Heritage trams will no longer operate on the Blackpool Tramway following a review undertaken by Blackpool Transport. They cite ongoing challenges in operating the trams on a modern tramway, especially in regards to new safety measures which are being introduced on all UK tramways following recommendations which came after the tragic Sandilands accident on the London Trams network in 2016.
This is an immediate suspension of all operations – and includes all remaining Illumination Tours for 2024 alongside Coastal and Promenade Tours and the previously announced The Blackpool Express which was due to run in the lead-up to Christmas.
The full statement released on behalf of Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours is provided below:
Following a thorough review, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our Heritage Tram Tours. Operating the Heritage Trams alongside our modern fleet has become increasingly challenging, with issues such as depot space, tram movements, general safety and maintenance conflicts making it difficult to continue running the service effectively.
This decision was not taken lightly, but we believe it is the most practical step to support the evolving needs of our business and maintain the overall efficiency of our operations. As part of our efforts to future-proof and safely grow our core tram network following the North Station extension, we are introducing advanced safety systems, including the Obstacle Detection Assistance System (ODAS) and the Collision and Overspeed Monitoring and Prevention Assistance System (COMPASS). These technologies are essential to maintaining safety, especially during busy times such as the summer, illuminations and festive seasons. The systems also allow us to improve operational efficiency, and ensure the sustainability of the network.
The Heritage Trams are a cherished part of Blackpool’s history, and we fully recognise their importance to the community, however, ensuring the ongoing safety and sustainability of the service has become increasingly complex. This pause provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of Heritage trams within a modernised and safe tramway network.
By reassessing their operation, we aim to explore new ways to honour Blackpool’s rich transport heritage while maintaining our commitment to a safe, efficient, and future-focused service. We are dedicated to finding innovative opportunities to honour and showcase Blackpool’s iconic tramway history, and we thank you for your understanding as we work towards this.
Well, this news is regrettable but not unexpected. I shan’t visit Blackpool again as a result, apart from seeing friends I’ve made through sharing our interest in the Blackpool Tramway. The writing was ‘on the wall’ when the depot closed and the trams contained therein were abandoned. I wouldn’t like to bet on their future, but ‘bleak’ would seem to sum it up. Has anyone at Rigby Road considered the negative effects this decision will have on tourism and hotel bookings, loss of trade in Blackpool during the summer season, the illuminations and at weekends?
I can only hope that ‘suspension’ is all it will be.
Further to my previous comment, I’ve sent an email to Councillor Galley about this regrettable news. Perhaps others should do the same. It will be interesting to see what’s envisaged with the Tram Town Visitor Centre, plans of which were aired a couple of years ago. Hmm………..
Absolute disgrace!
Blackpool without proper trams – and especially no illumination tours!
I can’t help but notice the emphasis on H & S in these announcements, just like the H & S statements regarding the Rigby Road depot. It ‘appears’ that BTS want shut of the responsibility of the Heritage Fleet.
Let’s face it, the Heritage Operation is but a shadow of what it was back in the day. Because of various ‘issues’, there are no Twin Sets, no Coronations, no ‘Alice’, no Standards, and only a couple of Balloons, Boats and Brush Railcoaches. The Trawler is in virtual ‘dry dock’ , whilst the Frigate and Western Train are the stalwarts of the Illuminations offerings.
Rigby Road is full of decrepit stock which would require millions of pounds, not to mention man-hours, to get most of it operational again. Dare I say that at least half of it needs scrapping or striping for spares.
I have to say that the Fylde Transport Trust are really leading the way in restorations, both in their bus fleet as well as their forays into Tram restoration but BTS seem to be sadly lacking.
I do appreciate that a lot of restoration relies on volunteers but I do think that BHTT have bitten off more that they can chew, and are now, sadly, paying the price.
Heritage railways, with discreet modern safety systems, and working with the authorities (Network Rail) run many special excursions with Historic traction and vehicles.
