stewartingram Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Bit late with this I'm afraid, but last weekend Blackpool celebrated its 130 years of operation. Later in the week, I shall be uploading some photos I took; delayed I'm afraid by a couple of days work starting tomorrow, most inconvenient! I arrived on Friday , the weather was glorious sunshine, and I left mid-morning on Sunday. The refurbished modern tramway was a delight to use, all 16 Bombadier Flexity trams were seen in use, and were invariably well loaded throughout my stay. 2 guards (ie conductors) on each tram along with 2 more issuing tickets on platforms at busy times shows a healthy attitude to revenue protection. On the Friday it was a normal service, with the heritage trams operating a limited service in between the service cars; there were also a couple of "tubby" Balloon d/d cars out as well. On the Saturday and Sunday, all the heritage trams that would run were out, and well loaded. Spare cars were parked on the loop at Pleasure Beach, and cars were swopped over in service. I think there were actually more Heritage cars than Flexity trams. Pre-booked depot visits were also available, though as I hadn't booked I missed those. There was a "tubby" parked at the North Pier siding, selling souveniers as well, and a couple of Illuminated cars were in use too. A fantastic weekend, helped by the weather too. And a modern tramway in efficient mode, but allowing (effectively) a preservation operation to mingle with it. Most unusual. The number of staff involved in the heritage operation appeared quite large too, and all seemed enthusiastic. Well done Blackpool. Did anyone else attend? Stewart (will post the pics later this week) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 A little later posting than I expected, but lets get started, a large number of pics to go through. I started on Saturday by parking at Cleveleys, and whilst waiting for a service Flexity south, Centenary 642 headed north to Fleetwood from Starr Gate. A scene much reminiscent of its working life; however I think it is now appreciated more as a Heritage car than it ever was in service! It was a family trip, so my exploits were not as far reaching as I would have liked. However we all headed south to Pleasure Beach, and Balloon 715, owned by the Fydle Transport Society I believe, followed our Flexity. I was on this on the last day tours in 2011. 715 then headed for the loop at Pleasure Beach, to join an impressive line of cars. At this point, I will pause before loading some more pics later. The lineup on the loop will be covered. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 715 has joined the back of the queue at Pleasure Beach. Note the advert advertising Tram Sunday, a free event full of classic vehicles. Bolton 66 is a long term resident at Blackpool, rebuilt by enthusiasts from I believe its former use as a chicken shed. Balloon 723 was the 1st of the major refurbishments to the dd fleet, with rather austere improvements such as fixed bus seats. Here it is in a 1980s style of livery. Car 680 has a somewhat complicated history. Built in the 1930s by English Electric (as were the Balloon dd cars), it was a sd version of the balloons. Around 1960 it received new flat ends, and was paired with a brand new trailer car, as a Progress twin car set. Later the trailer was disposed of, and 680 ran again as a single car. Privately preserved, at Manchester Heaton Park (?) it has recently returned to Blackpool. Frigate 736 is one of the Illuminated feature cars, HMS Blackpool, rebuilt from an older car. Another view of 715. 227 is an open Boat car, painted in a livery based on that at Southport. A number of these cars have been exported for further use over the years. Flexity 011 passes through on route to the terminus at Starr Gate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Returning to the lineup on the loop, we find Progress Twin 272+T2 waiting to depart. Again the motor car was rebuilt from a former streamlined Railcoach, with a new trailer added. Initially, 272 retained 2 driving cabs as the intention was to uncouple the trailers at quiet periods. In practice, this never happened, so their use was hampered by the need to use turning loops. So the rear cab was transferred to the trailer car, making them easier to use. The set retains this feature but is painted in a livery similar to its introduction. Another view of Boat 227 Part of the celebrations also included vintage buses running on former tram routes. Former Blackpool Atlantean A362HHG passes Pleasure Beach. A couple more views of 272+T2 736 & 680 on the loop Privately preserved Centenary car 641 is plinthed at Pleasure beach. It last ran in orange livery, the colour of Blackpool FC, so carries a tribute to the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 We walked north from Pleasure Beach to the South Pier and Waterloo Road area, before catching another Flexity, to North Pier. Balloon 706 heads south at the pier. This car was rebuilt to working condition some years ago after a period of storage following a severe accident. The rebuild involved removing the roof, somewhat reminiscent of the as built condition of a number of Balloons, though with some modern changes. 272+T2 finally made it off the loop northwards. Flexity 012 & 003 head south. These trams seem difficult to get good pics of, probably due to the livery carried. Flexity 015 pulls into Waterloo Road for us to board it. A cab view on 015. During the journey we passed this modern bus in the old Ribble livery. A nice touch, presumably Stagecoach operated? