The plans for a Visitor Centre at Rigby Road Depot in Blackpool are continuing to progress and we have a name for the attraction – Tramtown. The new name was unveiled during the Anniversary Weekend events in Blackpool on Saturday 25th September with the first of a new series of behind-the-scenes tours taking place on both days of the weekend. These tours will continue on Wednesdays for the rest of the year (up to and including 15th December) giving a glimpse of the past as well hearing about future plans for the Visitor Centre.
We’ve reported fairly recently on Blackpool Transport’s plans for a Visitor Centre at Rigby Road so we won’t go into too much detail again (not that too much detail is known yet as it is still in the early stages of planning) but the long-term plan is that Rigby Road tram sheds are converted from a dilapidated tram depot into a state of the art Visitor Centre. It will be both the home to the operational trams and others and will help to tell the story of the history of trams in Blackpool allowing residents and visitors alike to find out more.
Depot Tours are now available for booking every Wednesday between now and 15th December 2021. Taking place at either 1100 or 1300 on each date they are led by two guides and allow you to see behind the gates of Tram Town. Costing £5 for adults and £2.50 for children all the money raised will go towards the depot restoration project.
- You can book your place online through Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours booking agent.
Welcome to Tram Town! The new sign located on the depot gates.
An information sign is also provided on the tours and how to book. (Photographs x2 by Gareth Prior)
The behind the scenes tours of Tramtown give a chance to see some of non-operational trams at close quarters. On 29th September – the first of the regular midweek tours – we see Coronation 663 at the front of the shed.
Another image of 663 at the front of the depot – panelling has been removed as part of the work which saw it head to Bury last year. (Photographs x2 by Lee Botham)
Excellent news! This not only suggests that the future of Rigby Road premises should be more secure, but now Heritage Trams are engaging with the public more this could potentially benefit them should they wish to put forward a case for charitable status, with all the benefits that would naturally follow on from this.
I wonder whether anyone has spread apart that rather inconvenient fence at some point so that the lens of an SLR camera can be poked through. When I tried to take a photo it was just a bit too narrow. I do hope that when the exhibition area is up and running it will only be for trams and tram related equipment. I would appreciate hearing about every little bit of detail as soon as it is released.
I suspect that it would not be a good commercial idea to widen the gaps in the fence, otherwise everyone would be pointing camera lenses through instead of paying to enter. To do so, would be akin to putting a window from outside into a cinema or theatre (with audio even), so as to allow access to the action free of charge thereby risking a reduction in ticket sales.