Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Stockport 5 leads the way!

Posted on Monday 23 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Heaton Park’s ‘Tramtastic Day Out’ on Sunday 22nd July turned out to be another great event, with a three-car service on the heritage line for the first time this year, and several other members of the fleet posed for photography. … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Its bye-bye to Blackpool for 623

Posted on Tuesday 17 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623‘s period of operation back on its original home tramway has now come to an end, and after a year-long loan, the tram was transported back to Manchester on Monday 16th July. However, before it left it … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

Balloon cars to dominate Fleetwood Tram Sunday

Posted on Thursday 12 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The annual Fleetwood Festival of Transport – more commonly known as Tram Sunday – takes place this year on Sunday 15th July, and as usual Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours will be providing a bumper service between Pleasure Beach and Fisherman’s … Continue reading →

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‘Princess Alice’ appeal goes online!

Posted on Tuesday 10 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Following a number of requests, the Fylde Tramway Society have today launched an online platform to raise money for its recently announced ‘Princess Alice’ 706 Restoration Appeal. Fans of this iconic Blackpool tram can now donate towards the appeal at https://www.gofundme.com/039princess-alice039-706-appeal

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Frequent heritage trams to Fleetwood on 14th July

Posted on Monday 9 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The day before the annual Fleetwood Tram Sunday event was a big highlight of 2017 for fans of Blackpool’s heritage tram service, with an intensive heritage service to Fleetwood in operation – and this is set to be repeated, even … Continue reading →

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Help bid farewell to Blackpool 623

Posted on Thursday 5 July 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have confirmed that Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 will shortly be leaving the seaside again, and heading back to its active retirement home at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway. However, before it departs, a special farewell running day has … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: A busy day in the Crich workshop

Posted on Saturday 30 June 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The past week has been a good one for fans of large open top trams around the UK. Fresh from the return to service of Blackpool 31 at Beamish Museum, and the announcement of Blackpool’s own ‘Princess Alice’ 706 being … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

‘Princess Alice’ 706 restoration appeal launched

Posted on Friday 29 June 2018 by Andrew Waddington

One of Blackpool’s best loved trams is undoubtedly the unique open-top Balloon car, ‘Princess Alice’ 706. The tram was always hugely popular whenever it appeared in service since its conversion to open-top condition in 1985, until the end of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Tramway Society | 3 Comments

Manx Electric Railway 125th anniversary events announced

Posted on Friday 22 June 2018 by Andrew Waddington

For some time, it has been known that there would be a big event taking place on the Isle of Man to celebrate 125 years of the Manx Electric Railway. Full details of what is planned are now available, with … Continue reading →

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Crich spend Lottery money on paint, a door and more

Posted on Friday 22 June 2018 by Andrew Waddington

As announced recently, Crich Tramway Village have received an £84,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable a project dubbed ‘Exploring the historic landscape of Crich Tramway Village’ to go ahead. The first phase of work is now underway … Continue reading →

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Blackpool 31 almost ready to go!

Posted on Friday 15 June 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Pleasing news to report from the Beamish Museum is that Blackpool 31 will soon be making a very welcome return to passenger service. Since it last carried visitors at the museum back in February 2016, 31 has of course spent … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: First Boat to Fleetwood of 2018!

Posted on Tuesday 29 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

It may seem hard to believe, but we have just enjoyed TWO warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekends in May! Blackpool in particular was blessed with glorious weather both times and naturally this has made the intensive heritage service all … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

A brighter future for Standard 143

Posted on Monday 28 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

After a wait of many years, positive steps are finally being taken towards getting the long-term restoration of Blackpool Standard 143 completed. The tram remains in the ownership of the Fylde Transport Trust (formerly the Lancastrian Transport Trust) – however, … Continue reading →

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Halle 902 moves to Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 23 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

On Tuesday 22nd May, Halle 902 made the journey by road from Crich Tramway Village to Blackpool. As reported previously, the tram is to be stored at the Rigby Road depot as part of an arrangement with its owners, who … Continue reading →

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Birkenhead museum opening delayed

Posted on Wednesday 23 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The planned re-opening of the Wirral Transport Museum at Birkenhead’s Taylor Street has unfortunately had to be delayed. Despite volunteers working countless hours over the past four weeks, it has proved to be impossible to have everything ready for the … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Halle 902 prepares to leave Crich

Posted on Monday 21 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Halle 902 has recently been shunted a few times at Crich, ahead of its big move to Blackpool which is expected imminently. As previously announced the tram will be stored at Rigby Road for at least two years to ease … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool 630’s farewell tour

Posted on Saturday 19 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 19th May, Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 operated a special ‘farewell’ tour of the entire Blackpool system, its last such outing before it returns to its active retirement home at Crich Tramway Village. On this gloriously sunny day, 630 … Continue reading →

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Boat 600 – back where it belongs!

Posted on Saturday 19 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

For the first time this year, a Boat car was employed on the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours service on Saturday 19th May. With 227 still undergoing extensive restoration work and 230 stored awaiting workshop attention, 600 has been flying the … Continue reading →

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Leeds 180 back in service

Posted on Monday 7 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

Following a fairly short absence, Leeds 180 is now back in the operational fleet at Crich Tramway Village having received some essential workshop attention over the past winter. With the work now completed and a period of test running proving … Continue reading →

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Target date set for Birkenhead museum re-opening

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2018 by Andrew Waddington

After a long winter closure for refurbishment, work to improve the visitor displays at the Birkenhead tramway’s museum and depot premises at Taylor Street is now almost complete. Volunteers are hard at work to complete some final snagging before the … Continue reading →

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