Market Tuesday saw just 604 out, but it managed a busy morning trip to Fleetwood (behind 706), returning to Pleasure Beach where it was commandeered by the Inspector and sent to Starr Gate as cover for a delayed 724. Another hot and busy afternoon for 604 on prom specials followed. This was also the evening when 706 famously took over from 721 on Cleveleys timetabled service and stayed out until after midnight.

As the fine and sunny weather maintained its grip on the Fylde Coast, 602 and 605 were out on the Wednesday (605 managing a trip to Fleetwood), with all three out on the Thursday. However, all good things come to an end and a cooler and breezier Friday saw three Railcoaches out on specials instead, and the three Boats lined up on the depot fan being washed! However the rumourmill was again rolling into action by Friday evening speculating that 600 was being prepared for a return to service, fingers crossed!

Saturday morning dawned with similar weather conditions to Friday, so imagine my surprise upon reaching the end of King Edward Avenue to see 600 loading at the Cliffs stop for Pleasure Beach! Thankfully there was a long queue enabling me to cross the road and catch it. Despite the not very encouraging weather Little Willy was joined on prom specials by 602 and 605. Thankfully, what must have been a close decision between sending Boats or Railcoaches out was vindicated by the return of the sun during the afternoon.

Once again Tram Sunday dawned sunny and warm, and 605 was in the procession of trams from Talbot Square to Fleetwood. 600 and 602 were also out on prom specials and managed late afternoon trips to Fleetwood helping to clear the crowds left behind by star of the show (again!), 304.
My homeward day on the Monday saw a damp start to the morning with 626, 631 and 678 out on specials, and the Boats having a well earned rest.

So, the end of a memorable week. Subsequent reports suggest that the four Boats have been regular performers during August and early September. Indeed, although the weather deteriorated as we moved into October, efforts were made to use these whenever possible with 600 and 605 running illumination tours on 15th October. The final use for the 2005 season occurred from car 605 which put in a last brief stint as late as 27th October. 2005 has certainly been a busy year for the four active examples, and now some of them must be clocking up their highest mileages for many years?

Hopefully this marks a change of fortunes for the Boats with the threat of mothballing hanging over them now lifted for the foreseeable future, we can but hope. The trams themselves seem to be in a reasonable condition, especially compared to some of the Balloon cars, and still seem to be reliable in service. The crews appear to enjoy driving and conducting them too, and last but not least the passengers also seem to enjoy the experience of riding on them. As has been said many times before, the Boats tempt people to take a tram ride who would perhaps normally walk or find alternative transport (taxi), and are an asset to BTS and Blackpool as a whole, which should be capitalised on.

I appreciate BTS may have a dilemma regarding putting out advertising contract cars on a regular basis, but on a warm and sunny day a journey on one of the notoriously overheated and sweaty Railcoaches with their severe lack of opening windows is never a pleasurable travelling experience, and will not attract many passengers. Experience suggests the Boat cars are the ideal vehicle for warm and sunny days,
and hopefully the passenger loadings this summer will reinforce the argument.

Most English seaside resorts still have some kind of open top bus service on offer these days. Indeed, a recent visit to Scarborough on a very dank and drizzly Easter Monday earlier this year saw eight such vehicles out on a 5-minute headway, still doing good business. Apart from the City Sightseeing operation, there have been no open top buses in Blackpool since the last of the ex-Fylde Blue Buses were retired a few years ago. However, in my opinion BTS do have the most unique and popular open top vehicles in this country, and they should use them as often as possible, weather permitting of course.

Thanks to BTS and Steve Burd for running the Boat cars again this year. I do hope it has been deemed to be a success? This time last year I was feeling quite depressed about the situation but who knows, more fine weather next year and perhaps 607 can rejoin its sisters on the promenade in another Boat car renaissance.