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted October 3, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 3, 2015 Just one point, I think you are confusing north and south. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Just one point, I think you are confusing north and south. Possibly a typo, but where? Edit: found it. Correction made, along with odd spelling mistakes. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Upon arrival at North Pier, I spent some time between North Pier and Tower. 706 heads north, passing Centenary 648 going south. This car was the last traditional tram built in the UK some 30 years ago. A closer view of 648. Parked on the new siding loop outside the Wedding Chapel was "Tubby" Balloon 719, acting as a souvenier shop for the weekend. This car is one of a handful of Balloons still in active service (after 80 years) in the "B" fleet, supplementing the Flexity cars when required. It has modified doors enabling it use use the new platform stops. A contrasting view of 719 & 706. Centenary 642 makes another northbound journey, passing 719. T2+672 return south, passing 642. Flexity 012 heads north, past the Tram Shop at North Pier, well worth a visit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Progress Twin 675+685, newly restored to service, head southwards at North Pier. I was on this set on the last night of service, when it returned to depot as one of the last workings 05-11-2011 (around midnight, may have actually turned into 06-11-2011). Good to see it back in use again. Frigate 736 heads north, turning into the loop at the Wedding Chapel to pick up passengers. An unusual & unexpected move, as it would have to reverse out to get past 719 parked there! A closer view of 736 Meanwhile 675+685 is still loading at the Heritage stop. 736 then reverses back out on to the main line. 706 on another southbound working. Flexity 013 heading north with the Tower in the background. Flexity 015 pauses southbound on the street section at North Pier. Flexity 016 arrives at North Pier platform, my transport north to Fleetwood. We alighted at the end of the reserved track, Fishermans Walk in Fleetwood. 016 heads into the street to continue to the terminus at Ferry, whilst my family cross the tracks. Our return south was on car 015, seen here arriving at Fishermans Walk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 We returned to the central area; I walked from North Pier to Tower, then on to Central Pier. At the Tower, the preserved Atlantean was seen again. As dusk approached, I caught a shot of these two Flexity cars at Tower stop, taken on my phone. Whilst at Central Pier, an unfortunate incident between a Flexity and a pedestrian occurred. It seems that the tram was heading slowly south, constantly sounding its warning bell, suddenly followed by a loud blast on the horn and an emergency stop. A pedestrian on the narrow path between the tram tracks and the road must have been hit, as the driver quickly exited his cab and began filling out paperwork. I was on the seaward side so did not witness what happened, though a long wait ensued whilst a replacement driver was found to relieve the original driver. Standard rail practice applies I assume? By the lack of emergency service attendance I can only assume that no injuries took place. The staff can be seen here on the narrow path alongside the waiting tram. Heading in the northbound direction was the Western Train 733+734. Followed by HMS Blackpool 736. Sunday morning was also sunny but I had to leave mid-morning. Different heritage trams were beginning to roll south to Pleasure Beach. Here is the Blackpool & Fleetwood Box car 40 at Waterloo Road. This was followed by another Boat car, 230, in the normal Blackpool green/cream livery. Meanwhile another Heritage bus was working along the promenade. Barrow Corporation Atlantean LEO734Y. To finish my shots, a couple more of Progress Twin 272+T2. There are more photos and notes online here (not mine btw): http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=50 Hope these were of interest, Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dava Posted October 4, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 4, 2015 Thanks for this great series of photos which shows what an impressive system Blackpool still is & I must revisit on a vintage tram running day. The Centenary trams were the low point in tram design from which the Flexity cars have improved (imho) Dava Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Some cracking shots there mate. When the original trams finished and became a heritage fleet that Blackpool would lose something but having just come back from a long weekend away it amazes me how the older trams ever coped. The flexi trams were standing room only most of the time and speaking to one of the conductors the flexi tram is a little slower as they are restricted were the original trams weren't so heavily. But back to the older trams it's nice to see them out and about where they belong and looking a little more looked after than when they were in constant day to day running where there was more wear and tear on them. A little side note you can buy powered flexi trams from the team shop at the north pier wow it was tempting Edited as I can't spell trams Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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