Tonight we start a new series as we take a look at an old tram and a new tram in roughly the same location. The first tramway that we visit for this series (and a place which will feature heavily for obvious reasons) is Blackpool and we take a look at what we now call a heritage tram and a modern tram at Gynn Square.
The old traditional tramway is where we start and this image was taken on 6th September 2005. Balloon 702 calls at the stop (with its long shelter) with a service which is only going to Manchester Square which suggests this may have been a special with it heading back to depot after its time was over. The tram is in a heritage green and cream livery style but does also have “T” adverts for the summer show at the Grand Theatre – “Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox Show”. This featured three of the Osmond Brothers (Jay, Jimmy and Wayne) with support from Billy Pearce and ran throughout the main summer and illumination seasons, a far cry from today where there are more one nighters in the theatres of the town. 702 is now resident at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester, albeit not operational.
Fast forward to 28th September 2020 and we’re back at Gynn Square on the upgraded tramway as we see Flexity2 009 heading away from the stop on the way south to Starr Gate. We are looking in the opposite direction to the previous photo but the tram is still almost in the same location. Obviously for the tramway the big change in the infrastructure is the platforms which now serve as the stop. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)