Surely, with some re organisation, and focus, BTS can hopefully (in the future) assemble an assortment of trams that the public will be attracted to, and want to ride on, that will boost tourism and revenue, to make it a viable concern.
I really do hope that this is not the end of traditional trams plying the wonderful coast that the Fylde has to offer.
The operation has basically run out of track and time to turn it around. All very sad. Some wonderful memories and lots to look back on. Hopefully some of the Heritage Trams are able to find new homes elsewhere where they can be cared for and enjoyed by future generations. Those who questioned direction/strategy at often great personal cost have been completely vindicated. Alas its one of them occasions where being proven right does not feel quite as satisfying.. It is strange to think that the last vintage tram has operated at Blackpool potentially forever potentially and nobody knew at the time..
Prior public knowledge of a problem – none. Public Consultation – none. I have agitated for years for the heritage fleet to be part of Blackpool Tourism and not the public transport realm and here is the reason why.
We now have an over active ORR making life a living hell for preservationists in the tramway world right across the UK and this is a prime example of why the occupants of the tepid world of bureaucracy need to sit down with the operators of heritage equipment and understand why modern electronic technology is so incompatible with early 20th Century DC electricals.
Unless they are educated to the needs and resources available to keep our heritage resources manned, and the educational resource they should be, the volunteers needed will melt away like the winter snows if for the sake of their leisure activities then need to study and work for qualifications which would earn them a living elsewhere.
This is a juggernaut that needs to be stopped in its tracks or we will have to fly to San Francisco to see boats – and can you imagine San Francisco closing the cable cars or Market Street Railway?? Well – can you??
I sympathise with your sentiments. But you can save the cost of an airline ticket by visiting 236 at Crich.
I am somewhat perplexed as this announcement comes less than a week after the intended Christmas operations of the Western Train were publicised.
Has the suspension been a decision made by Blackpool Heritage Tramways, or has it been imposed upon them suddenly in some manner?
There has been discussion elsewhere on this statement and it is generating much heat but little light. There are four paragraphs. The first outlines, quite succinctly, the true rationale. The second the current changes that crystallised the decision. The third is sugar to sweeten the pill for the enthusiasts and supporters. The fourth is a little sprinkling of hope to calm unrest but, at the same time to provide a political can to be kicked occasionally along the road. It is not time for retrospective analysis, or a lengthy post-mortem, thought should be of the future of Tramway Preservation!
Well that’s the end of Tram town. Wonder if Crich would take a Twin Set, Princess Alice or any Illumination Trams?
I really do think they should try to accomodate a Twin set as electric trailer operation is not currently represented in the national collection; I’d have prefered one to have gone there in 2011 instead of 630 and 762 personally, but hopefully we’ll end up with all three!
Alice at Crich would surprise me as they already have a Balloon, but an illuminated car would be a very popular addition for the general public I’m sure. Maybe the Trawler as its the easiest to run ‘backwards’?
Crich have already taken three of the cars from Birkenhead. I wonder if the capacity exists to accommodate many, if any, more?
There’s no suggestion of any disposals for the time being but I’d wager BTS would want to keep at least 600, 700, the Frigate, and the Western Train as the basis of a very much slimmed down heritage operation that could be accommodated at Starr Gate. Possibly 717 and 631 as well.
Either 272+T2 or 675+685 would be a prime candidate for preservation at Crich. I am unsure what work would need doing to them, but they were both operational until 2016. The former of course suffered a minor fire but it doesn’t look like a write-off.
I wonder if Crich should take 648 too and bin 645. 648 has been operational in the last few years and is much closer to original condition.
I suspect Crich would be indifferent towards the Trawler as it wasn’t one of the original 60s illuminated cars. It’s also been refurbished lately with LED lights – not very heritage-y imo. The Hovertram might be more appealing as an “original” illuminated car.
I often suspected the situation was heading towards something like this and with no obvious progress in evidence regarding the main Rigby Road Depot it seems to suggest the end of the line for the Heritage Tram scene in Blackpool. Following on from the developments at Birkenhead, the overall impression is that heritage tram operation is rather sadly in general decline. Thank goodness for the Isle of Man.