American Interlude
Three Boat cars are preserved in the United States, with 601, 603 and 606 having been exported in 1971, 1985 and 2000 respectively. Whilst the four active Blackpool based examples have had a busy year, the three American Boats have had a much quieter time.

601 is currently stored out of use at Rio Vista, California. The tram is awaiting repairs to defective motors.

603 has been a stalwart of San Francisco s F line for a number of years, and was converted to comply with US disability regulations during 2002. This involved the removal of a platform bulkhead to allow wheelchair access into the saloon. The car is out of use with underIrame defects but should return next year.
606 is now in store following the closure of the Trolleyville Museum in Ohio. It is hoped that a home can be found for the Trolleyville collection on Cleveland s waterfront.

Fleet Status:
600: Retained in Blackpool. Currently part of the active fleet. Carries original 1934 livery as applied in 1998 when sponsored by FTS.

601: Preserved at Rio Vista,
California, USA. Carries plain 1950s
style livery and original fleet number
226.

602: Retained in Blackpool. Currently part of the active fleet. Carries yellow and black Handybus livery as applied in 1999.

603: Preserved at the Market Street Railway, San Francisco, USA. Carries original 1934 livery and original fleet number 228.

604: Retained in Blackpool. Currently part of the active fleet. Carries 1990s style green and cream fleet livery as applied in 1999.

605: Retained in Blackpool. Currently part of the active fleet. Carries 1940s style wartime green and cream livery, as applied in 1999.

606: Preserved at Trolleyville USA, Ohio. Carries yellow and blue Seagull Coaches livery as applied in Blackpool during 1999.

607: Retained in Blackpool. Currently stored as part of the mothballed fleet. Carries Travelcard advert livery, as applied in 1997.

Note: All cars have EE 327 (4Ohp) motors. 600, 606 and 607 fitted with EE DB 1 controllers, 602, 604 and 605 have EE 76 controllers from scrapped OMO cars. 601 and 603 retain 8TH B18s (601 - retro-fitted in place of EE DB1 sin 1971). 229, 230, 231 and 234 were scrapped in 1968 prior to renumbering

Our monthly magazine (FTN) regularly features the following columns:

- Works Report
- Blackpool Tramway News
- Blackpool Bus News
- Preservation News
- News & Reviews

From time to time FTN also features articles on trams & public transport in other parts of the UK and also abroad. Do you have any articles for our journal? Contributions of news, photographs and articles are always welcomed. Contact the FTN editor.

Below is a list of all the articles and news items that have appeared in our magazine "FTN" over the years...

FTN309 (5/06)
- repaints revealed over Easter holiday
- Spring tram service commences
- advert liveries slow to come in
- request for 611
- tram passengers left in the cold
- time to decide on a future for 719!
- Balloons in the news
- NoW passes
- RAIB report on Blackpool runaways
- summer bus service resume
- 350 for the track gang
- new Tridents expected
- line 2
- new look for Stagecoach Supertram
- Krefeld - Home of the last classic Duewags? (Peter Makinson)
- Leeds 345 launched

FTN308 (4/06)
- no change after review ofstored cars
- Balloons run as Pleasure Beach opens
- snowploughs out
- Pleasure Beach adverts stripped
- use those bells
- repairs for 726
- bodywork completed on 648
- stored railcoaches see daylight
- refresh continues
- changes planned for seasonal services
- Dublin Olympians arrive for conversion
- roadworks cause chaos
- minibus news
- trust throws open the depot doors
- return of the Tigerrific tram
- new underframe for Brush Railcoach 287/624
- why choose 622?
- a snowy day in Blackpool

FTN307 (3/06)
- active Railcoaches continue to
work hard
- driver competence retained on trams
- single line ends
- surprise as 622 is amongst new advert cars
- in the works
- 643 fitted with bus parking brake
- stored Railcoaches see daylight
- fares revised
- last Fylde Atlantean prepares to depart
- repaint for line 1 Olympians
- promenade bus service runs for Labour
- minibus news
- stored Atlanteans
- Summerlee - Scotland's only tramway
- help needed with Warrington 2
- Dudley pair sidelined for overhaul
- seats for 143
- 2006 events diary
- checking on Chester's trams
- London DMS

