Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

In Pictures: A closer look at Warrington 28

Posted on Saturday 1 June 2019 by Andrew Waddington

For the past several years the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have been quietly making some seriously impressive progress on the reconstruction of the last surviving Warrington tramcar in existence – to be known when completed as Warrington 28. MTPS volunteer … Continue reading →

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Welcome back to Birkenhead 20!

Posted on Thursday 23 May 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Following its loan period to Blackpool, Birkenhead 20 returned to its regular home tramway on the Wirral last November, but had to wait until Saturday 18th May before it finally re-entered passenger service. This was due to the tram having … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Bank Holiday B Fleet action!

Posted on Friday 10 May 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Although originally intended for use on public service duties, Blackpool’s small fleet of modified Balloon cars known as the ‘B Fleet’ are a common sight on heritage duties, most of all on the special Gold running days. With two such … Continue reading →

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Vintage tram joins the cast of ‘Neighbours’!

Posted on Friday 3 May 2019 by Andrew Waddington

ITV soap opera Coronation Street has featured trams in storylines several times over the years – ranging from a Metrolink tram crashing onto the street itself to Blackpool Balloon car 710 hitting and killing the villainous Alan Bradley. Now, long-running … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: New adverts for Blackpool Balloon 723

Posted on Wednesday 24 April 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Between-deck advertisements on Blackpool’s Balloon cars were once a common sight, but since the inception of Heritage Tram Tours, commercial advertising on the historic tram fleet has all but vanished. However, Balloon 723 has recently received some new banner adverts … Continue reading →

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Standard 147 regains its name

Posted on Thursday 4 April 2019 by Andrew Waddington

It may be recalled that Blackpool Standard 147 ran for several years with the name ‘Michael Airey’. It was named after the former Body Shop manager at Blackpool Transport who managed the project to repatriate 147 from the USA and … Continue reading →

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Seeing double with 707 & 718!

Posted on Wednesday 3 April 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Since the inception of Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, no two trams have ever been outshopped in identical liveries – but that is set to change imminently with the news that Rebuilt Balloon car 707 is being painted in the ‘Millennium’ … Continue reading →

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Blackpool Balloon 704 restoration project announced

Posted on Wednesday 27 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Fresh from the news about the delivery of a supply of steel for two new Balloon car underframes at Blackpool’s Rigby Road workshops, it has now been confirmed which trams will be the beneficiaries of these materials. As expected, one … Continue reading →

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New Balloon car underframes under construction

Posted on Tuesday 26 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

An exciting development at Blackpool is the recent delivery of a large quantity of steel to the Rigby Road workshops, which has been supplied to use in the construction of not one, but two new Balloon car underframes. In addition, … Continue reading →

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Standard 143 launch date announced

Posted on Monday 4 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

The Fylde Transport Trust have announced today that the launch of restored Blackpool Standard 143 is due to take place on the evening of Wednesday 28th August this year. No detailed information has been provided as to what form the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 2 Comments

Box 40 moves to Beamish

Posted on Monday 4 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

On Monday 4th March, Blackpool & Fleetwood ‘Box’ car 40 left Blackpool, just two days after operating its farewell tour of its home system. The tram was destined for Beamish Museum – arriving there later the same day – where … Continue reading →

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Glory Mine and the case of the missing siding!

Posted on Monday 4 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

On 24th February, work was continuing on the track work at Crich Tramway Village which has seen the Glory Mine passing loop renewed over the closed season. On this date London Tramlink 058 was used to transport a further four … Continue reading →

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Good news for fans of Blackpool’s Balloon cars

Posted on Friday 1 March 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Whilst the imminent departure of Blackpool & Fleetwood ‘Box’ car 40 from its original native tramway dominates the headlines from the Fylde coast, there has been some more positive news for the Blackpool heritage fleet. Two Balloon cars are set … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Rare moves around the Exhibition Hall at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 27 February 2019 by Andrew Waddington

On 24th February, a number of trams and other objects were moved around at Crich Tramway Village as part of the project to install new displays in the Great Exhibition Hall. The creation of a new exhibition on the life … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Manchester 765 heads for Beamish

Posted on Tuesday 5 February 2019 by Andrew Waddington

On the morning of Tuesday 5th February, Manchester 765 left the Heaton Park Tramway to make its way by road to the North East. As announced previously, the tram is one of two – the other being Blackpool & Fleetwood … Continue reading →

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Event Report: First ‘Gold’ weekend of 2019 in Blackpool

Posted on Friday 1 February 2019 by Andrew Waddington

January 26th & 27th saw the first Gold Weekend of the year in Blackpool, with an interesting and varied turnout of trams in action despite some rather challenging weather conditions, particularly on the Sunday when string winds battled the coast! … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Newcastle 102 under attention at Crich

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Although the main ongoing restoration project at Crich Tramway Village at the moment is London County Council 1, that hasn’t stopped work from being started on a major overhaul for Newcastle 102 which is being funded by members of the … Continue reading →

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A makeover for London Transport 1622

Posted on Monday 14 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously on this website, London Transport 1622 has recently moved into the workshop at Crich Tramway Village for preparations to be made for an overhaul which will allow the tram to return to regular service. This will include … Continue reading →

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Christmas Boating at Blackpool – The Sequel!

Posted on Thursday 3 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

The last opportunity to take a ride on a heritage tram in Blackpool during 2018 was provided by the Fylde Tramway Society’s annual Christmas tour, which took place on Saturday 29th December. This was advertised as featuring recently repainted Centenary … Continue reading →

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Balloon 711 on standby for snow

Posted on Monday 31 December 2018 by Andrew Waddington

For many years it has been the norm for at least one of Blackpool’s Balloon cars to be fitted with snowplough equipment for the winter. In the last few years, members of the ‘B Fleet’ have been used in this … Continue reading →

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