Although the statement would suggest the continuation of an attraction at Tramtown, nothing can be taken for granted and it could turn out that before long, new homes must be found for the trams. I wonder what capacity the new storage at Crich will offer and whether there will be space for a representative selection of Blackpool trams not already included in the national collection, alongside the Merseyside trams set to join the fleet there.
I often felt that well-preserved historic trams were somewhat out of place in the cheap and cheerful but somewhat tacky environment of Blackpool, which is more associated with the general party scene these days together with the excesses of drinking and lively activity associated therewith. Maybe the idea considered some time ago by Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust would, despite all that has transpired since, prove in the final analysis to be, contrary to expectations, the best way forward. Of course, funding for such a project woud be an entirely different matter, although maybe part of the old railway line to Fleetwood could be repurposed – much like the old Seaton branch, only with full gauge operation.
A short-sighted, illogical, and downright insulting decision no doubt driven by jobsworth bureaucrats who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. They should hang their heads in shame – this decision is another step towards Blackpool’s unique character and identity being erased.
I feel a great deal of sympathy not just for the volunteers and staff who have put thousands of pounds and man hours in to the heritage trams but also for the hoteliers and hospitality staff whose businesses will suffer… and of course all the people who have pre-booked Illuminations tours and the Western Train trips advertised only a few days ago.
To all the organisations that own trams marooned in the Rigby Road shed…it’s time to get them out. Send them to Beamish, Crich, Heaton Park, EATM, in fact any road transport museum with undercover storage – it is unfortunate that the collection will be spread out across the country but at least they’ll be safe.
I totally agree,the trams should now go to new homes at beamish ,heaton park ,Crich tramway museum and the east Anglian transport museum .
I’d donate to a crowdfunder for a “Blackpool Tram Depot” somewhere. And yes, I’m sure there are organisations out there that would like a Blackpool tramcar in fully working order or only needing a little work.
Send them too………….? Do they want them? Can they accommodate them?
What does ‘future focused’ mean? When people use meaningless phrases, the validity of their statements are questionable.
It is not quite the end. The Branch Line Society trip with a Balloon is still going ahead on Sunday 26th January.
The Branch Line Society have now switched to using a Flexity on Sunday 26th January.
i had a holiday booked over christmas period at blackpool as we usually ride the illuminated trams and heritage trams, i have just cancelled this fully payed up hoilday and lost every penny in the process, the hotelier we were staying with said a coach load of bookings who were tram enthusiasts have done the same thing, thank you blackpool transport, iwill not be visiting anymore, you have just killed my fondest childhood memories of blackpool, wonder if tey will reimburse me? i think not
nighty night blackpool, hello isle of man east anglia and criche
Try Heaton Park, perhaps?
Actually, no ‘Perhaps’ about it.
Underpinning this announcement is a “can’t do” mentality in the thinking of many managers (not all) in various sectors – the NHS, banking and public transport amongst others. These managers lack problem-solving skills and are only capable of working from templates and company manuals. Bereft of original thinking they are unwilling to take on any sort of challenge. If George Stephenson had the visionless outlook of many of today’s transport managers, he would have looked across the wastes of Chat Moss and said, “Stuff it, leave Liverpool and Manchester to the carters and mules”.
Preserve The Heritage Of Blackpool Trams petition available to sign if you wish at change.org Nearly 600 signatures already since yesterday.
Signed, and now up to over 800. The key thing now is getting media coverage in Manchester Evening News, BBC, Sky, GB News, whatever – I have a feeling there are far more than 1000 people who have an opinion on this. Blackpool’s heritage and illuminated trams are a fond childhood memory for many.
Might I suggest, following the “suspension” of Heritage Trams on the Blackpool Tramway, that Blackpool Transport reassesses the actual running of the “modern” fleet on this tramway, suspends operation and hands the whole 11.5 miles of the promenade tramway over to a new volunteer organisation to operate whilst closing the Talbot Road line!!!