FTN306 (2/06)
- extra trams run throughout
christmas
christmas and new year private hires
- experimental cars
- Western Train project on hold
- trams on telly
- single deck news
- 717 awaits new underframe
- north pier trackwork on-going
- 147 progresses
- more Metro coastline repaints
- Dennis again
- Atlanteans
- christmas and new year services
- Liverpool 762 for totallyTransport 2006
- Lisbon 730 operates test runs
- and Wirral run six cars at once
- Crich update
- cosmetic restoration of 8
- a christmas Balloon
- gone, not forgotten - a future for Dreadnaught 59

FTN305 (1/06)
- Cleveleys needs serving on a
Saturday
- a special outing for 147
- single line working switches track
- progress on 648
- driver training routine changes
- winter trams
- 754 shows its versatility
- mothballed 708 is snow plough car
- Atlantean afterlife
- Tram Power City class tram
- engineered like no other (Unimogs 940, 939, 938)
- what is single line working?

FTN304 (12/05)
- Railcoaches and single line
working
- Box 40 repaired
- Blackpool trams star on Channel 4
- bulb fitted cars defy headlamp ban
- single deck news
- Trailer 682 derails al Little Bispham
- winter trackwork
- service changes summarised
- paint shop busy with metro repaints
- former Blackpool Routemasters
- ANs still busy
- Lisbon 730 moves under own power
- OMO10 sacrifices parts for sister car 8
- LTT secures 624

FTN303 (11/05)
- council submits GBP88m
Supertram bid
- contravision cars banned at night
- 761 loses advertising for Wilkinsons
- lights nights
- progress with 645 and 648
- stored for a year
- 717 stripped
- Twin Sets deputise for contravision cars
- railcrane released from fitting shop
- service fleet
- City Sightseeing finishes for 2005
- former Blackpool Atlanteans
- Duple Coach joins illuminations fleet
- night services
- Wirral bus and tram show 2005
- OMO 8 back in plum and custard
- 31 suffers motor fault at beamish
- PD2 joins trust
- enthusiasts day at Crich
- Brush Railcoach 298 arrives at Crich
- 2005 illuminations tour
-
FTN printing

FTN302 (10/05)
- latest Balloon refurbishment
back in use
- latest new look Centenary in paint
- feature cars out
- still a role for the Railcoach
- reliable Balloons
- 762 accident damaged at depot
- service fleet
- vintage cars
- oldest Deltas join Metro Coastline
- City Sightseeing Metrobus damaged
- stored Atlanteans return to use
- service update
- LTT secures funding for Standard 143
- 304 for November enthusiasts tour
- Geneva - The Light Rail revival in Switzerland
- Metrolink news

FTN301 (9/05)
- matching availability with demand
- 700 fitted with pantograph again
- frequent Boats
- 645 ready for paint as 648 stripped
- 21st Tram Sunday
- different fortunes of the Twin Cars
- single decks on flyers as kids break up
- 706 on service
- Atlanteans stored for the summer
- Delta repaints continue for line 6
- seasonal services stepped up
- Metroriders arrive from exile!
- Olympians
- Blackpool cars help celebrate VJ day (Crich)
- LTTs OMO car progresses
- Seaton Update
- Birkenhead trials intensive service
- Tatras in Prague (Harold Blythe)

FTN300 (8/05)
- is there a future beyond 2020?
- further mothballed trams return
- vintage cars
- yet more adverts
- Balloon 712 derails at Starr Gate
- Orion curve removed
- single deck news
- Atlanteans for Lytham Club Day
- Deltas receive repaints for line 6
- progress to report on OMO 8
- first totallyTransport a huge success
- trams help Blackpool remember
- do the mothballed cars have a future? (James Millington)

