THEY’RE BACK! TRAMS RUN IN BLACKPOOL AFTER LONG WINTER The long winter is finally over as trams have started running in passenger service again – although at the moment they are only running Starr Gate to Cabin as works still need to be completed north of here.
After 137 long days, and four days of testing, Balloon 723 (in its new 1980s Green & Cream coat of paint with adverts for AutoMedon) was the first tram back in passenger service.
Unfortunately the tight timescales of the early Easter meant the work north of Cabin was not quite completed and as such trams were only running Starr Gate to Cabin. A 10 minute timetabled service was offered through the main part of the day between these locations with the first trams leaving Rigby Road just before 0800. This pattern remains until 1900 when trams revert to every 20 minutes. The final tram of the day is due back at Rigby Road just after 2330. Full details of the service being offered are available on Blackpool Transport’s official website - here for southbound services and here for northbound trams.
At the start of the week it was not even known whether trams would definitely get as far as Cabin as safety testing of the new track was still required. This inspection took place on Thursday 20th March and trams were cleared as far north as Cabin.
Speaking about the reopening Cllr Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted that the tramway will be open to welcome visitors for the Easter weekend. Our two contractors Birse and Colas Rail have done a brilliant job, in often appalling weather conditions, to enable the vast majority of the work to be completed on schedule. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience whilst this work has been carried out. We have tried to keep disruption to a minimum and I hope everyone will see a marked improvement from the old track.”
It is now planned to reopen the remainder of the tramway in stages over the next few weeks. Over the Easter weekend work has been happening between Cabin and Bispham with Engineering Car 754 seen on site attending to the overhead. A heavy rail tamper had also been on site earlier in the week as Colas Rail – the contractor on this section – stepped up their efforts to complete the work on time. At the present time trams can not get any further north than just short of Bispham station as there remains a section of track missing. The loop at Little Bispham also remains untouched with no access as straight track has been fitted across the entrance. It is expected that this will be dealt with after Easter.
* In other news from Blackpool - Balloon 717 has not returned to service following its major overhaul as some work still remains to be completed. This includes lower saloon seating and the fitting of corner windows both top and lower decks. The tram does however look superb in its Original Green & Cream livery.
Two new liveries have made their debuts so far in service - Balloon 711 in its Metro Coastlines Dark Green & Yellow and Balloon 723 in its 1980s Green & Cream (with side and front ads for Automedon).
* A set of photos from the opening day of service from the camera of Alan Robson are available here.
Source: Blackpool Council, Blackpool Transport & Yahoo! Groups: Tramgen
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 23rd March 2008
Balloon 717 seen at the front of the tram depot awaiting the final touches for its major overhaul. The tram has been restored to near original condition although externally it does have the modern front skirt – but painted dark green this does not seem as prominent as on 713.
Photo: Keith Brierley
Balloon 711 made its debut in Metro Coastlines Dark Green & Yellow over Easter. Here the tram is seen in all its glory at Pleasure Beach on 21st March 2008.
Photo: Alan Robson