An absolutely splendid plan!
A sad day and I think I will not be alone in saying I will not visit Blackpool any more. I feel sorry for the people who have put so much effort into running the heritage service. In Europe heritage trams run on mainstream tramways without any problem so why not in Blackpool. Is there any chance that the closure will be reversed?
I hope the remaining trams find new homes and and are not scrapped.
There are problems in Europe – meaning the continent, I suppose – as well. All historical trams in Flanders are grounded since a very minor incident happened in Ghent last year. If we will see them back on track is still unkown.
A good point Ian. Bern Tram Museum and the Bern Transport Authority can work together to operate heritage electric trams including a steam tram and trailer. Of course, I do not know about any compatability issues which they may have. If there are any, they must have been overcome. The one big difference, is that bern and Blackpool are not comparable in terms of wealth or international tourism. Sad to say, “Where there is money, there is a way.”
Presumably this also means the end of the “B” fleet operation? (which was an increasingly rare event anyway!).
There’s definitely a second side to this story that is being missed – Blackpool’s operation has been ran into the ground with no major fleet investment for over ten years, and a dwindling number of cars available in increasingly poor condition.
The operation seems to have pulled away it’s focus recently too – the current timetable is of little use any casual visitor to the town and the cars, although historically important, are mainly of little interest to non enthusiasts. Who is attracted by a ride on 707 than the same hardy few?
An operation of true “vintage” fleet cars focused on capturing tourists pockets may have helped here, but the lack of productive effort seen from Rigby Road workshops would mean the cessation of services was at some point inevitable.
There is likely another matter in play here that resulted in the immediate suspension during the busy period, but the above will no doubt have had a large say on this.
It’s a huge shame to see but in honesty I’m surprised we haven’t seen this announcement sooner.
Heritage trams running in Stanley Park Blackpool – very big park- on a Heaton Park style operation might be feasible. The park is very popular already and the addition of heritage trams would be a great attraction. Would cost a lot though putting in the tracks and overhead and a depot/workshop.
Blackpool as a place to live and visit? Blackpool has already been regarded as a place in decline. The heritage trams were definitely a magnet for visitors, the tourist industry, and the hotel trade. Now there is news that the heritage tram operation will cease and instead, the depot will house 20 electric buses. Why? To take the dwindling number of visitors from A to B? It looks as if Blackpool is advertising itself as a place in decline which is desperately trying to reduce the number of visitors and the income they bring. Farewell Blackpool.
Without reapeating the same things as everyone else and going over the same ground, I’d like to air my thoughts and keep it as brief as possible.
I had a feeling that this was on the cards for a while seen as there’s been next to no progress with Rigby Road for the past year.
I was really surprised that they’d make this decision so soon as I thought we would have gotten at least another year or so out of this “Temporary” scaled back Heritage service that we saw for the whole of this year.
I find it an insult that Blackpool Council don’t even want to preserve part of their town’s History and Heritage. It’s just as Criminal as getting rid of the Tower In My Opinon. At this point, I’d be happy if they even kept a small handful of Tramcars, or even if they just kept the B Fleet Balloons and the Illuminated Cars.
Blackpool has been one of the few Tram System’s in the world that has ran both their Heritage Fleet and their Modern Fleet side by side, While it isn’t the only one of it’s Kind in the World, It certainly is the only one in the UK, therefire having an extremely unique USP.
I’d encourage as many people as possible to sign this petition down below to ensure that Blackpool’s Heritage Fleet has a future in Blackpool
https://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-heritage-trams-of-blackpool?source_location=tag_
I’m rather surprised that the totally useless tramway extension costing Millions has not even been mentioned as a precursor of all the ongoing issues facing Blackpool Council/Transport.I think everyone now believes that failure of the project is now inevitable.With hindsight(NOT needed in this case)Maybe Heritage would be in a better place than it is now!
I’m not really sure where to start on all this. Having worked on the ‘proper’ trams in Blackpool a good few years before those god-awful purple things were even though of, my memory of of full loads and vehicles running from 5am until gone midnight.