FTN299 (7/05)
- Is the Summer Service Meeting
Demand?
- lottery bid submitted for Western Train
- no more tram refurbishments?
- Boats run again
- 626 to receive new all over advert
- 713 takes shape
- more double deck adverts appear
- stored Brush cars used as driver trainer
- 645 to differ again
- oldest Olympian still at work on Prom
- Deltas
- exiled Metroriders
- Atlantean update
- Nightexpress
- 29 vehicles operateduring Tramathon (Crich)
- works starts at last on OMO8
- Hong Kong car in Liverpool livery
- other "Trust" trams
- TMS50 - the Golden Jubilee (James Blythe)
- Convention Weekend 2005 (John Clarkson)

FTN298 (6/05)
- A Day in Dresden (Peter Makinson)

FTN297 (5/05)
- Vambac Re-launch (James
Millington)
- Singing in the Rain (John Woodman)

FTN296 (4/05)
- By Tram to the Foxhall
- End of the Road (Member's Views)

FTN295 (3/05)
- no feature (but full of the new
regular news columns)

FTN294 (2/05)
- Special Event News &
Sailing to Fleetwood

FTN293 (1/05)
- The World's Longest Tram Journey
- Part 2 (Peter Makinson

FTN292 (12/04)
- The World's Longest Tram
Journey (Peter Makinson)
- 2004 Illuminations Tour Review (James Millington)

FTN291 (11/04)
- Welcom to Rigby Road (Paul
Turner)
- Future Fleet Policy (James Millington)

FTN290 (10/04)
- The Case of the Loose Wheen and
Blackpool 166 (David Baker)

FTN289 (9/04)
- More French Connections (Peter
Makinson)

FTN288 (8/04)
- A Visit to Birkenhead (James
Millington)
- From Lytham to Fleetwood by Pullman Car (John Woodman)

FTN287 (7/04)
- Blackpool's Streamliners: A
Pictorial Review (Martyn Weaver)
- 70 Years in one Page (Paul Turner)
- Back at BT (Harold Blythe)

FTN286 (6/04)
- Convention Weekend 2004 (James
Blythe)
- BTPF Update (Philip Higgs)

FTN285 (5/04)
- Obituary - Jim Shearer, 1930 to
2004 (Alan Kirkman)
- Midland Metro - The Next Step (Mark Fitchew)
Blackpool Tramway Simulator [Software] (Geoff Holt)

FTN284 (4/04)
- 2004 Convention Weekend Preview
(James Miilington)
- Toastrack 166 - How YOU can help! (Martyn Weaver)

FTN283 (3/04)
- 2004 Events Diary (James Blythe)
- 2004 AGM Notice (includes Nominations/Proposed Changes)

FTN282 (2/04)
- Summer Problems - a response
from our President and Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, Steve
Burd
- Metro Coastline Christmas Tour (James Millington)

FTN281 (1/04)
- Plauen - A Small Time Survivor
in Saxony (Peter Makinson)

FTN280 (12/03)
- Coronation Tour - Seeing
Double!! (James Blythe)
- Trams for the City of Culture? (James Blythe)

FTN279 (11/03)
- Nantes - A Modern System
Reaches Maturity (Peter Makinson)
- Illuminations Tour (James Millington)

FTN278 (10/03)
- 40 Years Since North Station by
Tram (Steve Palmer)
- Summer Problems (James Millington)

FTN277 (09/03)
- Zurich's New Trams (Steve
Grimwade)
- Separation (Malcolm Wright)
- TSO (FTS) Blackpool Tramcar Fund 166 - Appeal Update (Martyn Weaver)

FTN276 (08/03)
- Visit to Heaton Park and Mode
Wheel (Paul Turner)
- Amsterdam's Classic Artics (Paul Turner)

