In Pictures: Blackpool North extension testing hits a snag

We saw earlier in the week the start of daytime testing on the Blackpool Tramway extension to the North Station terminus with the promise at that point of a full week of testing. But as we all know things don’t always go according to plan and after the first two days seemed to go well the testing has rather stalled since with two days completely cancelled and the other seeing a much reduced output.

As reported previously, Monday 27^th June saw 010 in action on testing and everything all looked OK with no apparent issues. Tuesday 28^th June again seemed to be a success with 006 and 010 in use, but since then there have been issues with the signalling causing very limited testing to be able to take place.

On Wednesday 29^th June it wasn’t possible for any testing to take place. 010 was ready and willing to be used but after spending a period stabled at North Pier returned to depot (heading north to Bispham and back south) with the signal problems unable to be fixed.

So, Thursday 30^th June proved to be the third day of testing with 001 and 011 allocated to the runs. However, from the start of the test runs it was apparent there were issues when returning north from Talbot Square. The points were changing but the signals failed meaning trams had to carry on to North Pier and Tower and reverse there to return to Blackpool North Railway Station from the south side.

Then at around lunchtime, 001 returned from North Station to Talbot Square to go north but the signals failed meaning that the tram had to run back wrong line for some distance and then going forward again to be led out onto the Promenade northbound against a danger signal with a  flagman leading the way.

This has proved to be the last testing so far with the signals still not working on Friday 1^st July. It is hoped that, subject to their repair, they will be able to resume testing from Monday 4^th July.

Whilst it is disappointing that there have been these issues during testing, it should be remember that this is the very reason that testing takes place in order to iron out any issues ahead of a service beginning at some point in the future.

On the subject of a service beginning another press release from Blackpool Council in the past week has said the entirety of Phase Two of the Talbot Gateway project will be completed in Spring 2023. Its not clear though whether this means a 2023 start for trams or whether its will open before the full project is completed.

Video courtesy of Michael Morton

001 heads into the old Wilko’s site during testing.

011 has just come out of the Talbot Gateway worksite and now makes its way along Talbot Road down towards the Prom. (Both Photographs by Michael Morton, 30th June 2022)