Unfortunately the current Blackpool management are about as useful as the proverbial chocolate fireguard! They have been totally unable to maintain the heritage fleet and certainly have not done much (if anything) in the way of restoration. Then the purple peril arrived in town there was no reason at all that Rigby Road could not have carried on exactly the same way as it always had, just with the addition of a modern LRV service on top. I said at the time, and still believe, that the traditional trams were knobbled by BT because they knew that given the choice between an LRV and a Balloon, more than 90% of intending passengers would rather stand in the rain and wait for the balloon. However BT knew there would be some public backlash, so they fooled you all with a slow death of heritage, masked with promises of a shiny new rebuilt depot.
Where did all the money from the heritage tours and private hire work go?
Why was time and money being spent on plans for heritage services this Christmas when they must have known this was coming? Either BT’s management are so stupid they couldn’t make a decision which way to turn, or were simply lying about their commitment to heritage.
But what happens now? What happens to the trams that were donated back to Rigby road by the kind owners who had originally saved them back in the early 2010s? What happens to the vehicles on loan but not actually owned by BT? What happens to the heritage trust?
What needs to happen next is some hard questioning of BT by all of us. Until they spit our the truth, we must boycott their buses and especially their pathetic modern excuses for trams. Huge amounts of OUR taxes were wasted first on the so-called upgrade and then on North Station. Can we have that money back please?
Back in the 80’s and 90’s (when I was there) I suspected even then that someone was trying to find an excuse to get rid of the trams. First they replaced 13 OMO cars with 7 Centenary cars, which they knew would be expensive and not enough to cover the full winter service. I believe they were bought to fail as an excuse to close the system. It didn’t work that time, but when the so-called upgrade came along they tried the same trick again on a bigger scale. The thing is… now the old trams have gone nobody will care anymore if the lines they once ran on actually close or not.
Finally, there is NO REQUIREMENT for ODAS cameras on ANY tramway ANYWHERE. They are recommended, but (as far as I’m aware) not required. If they were required then they would be needed on all heritage trams everywhere. According to the Road Traffic Act private land which is open to the public becomes a part of the public highway. Although trams don’t actually run on the highway (they are legally carried on their own tracks, not the road surface) the streetscene around them is bound by the same rules and laws whether it’s in a museum setting or not. A person stepping out infront of a tram at Crich or Beamish will meet exactly the same fate as one stepping out on Blackpool promenade.
It should also be remembered that tram,s have operated perfectly safely in Blackpool without cameras for nearly a century and a half. If, after all that time, current drivers can no longer be relied upon for safety related duties, then it says something about the caliber of people BT are currently employing. You might want to think about that before you consider setting foot on a BT owned vehicle ever again.
Good Afternoon,
It will be interesting to see what the tourism numbers look like in the future.
I would also hope that the powers to be would see about saving what they can for the future.
Tourist numbers for 2023 were just over 20 million. Not sure the loss of Heritage trams is going to even dent that figure.
Frankly, I don’t believe the reasons Blackpool Transport have given. They’re just an excuse. Typical management-speak.
Where’s there’s a will, there’s a way. But BTS have lost the will. And lost a huge amount of good-will!
No reason now to visit Blackpool ever again.
Its hard to find the words to sum up how I feel about this really… even though I’ve suspected something like this would happen for quite some time, the actual news has left me far more shocked and saddened than I would ever have imagined. The fact that the Christmas tours with the Western Train – probably the heritage team’s best idea in years – had only just gone on sale, makes it feel all the more tragic and I feel so sad for the people who were looking forward to this festive treat, especially young children.
Whilst a lot of finger pointing is going on I suspect that whatever reason prompted this decision is more the final straw than a single problem. With Rigby Road depot now essentially life-expired and a dwindling number of operational trams looking rather neglected, it has felt like something had to change one way or another for a while now. I sincerly hope that something can be salvaged from this mess – if only the illuminated trams. Losing them would feel devastating for Blackpool as a whole, even to people who don’t really care about trams in general. It would be unthinkable for the Western Train to never grace the promenade again!