FTN275 (07/03)
- Crich Tramathon (Paul Turner)
- Preservation Round Up (Paul Turner)
- Light Rail Update
- Extending South yorkshire Supertram (James Blythe)
- Round Up

FTN274 (06/03)
- Round Up
- Convention Weekend 2003 (Bill Thomson)
- A Year of Progress (Philip Higgs)

FTN273 (05/03)
- Round Up
- Visiting Prague by Tram (Steve Palmer)
- Blackpool's National Tramway Heritage (Martyn Weaver)

FTN272 (04/03)
- Will You Joinn us for the
convention? (James Millington)
- Trams in the Rhine-Neckar Region (James Blythe)
- Round Up

FTN271 (03/03)
- Obituary Stuart L. Pillar (Tony
Depledge)
- 2003 Events Diary
- OMO 8 and the future (James Millington)
- Round Up

FTN270 (02/03)
- 2002 Grand Christmas Tourn
(James Millington)
- Final Tours on the Restored Cars 40 Years ago (Steve Palmer)
- 304 Back on the Prom (Paul Turner)
- Round Up

FTN269 (01/03)
- Peter Witts, Jumbos and
eurotrams - Variety in Milan (Peter Makinson & Ted Jones)
- Trolleyville USA (Lars F. Richter)
- Round Up

FTN268 (12/02)
- 304 Returns to Life (James
Millington)
- Switzerland Prepares to Say Goodbye (James Blythe)
- Round Up

FTN267 (11/02)
- 208 - Britain's PCC Success
(John Woodman)
- Marton After the Tram
- Round Up

FTN266 (10/02)
- Manx Update
- Round Up

FTN265 (9/02)
- A Hat Trick Down Under (Tom
Dugan)
- Round Up

FTN264 (8/02)
- Post-LRT Fleet - Consultation
Meeting (Philip Higgs)
- What Makes an Enthusiast? (Graham Oliver)
- Blackpoo's Next Generation Buses (Paul Turner)
- Round Up

FTN263 (7/02)
- Preservation News (Paul Turner)
- 2002 Convention Weekend (John Clarkson)
- Round Up

FTN262 (6/02)
- Centenaries Come of Age (Paul
Turner)
- The Rockets Final Mission (James Millington)
- Round Up

FTN261 (5/02)
- The Launch of 147 (James Blythe)
- OMO Car Afterlife (James Millington)
- Blackpool Tramcar Preservation Fund (Philip Higgs)
- Summerlee (Paul Turner)

FTN260 (4/02)
- Norbreck to Little Bispham Track
Renewal (Eric Berry)
- El Tranvia de València (Peter Makinson)

FTN259 (3/02)
- Tramway Upgrade Process
- 2002 Museum and Event Guide
- The Soller Tram (Howard J. Piltz)

FTN258 (2/02)
- Grand Christmas Tour (James
Millington)
- Douglas Horse Tramway 125 (Chris Pulling)
- Obituary: Graham Weaver (Steve Palmer)

FTN257 (1/02)
- Winter Weekends (James
Millington)
- Nottingham Express Transit (James Blythe)
- How Can You Help? (Martin Weaver)

FTN256 (12/01)
- Metrolink - Towards "The Big
Bang" (James Blythe)
- Preservation Profile - Burton & Ashby 14 (James Millington)
- News Round Up

FTN255 (11/01)
- A Tale of Three Cities -
Orléans, Montpellier & Lyon (Peter Makison)
- Preservation Profile - Box 40 (Paul Turner)
- News Round Up

FTN254 (10/01)
- 761 (Paul Turner)
- European Imports (Paul Turner)
- Light Rail Round Up

FTN253 (9/01)
- The Recovery of 722 (N. Kibby)
- Sheffield's Roberts Cars (Edward Marshall)
- FTS Tours (James Millington)

