Blackpool’s half cab buses gained classic bus status towards the end of their lives, but in fact it was not until 1965 that Blackpool adopted this conventional double deck bus design. Prior to this the town’s buses were unique full fronted models such as Nos. 246, 346 and 351 described earlier.

The half cabs came in two distinct batches between 1965 and 1968. Nos.381-400 introduced the type to Blackpool whilst 501-540 were delivered in 1967/8. Although the first to be withdrawn was in 1977, the type had relatively long lives with Blackpool Transport with the last examples operating in passenger service until November 1988. Three half cab PD3s are part of the core LTT collection, representing three stages in their development. Sister buses 515 and 540 are held as spares donors.

Blackpool 512
No. 512 (HFR512E) was one of 25 bought in 1967 replacing many of the centre entrance buses including our own 246. It entered service in June 1967 in the standard cream with green waistband livery, replaced at first repaint in the early 1970s with an all-over cream scheme. This later changed to a drab off-white but in 1982, 512 was one of three Titans used for livery experiments. The 1977 Atlanteans had increased the amount of green used and the Swifts were receiving a similar scheme. As part of the experiments, No.390 gained a green roof, window surrounds and waistband, 540 followed but without green lower deck window surrounds, while 512 only gained a green roof and waistband. 540’s scheme won and 512 was modified to match before it had a chance to see service in its experimental guise. Later still in 1987 it was painted in 1930s style red and white livery as used by ex London Routemasters on service 12.

512 survived until the end of PD3 operation in November 1988 and was sold along with sister bus 515 to London & Country and they were converted into driver training vehicles, although both later passed into preservation. After deteriorating into a poor condition because of outside storage, No. 512 was purchased by the Lancastrian Transport Trust in February 1998. It re-appeared in July the same year completely transformed back into 1970s cream livery sponsored by DAZ Washing Powder. It is presently out of service for further mechanical and body work.

Blackpool 516
516 joined the fleet at the same time as 512 and ended an uneventful service life in October 1984. It was immediately converted to a driver trainer. This involved the fitting of platform doors, the removal of most of its seats, installation of a partition in the lower deck and two raised seats behind the driver for the instructor/examiner. It returned to the road in December 1984, joining sister vehicles 520 and 532. It outlasted the withdrawal of the passenger fleet in 1988 and continued in use until August 1999.

In 1995 it suffered an engine failure and a larger 0.680 engine was fitted, which it retains today. On withdrawal it was purchased by LTT member Graham Oliver and is preserved as a driver trainer. In preservation 516 has had a full set of seats refitted, but retains its partition, and controls for driver tuition purposes and has been repainted in all-over cream livery. It is fitting that it is kept as a driver trainer as many of the older buses preserved in the UK – including several LTT buses – owe their existence to an afterlife as a driver trainer. It is also very useful for ensuring Trust driving standards are the highest possible.

Blackpool 529
The 1968 batch of PD3s were largely withdrawn in 1980/1 and were replaced by a batch of 86-seater Leyland Atlantean buses. 529 was taken out of service in August 1980 with the arrival of a further batch of Atlanteans, including 334 that is now part of the LTT collection.

It was stored until July 1981 when LTT member Graham Oliver acquired it for preservation - the first Blackpool PD3 so purchased. It was modified to match the original livery and rallied for a few years.

Blackpool 515 / 540
Two Blackpool PD3s are retained by LTT as a source of spare parts. They are former 515 and 540.