I also really hope that when/if the fleet is disposed of, reputable preservation groups get a fair chance to take on trams of particular merit, and they don’t simply go to the highest bidder – there are too many Boat cars in America already! Here’s hoping that the various societies and other interested parties can put their heads together and try to do what is best for everyone if the need arises. I’ll certainly be willing to support anyone who is prepared to offer a home to any of the trams I’m particularly interested in or those which are not already represented by museum collections.
Maybe it will turn out that compromise is the way forward. To complete their collection of Blackpool trams, Crich could acquire 706 and 675/85 from the Heritage operation. Maybe FTT would wish to arrange a loan of 279, 304 and 715 in return for any necessary work to make these viable but only if they were told to vacate the Rigby Road site. Currently the situation with the depot is an unknown. I wonder where the owner of 704 stands in all this, as I understand there was a financial contribution made to progress the restoration of this Balloon. Let’s hope this project hasn’t fallen fould of any ‘smallprint’ in whatever agreement was established.
Given how lucrative the Illuminations Tours seem to be, I doubt whether Blackpool Transport would wish to abandon these, which could open them up to competition from vintage or open top bus tours, offering something better than a dash-past of the tableau features on an overcrowded Flexity (with the possible added drawback of contravision advertising). As has been seen already, the illuminated cars could easily be accommodated at Starr Gate with perhaps a Balloon or two to cover for maintenance or breakdown. 700 could be included as it can be made wheelchair acessible if necessary. Not sure about the other B Fleet cars as they would need to be accommodated and that would all hang on the fate of the Rigby Road depot. No doubt only pantograph-fitted cars would be able to be considered for retention to provide Illuminations tours.
Well, I’m gutted obviously, and didn’t see it coming just at this point with the exciting announcement about the Western Train Christmas tours. Blackpool illuminations without the illuminated trams is inconceivable and I’m sure no one in the Council wants that.
Which leads me to think there may be something wider going on here, and like Frank Gradwell and Malcolm Bury I think the reference to safety procedures and new standards in light rail operation may hold the key. In the general picture of where this country seems often to be heading in terms of heritage transport operation, I also have sympathy for some of where Bob Hayes is coming from; the UK could end up totally safe (on paper – or should I say computer?) but also very unimaginative and mundane through lack of understanding. We know there are international precedents for heritage tram operation in modern cities. Safety must at all times be taken completely seriously, but it would be good to see a ‘can do’ and ‘making it happen’ approach prevailing in the UK within the context of safety, whereas it can sometimes feel otherwise.
I feel we should not underestimate the difficulties – and the achievements – of operating heritage transport in these modern times, even where operations have existed for a time and ultimately failed which I very much hope will not be the case with Blackpool. In the UK there is a lot loaded against such operations in addition to what I have mentioned already: high energy costs (apparently amongst the highest in the ‘developed’ world and rising), difficulties of obtaining and paying for specialised engineering in a UK now dominated by the service sector, and a tendency towards declining pools of volunteers, to name but three; also long-running problems with the cost of living and a struggling tourism and hospitality market.
The heritage railway world has been mentioned but doesn’t have it easy either. I think it is a miracle that steam trains can still seemingly operate profitably on our main line railway network, given all the costs, requirements and constraints they have to meet. After Covid, my wife and I took to visiting locations like Hellifield, Shap Summit and the Cumbrian Coast (occasionally even the Blackpool line) to see main line steam in action (I will admit the fares made regular travel on the actual trains prohibitive for us but we still contributed to the local economy), but the activity has unexpectedly declined dramatically in our area due to our nearest mainline operator infamously not complying with ORR regulations on carriage door locks. Four fully serviceable steam locomotives have now been standing idle with valid boiler tickets worth tens of thousands of pounds ebbing away because of this. There are different views on who is to blame, but I can’t help thinking, how many people have actually fallen out of a Jacobite steam train in comparison with the daily carnage on our roads that the ORR are apparently also responsible for? Just saying. The preserved lines face increasing challenges as well. Nowadays, I’ve learned to take nothing for granted, and just to do it while I can. Like seeing the Western Train in the Fleetwood lights procession a week last Saturday without even dreaming it was goodbye – at least for the moment.