FTN252 (8/01)
- Demolition of Squires Gate Depot
-2- (Ian McLoughlin)
- Blackpool's Tramway Upgrade (Philip Higgs)
- A Tale of Two Weekends (Paul Turner)

FTN251 (7/01)
- Demolition of Squires Gate Depot
-1- (Ian McLoughlin)
- New Name for National Tramway Museum
- Beamish 2001 (Paul Turner)

FTN250 (6/01)
- Marton standard Tramcar 147 -
Progress Update -2-
- Behind The Scenes - 1971
- Fleet Changes 1971-2001
- 30 Years of Change
- Convention 2001

FTN249 (5/01)
- Marton Box 31 - 100 Years Old
- Birkenhead Tramway Open Day
- Porto Semi-Convertible 273
- Metro Coastlines

FTN248 (4/01)
- Around the Museums 2001
- A Seafaring Tradition (Railcoach 633)
- Round Up
- Marton 100 - A Look at the VAMBACs

FTN247 (3/01)
- The Return of 513
- Blackpool Tramway and The Local Transport Plan
- All Lines Lead to Blackpool (new bus network)
- Fylde Transport Visitors Centre (Thornton Gate)
- Corgi's New Blackpool Models (includes list of all models available)

FTN246 (2/01)
- Seven Surviving Standards
- News Round Up (Sheffield, Manchester, Midland Metro, Birkenhead)
- The 20th Christmas Tour

FTN245 (1/01)
- Museum News - Crich
- The Centenary Cavalcade, 15 years on
- Trams on the "super Highway" (Internet)
- Light Rail Update (UK News)
- Meeting Reviews (October to December 2000)

FTN244 (12/00)
- Metro Project (new Blackpool
Bus system)
- Arrivaderci Roma
- Hong Kong 168
- Brush Railcoach 298

FTN243 (11/00)
- The Return of 147
- Round Up (Blackpool Tramway Study, Metrolink, the Rocket)
- Former Blackpool Buses
- 660 - The Survivor

FTN242 (10/00)
- Then There Were Two - the
Western Train and the Rocket
- The 606 Story
- Gang Buses
- Preservation News (Leeds 345, Birkenhead, Lytham 70, MER, Boat 228)

FTN241 (9/00)
- Poznan, Improvement or Decline?
(James Millington)
- Festival of model Tramways 2000
- 101s to Blackpool
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach Monorail
- Preservation News (Crich, Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 7/305,
Lytham 70)

FTN240 (8/00)
- Where East meets West - the
Helsinki Experience (Pete Makinson)
- A Look at the Brush Cars

FTN239 (7/00)
- Absolutely Fabulous - A Tale of
Two Towns (John Woodman)
- Standard 147 Project
- Croydon Tramlink Update
- Tram Jamboree!

FTN238 (6/00)
- Another B-Tramway "Bratislava"
(Alan Hurst)
- A Tale of Two Weekends
- News Round Up (Tramlink Opens, Birkenhead Update, Crich News)

FTN237 (5/00)
- Corgi's Blackpool Trams (James
Millington)
- End of the Line for the 1959 Stock (Paul Turner)
- In the News (San Francisco, Manchester, Croydon, Squires Gate Depot,
Farewell to the Conductors)

FTN236 (4/00)
- A Backward Look (Paul Turner)
- El Tramvia Blau - Barcelona (Paul Elborn)
- Heritage Tramway Diary 2000

FTN235 (3/00)
- Vienna 1999 (Trevor Shears)
- Sheds Rule into Y2K - just! (Harold Blythe)
- Manx and Museum News (Manx Update, Crich & Birkenhead)

FTN234 (2/00)
- Hungarian Interlude (John
Woodman)
- Manx Electric News (Chris Pulling)
- Museum News (Glasgow & Crich)

FTN233 (1/00)
- Progress Twin-Cars
- Retrospect & Prospect - The Sequel
- Review of 1999
- News Round Up (MER, DLR, Crich)
- Blackpool Tram Preservation

