Lancastrian Transport Trust
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Raising the Standard
22nd February 2004
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Blackpool Standard 143 is to return to the rails after an absence of over 50 years. Withdrawn in 1957 it was converted to engineering car 3 (later 753) and withdrawn after a fire in its diesel generator in 1990. Donated to LTT in 2002, the body restoration commenced in late 2005.

Progress so far (* = latest):
Top deck stripped of works car fittings and floor slats
Lower deck interior stripped
Top deck removed and dispatched to contractor for reframing and re-roofing - presently in kit form awaiting reassembly
Lower deck sides stripped.
Lower deck lifted from underframe
Underframe cleaned and lifted from trucks
Underframe despatched to Bowers of Derby to renew some wasted sections
Underframe returned and body refitted
Platform framework dismantled, shot blasted and painted with some new sections produced
New canopy ends produced
New roofsticks fitted
Sundry parts remade for refitting as bodywork continues
Car moved July 2008 to more spacious working area
New platform end sections fitted July 2008
Reuseable platform frame metal sections and new hardwood sections fitted.
Trucks removed to Blackpool Transport for overhaul
New canopies fitted
Lower Side panelling fitted
Salloon floor cut, fitted and painted
Platform floor fitted
Side beading fitted
Staircases rebuilt and fitted
New seat boxes built and fitted
External pannelling completed
Internal pannelling completed
Ceiling panels fitted
Body painted
Windows glazed*

Nov 09: Side blind measured up
Nov 09: Side blind measured up
143_Blind_211109.jpg
2009-11-21 13:53:39
Nov 09: 143 now with windows and staircases
Nov 09: 143 now with windows and staircases
143_Glazed_211109.jpg
2009-11-21 12:17:23
July 09: 143 now with roof fitted. Glazing next.
July 09: 143 now with roof fitted. Glazing next.
143_200709_Paul_Turner.JPG
2009-07-20 13:25:00
Apr 09: 143's lower saloon panelling now complete
Apr 09: 143's lower saloon panelling now complete
Standard_143_250409.JPG
2009-04-25 09:00:00
Mar 09: The seat boxes have now been fitted into the lower deck.
Mar 09: The seat boxes have now been fitted into the lower deck.
143_p18.jpg
2009-03-27 00:00:00
Feb 09: First stair case, roughly in place
Feb 09: First stair case, roughly in place
Image037.jpg
2009-02-17 20:40:25
Feb 09: Salloon floor in place.
Feb 09: Salloon floor in place.
143_06_Feb_09_JM__1_.jpg
2009-02-01 12:28:00
Feb 09: Platform Flooring
Feb 09: Platform Flooring
143_06_Feb_09_JM__4_.jpg
2009-02-01 12:16:59
Nov 08: Canopy fitted, floor in progress
Nov 08: Canopy fitted, floor in progress
143_Canopy_LTT_Depot_151108.JPG
2008-11-15 13:43:00
Sept 08 - platforms making progress - flooring materials now arrived
Sept 08 - platforms making progress - flooring materials now arrived
Standard_143_140908.JPG
2008-09-14 10:47:49
July 08: Much of 143's interior woodwork has been fitted. Completed roof sticks are also visible
July 08: Much of 143's interior woodwork has been fitted. Completed roof sticks are also visible
143_Interior_150708_PT3.JPG
2008-07-15 20:05:31
July 08: 143 was moved within the LTT Depot to more spacious working area to allow refitting of the platforms
July 08: 143 was moved within the LTT Depot to more spacious working area to allow refitting of the platforms
143_On_Move_150708_PT.JPG
2008-07-15 19:47:58
New roof sticks have been fitted, alternate ones sit in metal channels, some of which have been renewed, others reused
New roof sticks have been fitted, alternate ones sit in metal channels, some of which have been renewed, others reused
143_Roofsticks_101107.jpg
2007-11-10 13:04:44
New canopy framework has been constructed by Festiniog Railway and has now returned
New canopy framework has been constructed by Festiniog Railway and has now returned
143_Canopy_101107.jpg
2007-11-10 13:03:09
143's underframe left for repair work at Bower's derbyshire on 14 Feb
143's underframe left for repair work at Bower's derbyshire on 14 Feb
143_underframe_140207_MP.jpg.jpg
2007-02-15 12:04:12
Jan 07 - underframe now separated from trucks and awaiting repairs
Jan 07 - underframe now separated from trucks and awaiting repairs
143_Underframe_160107.jpg
2007-01-16 00:00:00
Sept 06 - lifting the body from the underframe
Sept 06 - lifting the body from the underframe
143_BodyLift_090906.jpg
2006-09-09 00:00:00
May 06: Lower deck is now extensively stripped - even the roof is back to its bare roof sticks
May 06: Lower deck is now extensively stripped - even the roof is back to its bare roof sticks
143_04.jpg
2006-05-13 13:00:00
143's top deck has now been removed for rebuild elsewhere. The lower deck sides have been stripped and the ends will follow shortly
143's top deck has now been removed for rebuild elsewhere. The lower deck sides have been stripped and the ends will follow shortly
143_01.jpg
2006-05-01 16:00:00
143's top deck was separated 82 years after the two halves were mated during construction. It is shortly to be taken away for rebuilding back to original format
143's top deck was separated 82 years after the two halves were mated during construction. It is shortly to be taken away for rebuilding back to original format
143_TopDeckSplit_LTTDepot_190306.jpg
2006-03-19 00:00:00
Arrival at Brinwell Road
Arrival at Brinwell Road
753_m2_arriving_Brinwell_Rd_13-04-03.jpg
2004-02-28 16:52:31
Loading in Blundell Street
Loading in Blundell Street
753_m1_loading__Blundell_St_13-04-03.jpg
2004-02-28 16:49:23
Awaiting the move to LTT Depot
Awaiting the move to LTT Depot
753_d3_stripped_in_depot.jpg
2004-02-28 16:43:40
Stored in the depot where it languished from 1990-2003
Stored in the depot where it languished from 1990-2003
753_d2_stored_in_depot.jpg
2004-02-28 16:41:34
 
Related Links: [ Blackpool Trams.info | Standard 143's page | Raising the Standard Project Page ]
 
Blackpooltrams.info
News, features and photos for everyone interested in Blackpool trams and the tramway