I have had some involvement with a successful preservation scheme. I’m told it’s the only 1930s super cinema in Europe restored for its original purpose. But I have to admit that legislatively and commercially it fits into the wider context of entertainment buildings. That is not so unique and difficult a path to attempt as, say, the 77-year-old paddle steamer Waverley which is the only seagoing ship in the world with that method of propulsion and I am full of admiration for her management for keeping her going, sometimes seemingly and seriously against all odds, as an unbelievable floating monument to our industrial heritage in a modern and changing world, and the result is that she boosts public morale and the feel-good factor wherever she goes. How do you quantify that?
I think Blackpool Heritage Trams have fitted into much the same category as Waverley. Operating an ageing heritage tram fleet as a tourist attraction on what is now a modern LRV system is unprecedented in this country. That they have succeeded, not only operationally, but also caught the public imagination can be proved, for example, by the numerous heritage tram private hires I have seen at all sorts of unexpected times, including this year. The government’s website, no less, used a photograph of Balloon 717 on the Promenade to represent the whole of British tourism just a few years ago! There has been a wonderfully dedicated team of volunteers who deserve our thoughts at this time. There have recently been handicaps like the life-expiry of Rigby Road depot and works and there aren’t many paid maintenance staff underpinning the operation as there were in pre-LRV days, and we now see that this has steadily had an effect. Yes, I appreciate there have been difficulties, but even against this latter-day background, I understand there have been achievements made and some steady progress that is not always appreciated.
Dedication there has been aplenty, and as an observer I am immensely appreciative that it has all been able to happen since the ‘traditional’ tramway for which Blackpool is so fondly remembered finished in 2011. The fares, too, were affordable and we have ridden the heritage trams many times and they have certainly attracted us to be regular visitors to Blackpool.
I hope it will be possible to look forward positively and create a ‘can do’ future, because I do believe that Blackpool, as a holiday town whose public face is based on its eclectic range of attractions, needs its heritage trams. If that can be the baseline, even at this seemingly discouraging time, hopefully the obstacles can be overcome to keep some form of heritage tram operation thriving in Blackpool. I’m sorry if it may even seem pie-in-the-sky to some but I feel we have to be hopeful and that’s where my thoughts are at the moment.
You have not considered the possibility that the council people don’t know what they want.
The BLS tour in January and the FTS Christmas tour are apparently going to operated by a Flexity now. I did wonder if the “B Fleet” would be exempt from this potentially allowing at least 700 to carry on operating, but it seems not!
I hope all the people with tickets for those tours now turn around and demand a full refund.
Considering the tickets for FTS have only just gone on sale, unlikely!
Of course they aren’t exempt, they are exactly the same as Heritage!!!
I think it is indeed true that the preservation of electric traction of any sort faces a definite struggle. Not only has there been a decline even in museum based tram operation but the last surviving Class 503 EMU has, bar one carriage, recently been lost for ever. The 502 nearly suffered the same fate but was saved due to the monumental efforts of a dedicated preservation group. Also, many types of London Underground units are respresented by only one coach if at all. Unlike with road transport such as buses and coaches, vehicles reliant on a direct electricity supply have a hard time when it comes to preservation. The obvious problem is that they require a source of power, which inevitably brings them into conflict with mainstream services and the health and safety requirments with which these must comply.
