BLACKPOOL TRACKWORK UPDATE With time rapidly running out for the completion of the trackwork to enable trams to run at Easter, major progress has been noted at all worksites this week. Read on to find out more.
Pleasure Beach Manchester Square to Central Pier Gynn Square to Norbreck Source: Paul Turner from Yahoo! Groups Blackpool Transport
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 2nd March 2008
The overhead realignment has now started at Pleasure Beach with 938 being on hand to undertake the work. The former spur has been disconnected from the overhead, the crossover wire has been removed along with the entry frog to the old outer loop whilst a new frog is being fitted where the two loops join the main line. On the track front there is still a short section to top surface near the Sandcastle. Work is now in progress on the pavements.
The top surface is down by Manchester Square tramstop whilst the section between Foxhall Square and Central Pier is now awaiting concreting. The north end point at Foxhall Square has now been connected to the Princess Street track.
At Gynn Square the old and the new track is now awaiting joining. The concrete from Gynn Square to Cabin is almost complete with the top surface now in place near to the Cliffs Hotel. At Cabin most of the new track up to the crossover is now in place although the works crossing still needs the old track being replaced. The northbound line is now in place from Cabin to Bispham with the southbound sleepers in place from Duchess Drive to Cavendish Road. Some of the southbound line has also been laid at Cavendish Road. At Bispham tram stop work on the trackbed is progressing with the base now concreted. The new loop line at Bispham has seen its final trackbed section completed with the track now over half done. Most of the ballasting has now been laid between Bispham and Norbreck with just some to be done between Bispham and Madison Avenue.
Work has been progressing at Cabin with the new crossover now in place. As this photo shows it has been moved northwards from its former position meaning any trolley fitted cars needing to turn here will be forced to do so with the conductor standing on the ballasted track.
Photo: Alan Robson