FTN232 (12/99)
- Streetcars Highly Desired Part
2 - Switzerland (David Hitchen)
- Light Rail Update
- Former Buses Update

FTN231 (11/99)
- Streetcars Highly Desired -
Switzerland (David Hitchen)
- Blackpool Transport Bus Service Network
- Former Blackpool Buses

FTN230 (10/99)
- An Education in Public
Transport (Jonathan Mark Challis BSc.)
- Museum Piece - Beamish (Paul Turner)
- Light Rail Update

FTN229 (9/99)
- Developments in the North East -
Tyne and Wear Metro (James Millington)
- Shipwrecked at Cavendish Road... - Balloon 710 (Philip Higgs)
- News Round Up: First North Western & BT joint ticketing, News
from Crich, Tram Buffs Weekend, Winkleigh Open Day

FTN228 (8/99)
- Tram Spotting in Zürich
(Grant Wright)
- Museum News - Crich, Heaton Park, Brush Car 298
- Light Rail Update - Midland Metro, Tramlink
- Tram Sunday Review

FTN227 (7/99)
- Seaton Tramway to 2000 and
beyond (Paul Turner)
- Light Rail Round Up (Paul Turner)
- Going Solo! (James Millington)

FTN226 (6/99)
- Convention '99 (Paul Turner)
- Around the Museums
- Spring Scenes (Keith West)

FTN225 (5/99)
- on the Buses - 60's style (Peter
Makinson)
- News from Manchester (Simon Quayle)

FTN224 (4/99)
- A Tradition of Style - Part 2
(James Millington)
- A Railcoach Winter Wonderland (Paul Turner)
- Museum News

FTN223 (3/99)
- A Tradition of Style (James
Millington)
- Heritage Tramway Diary 1999

FTN222 (2/99)
- What the Papers Say (Tram
Sunday, Trampower, Ice Cream Tram)
- 633's lament
- Museum Piece - Willamette Shore Trolley + Museum News (Seaton, Crich)

FTN221 (1/99)
- The Most Exciting Tram Ride In
The World! (Andrew Hazelhurst)
- Marton Vambac 11
- Museum News - Crich
- Monorail for Trafford Park?
- Stagecoach Supertram

FTN220 (12/98)
- California Dreaming (Simon
Quayle)
- The Sintra Tramway
- Museum News - Coronation 304, Bus Preservation
- Midland Metro...

FTN219 (11/98)
- Steam 125 - The 1998
Celebrations on the Isle of Man (John Clarkson)
- The Birkenhead Tramway
- Museum News - Crich, Fylde Buses
- Metrolink Update (Simon Qualye)

FTN218 (10/98)
- Little Willy - 605 (Paul Turner)
- Black Country Museum (Paul Turner)
- Museum News - Seaton, Isle of Man, Crich, Railcoach Fund
- Balloons in camera (James Millington)

FTN217 (9/98)
- Official Tramroad Centenary
Postal Covers
- Blackpool's carbuncle tram - 707 (Steve Ramsden)
- Australia Revisited - Part II (Bendigo, Ballarat, Sydney - Tom Dugan)
- Slower trams at Blackpool
- UK News (Bristol, Midland Metro, Metrolink)
- Book review "Blackpool & Fleetwood - 100 Years by Tram"

FTN216 (8/98)
- Fleet Allocation (Buses at Rigby
Road and Squires Gate)
- Centenary week - in camera (Philip Higgs)
- Australia Revisited - Part 1 (Melbourne - Tom Dugan)
- Tramroad Centenary Souvenirs
- East to west - Glasgow 1245 (EATMS)

FTN215 (7/98)
- Blackpool Titan 351 moves
again...
- Boat 600 launched
- The impossible they do at once! (cars 2 and 167 at Crich - Philip
Higgs)
- More money for Docklands...
- Merseyside Rapid Transit?
- The departure of 147 (1968)

