Trams return to Ash Street Fleetwood

A major step towards the reinstatement of a full tram service between Blackpool and
Fleetwood occurred on Tuesday 20th March, when the new Flexity2 trams commenced running to Ash Street Fleetwood (also known as Fisherman’s Walk) on a regular basis for crew training. Although 001 had made the journey to Ash Street shortly after the end of the 2011 season, the northern stretch of the line had been closed again soon after due to ongoing infrastructure works, and it is only now that it has re-opened again.

The first taste of trams in Fleetwood during 2012 actually came on Monday 19th March, when two refurbished Balloon cars, 709 and 723, were used for testing the track and overhead line between Thornton Gate and Ash Street. The pair have become first choice cars for testing purposes recently, even though 723 has not been fitted with widened centre entrances and is therefore unlikely to run in passenger service this year. 709 however is expected to be part of the core operating fleet and retains it Sea Life advert livery – although despite reports elsewhere we can confirm that this livery remains unmodified since last year.

The tests were obviously considered successful, as driver training to Ash Street began
the following day with 009 performing the first journey – quite an appropriate choice as at the time it was the latest Flexity2 tram to be commissioned for use. Since then, several more of the class have ventured to the temporary northern terminus. Disappointingly, despite many strong rumours the anticipated ‘ghost running’ has so far failed to materialise, probably due to various sections of track still being under attention. However, what everyone is really anticipating, is the sight of a tram running to and from Fleetwood Ferry for the first time since November 2009 – and with good progress visible in the
town, hopefully this will happen very soon to allow a full service to commence as planned on April 4th.

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