After a lengthy gap, the latest of Blackpool’s new supertrams finally arrived in town on Thursday 2nd February. This was also the first Flexity2 tram to be delivered to Blackpool in 2012, with the tram being unloaded outside the new Starr Gate depot during the afternoon and then being shunted inside to be prepared for operation. As per usual, the car landed at Hull docks and was then transported on a very long low-loader in one piece to its final destination.
A piece of paper in the windscreen of the new arrival identified it as 006, but confusingly it is only the fifth Flexity2 to arrive at Blackpool. Car 003 is currently at Bombardier’s UK premises in Derby, but this situation is likely to change soon as the lorry used to transport 006 is expected to collect it within the next few days before hopefully heading back to Germany to collect another new tram. As has been stated before, 16 Flexity2 trams have been ordered by Blackpool and there are grave doubts as to whether it will be possible to get all of them to Blackpool before Easter, when the tramway is due to re-open.
Another new item of rolling stock was also seen today; a small works vehicle labelled as ‘Crab 1500 E’! This is not so much a tram as a small yellow box on wheels, but despite its tiny size it managed to haul 006 across the depot fan and into the Starr Gate depot with ease. Presumably it will be based there and be used to move the trams around the depot and workshop area, as well as assisting in the unloading of future arrivals.