However, the apparent abruptness with which the Heritage Tram service has been halted does seem to beg the question as to what other as yet undisclosed reason there is behind such a decision. Is it possible that the Blackpool Transport operation is about to be sold to another operator, with the heritage fleet seen as a potential deal breaker. Maybe the idea of having a single ended feature tram reverse along a busy Talbot Road has raised eyebrows in the wrong place. Could it be that it has been simply a financial decision based on maintenance issues, which are largely outwith the scope of volunteer services? No doubt time will tell. In the meantime, as stated eslewhere, a petition can be found that seems for now to be gathering momentum, although there’s not to my knowledge a precedent for this: much less any predicting of the eventual outcome of the petition in question. At least it’s a good way to show support for the Heritage Trams and about the best that can be done for now at least.
Latest today 10/12/2024 from Blackpool Transport is the heritage trams will be back in operation next summer, if certain problems are resolved. Museum still planned at Tramtown as well. Time will tell…
Why has there been no explanation as to why shutdown was immediate, rather than when existing bookings had been fulfilled? Heritage have lost what little goodwill still existed.
I was on the seafront north of the Metropole Hotel on Tuesday evening and saw a crowd of people who appeared to be waiting for a tram tour. Flexity 003 was on the siding by the Wedding Chapel showing ‘Private Hire’ so I assume was going to be their conveyance. This also seems consistent with what has been said above about the forthcoming BLS and FTS tours. So far as I can tell, it appears that all heritage cars have been moved back to Rigby Road with the exception of the Frigate, which also changed tracks at Starr Gate sometime between Sunday and Monday evenings. It has not been easy to see clearly into either depot but I couldn’t see anything else at Starr Gate. The Western Train and Balloon 717 are clearly visible at Rigby Road. I am encouraged to read the new statement from Jane Cole and hope there’ll soon be better news for everyone who appreciates and supports the heritage trams.
I made another unexpected brief visit to Blackpool on Thurday night, my last until around New Year. Again I saw a Flexity car, this time car 011, on a Private Hire, and interestingly, viewed from outside the internal lighting appeared to be switched off, presumably to afford an enhanced view of the illuminations. In fact car 003 was in the same condition when I saw it preparing for a Private Hire on Tuesday, but it didn’t appear to be carrying passengers at the time. The Frigate remains at Starr Gate and I think it may have changed tracks again although I am not absolutely certain as tonight’s view of it was a lot clearer than previously. It is parked at the rear of the track it sits on, bow end (if I can call it that!) towards depot wall.
Making the best of a situation I don’t think anyone wanted to see as the 2024 illuminations come towards a close, I personally am finding it not without interest that the Flexities themselves are carrying out unusual workings, although obviously I hope it is no more than a stop-gap before Heritage operations can resume in some form. I would think the forthcoming Branch Line Society tour involving a Flexity might be quite interesting to observe.
While in no way undermining my enthusiasm and support for the heritage trams, I do feel the Flexity cars are appropriate trams to carry the Blackpool tramway forward into a modern era of regular passenger operation. While tourists and holidaymakers may favour the traditional and nostalgic image of the heritage Blsckpool.tramcar, regular year-round commuters are more likely to be looking for such as accessibility, spaciousness, quietness, smoothness, efficiency and a comfortable passenger environment. I actually think the Flexities are very fine examples of modern tramcars and from a passenger’s point of view, superior to at least some on which I ridden. My experience is relatively limited, but I would go so far as to say that for me, they might even be the best. I cannot speak for their technical reliability and financial performance, but from.observation they seem more reliable at the very least than the Centenaries and Coronations were, not forgetting Blsckpool”s ujavoidably harsh operating environment, and no modern vehicle is going to be allowed to have the relatively straightforward ruggedness of the 1930s cars. For me, they are now part of the Blackpool tramway story and deservedly so, and having mostly completed over 12 years of service, they have been around not too far short of the time the Vambacs were on the Marton route! And we know that even back in the 1930s there was an outpouring of nostalgia when the Balloons replaced the Dreadnoughts, which resulted in the eleventh hour saving of car 59.
I am.encouraged by the statement by Jane Cole, and while I accept nothing is certain in this day and age, I hope we can look forward to a new phase of heritage tramcar operation in Blackpool which will maintain its proud tradition of combining the best of the old with the best if the new.