FTN214 (6/98)
- Snowdonia's Railways Revival
(Simon Quayle)
- Railcoaches in the seventies... (Photo feature)
- News (Sheffield Supertram, Trams returning to Gosport &
Fareham?, £10.5m bid to improve Blackpool's Transport)
- The Appearance of Stockport 5 (Steve Palmer)

FTN213 (5/98)
- Blackpool's Plastic Tram (Brian
Turner)
- Video Review - Blackpool Trams Part 2 1962-1984

FTN213 (4/98)
- Blackpool Tramway Access Study
- News (Supertram, Midland Metro, Fylde Coast Rapid Transit System,
Metrolink, London Underground)

FTN211 (3/98)
- Rack 2 - Progress Report (David
Beardsell)
- Tramroad Centenary Week - events schedule

FTN210 (2/98)
- Centenary Appeal Progress (Steve
Palmer)
- Metrolink Goes West
- News (Sheffield, Croydon, Birmingham, Newcastle, Docklands...)
- Tramroad Centenary Week - Proposed events

FTN209 (1/98)
- Blackpool & Fleetwood 2
- Progress Report
- A young Scot visits Blackpool...
- Trams Return to Barcelona
- Preservation - Vambac 11 Progress

FTN208 (12/97)
- The End... (Philip Higgs - his
last
FTN)
- Transport Policies & Programme
- Spotlight on 707
- L.T.T. launches TRANSSUPPORT
- Book reviews
- Tramroad Centenary Appeal (Steve Palmer)

FTN207 (11/97)
- Phoenix Update (Fleetlist of
this independent bus operator)
- Rebuilt Marton Box revisited (Philip Higgs)
- Fleetwood on the rack? a project for 1998... (FTS Committee)
- Rumors of our demise? - illuminated trams (Philipp Higgs)

FTN206 (10/97)
- Lisbon to Laxey? - MER no."360"
- (Simon Quayle)
- A Fitting Tribute Indeed! - OMO no.5 - (James Millington)

FTN205 (9/97)
- China's New Tramways (James
Blythe)
- Blackpool Brush Railcoach No.298 (from Keith Terry)
- Preservation Update - OMO car preservation (Philip Higgs)

FTN204 (8/97)
- Roadliner arrives in Blackpool
(Philip Higgs)
- Railway heritage in Blackpool (Philip Higgs)
- Crich Column (Simon Quayle)
- Light Rail Round-Up
- Rebuilding of 707 taking shape... (Philip Higgs)

FTN203 (7/97)
- Trams on the World Wide Web
- Towards a Century (Philip Higgs)
- Light Rail Round-Up
- Preservation Update... Railcoach 298, Vambac 11, Coronation 663

FTN202 (6/97)
- scenes from the 70's (Philip
Higgs)
- Profile of a Vice - President: Michael Morton (Philip Higgs)
- Balloon throwback... (Philip Higgs)
- Blackpool Exiles in Reading (Mike Dare)
- News Update... Lytham Atlantean, Swift 554

FTN201 (5/97)
- Book Review "By Trams to the
Tower" (Ian McLoughlin)
- and finally... (Brian Whaley - his last
FTN)

FTN200 (4/97)
- Letters to the Editor
- 2001 - a tram fantasy (Martin Shaw)

FTN199 (3/97)
- FTS Membership Review (Philip
Higgs)
- Night Life in Bangkok?!?
- The Rossall Diversion (Brian Whaley)

FTN198 (2/97)
- Christmas Caption Competition
- Letters to the Editor - OMO preservation
- Poetry "Trundle on"

FTN197 (1/97)
- Editor's Miscellany - Road
Train, Corgi Models, OMO 10
- The Future of the Tramway (Eric Berry)
- Blackpool Tram Memories (Dave McFarlane)
- Northern Exiles (James Blythe)
- Trams of Steel Update