It seems that it is all systems go for the anticipated return of heritage trams to Blackpool Prom with news that two trams have been cleared to return to use during Lightpool which starts on 15th October 2025. Both the Illuminated Frigate F736 and Balloon 717 have been checked over by an independent experts and now preparations are in hand for their transfer to Starr Gate Depot where they will based during their operation.
Following the news, Martin Gurr, Heritage Operations Manager at Blackpool Transport, said: “Final preparations are now being put in place for the transfer of both trams to our Starr Gate depot, where they can be prepared for service. Once they’re back in operation, the trams will be crewed by fully-trained Blackpool Transport drivers and conductors to ensure planned trips meet the latest industry regulations. ”
As announced earlier this summer there has been a phased return plan for the heritage trams which last ran in early December 2024. This has seen independent experts assessing the trams whilst the track from Rigby Road Depot was also inspected to ensure the trams could be moved onto the Prom and to Starr Gate Depot.
As they have done when operating for a while, all operating heritage trams will be based at Starr Gate Depot where they will undergo any required maintenance.
The Frigate and Balloon 717 have been chosen as the first trams to operate in the new look heritage tram operation. Martin added: “Both trams have played a prominent role in the history of Blackpool’s tramway, and it’s fitting they will be the first from our historic fleet returning to the promenade following a complete overhaul of our heritage operations.”
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “We’ve always known how important heritage trams are to our visitor economy. They are a big part of our history and heritage, and it will be great to see them back on the tracks.
“We’ve worked exceptionally hard with Blackpool Transport to make sure they can return for Lightpool Festival, and I really hope that people enjoy seeing the trams and more importantly show their commitment by booking on the pre-paid tours.
“This is one of the real benefits of having a transport company wholly owned by the council, that we can work together and find solutions to put our town first.”
More details about the planned Illumination Tours will be released in due course. The Lightpool Festival runs from 15th October until 1st November 2025.
What a complete insult to all other heritage trams that I am totally sure are fit to operate on Blackpool Tramway!!!
It is welcome news that two of the Heritage fleet are taking to the rails in October, but I wonder why there is the need for an ‘complete overhaul’ of the Heritage operations? All seemed well before the decision to suspend operations was taken at the end of last year. It seems that a veil was drawn over the reason(s). I think probably it’s because of the difficulty in operating the service from Rigby Road and the poor condition of the Depot. I suppose that rules out the use of other members of the fleet so a few need to be made ready at the Starr Gate complex.
It’s good to read that the Heritage Tram service is to return in what would appear to be a manageable form. I suspect that the tramway operations were previously overstretched and at risk of falling foul of safety regulations, which would have jeopardised the future of the Heritage Service. I always believe it’s far better to do less and do it well. Blackpool Transport appear to have been proactive in ensuring a safe working future for the old favourites.
Oh dear, you cannot br serious!
Well, supposing they had just continued as they were with things going wrong (the perfect storm, it has been called). Eventually ORR would have issued a prohibition notice and then it would be ‘could the last one out turn off the lights’, maybe forever. Although not ideal, at least something workable has now been salvaged. Of course, only time will tell whether the Heritage operation can keep it together. Let’s hope so. As the saying goes, where there’s life there’s still hope.
Sorry, but what has been salvaged? I was at Tramtown last Wednesday, and asked two or three people what was happening after 1st November, by which I mean would heritage cars continue to run, or even run again in 2026. No-one seemed to know which, given BTS’s previous penchant for duplicitious behaviour, rather suggests the worst.
Similar questions on other sites have, likewise, met with what Edward Gibbon called ‘A mournful & solitary silence.’
Please don’t quote what ORR ‘would have’ done, as ORR have actually stated that the suspension decision was wholly made by BTS.
I would hope that the completion of staff training is awaited and that the guides at Tramtown have either not been informed of such completion as yet or are not currently at liberty to divulge any plans until such time as those plans are firmly set. I think we just need to wait patiently and try to trust those in charge of the process. Of course, the suspension decision was entirely made by BTS without doubt. However, what might have occurred had such steps not been taken? I believe that BTS were trying to be proactive in this instance.
The staff were well aware of the training. In fact one was a BTS employee. Do you really suggest that those who actually work at Tramtown would be deliberately kept in the dark, or are you perhaps simply familiar with the manner in which BTS habitually work?
I’m glad you agree that BTS were entirely responsible for the suspension. A shame that this was not stated at the outset. Instead, misleading references to certain safety systems were made/implied instead, which were replaced by the celebrated ‘complex operation issues’ suggestion once ORR had stated the facts.
As to what ‘might have occurred’ nothing dramatic had occurred in the previous ten or so years, had it? Suggesting that something might happen is surely simply an excuse.
Nothing dramatic occurred in the last 10 years? Apart from a serious fire in Twin Set 2, the Western Train carriage coupling failing completely at least twice…. All which could have had worse results but luckily did not. The fire in Twin Set 2 was a known problem and luckily the outcome was just damage to the tram and not to passengers or crew. And luck should not be playing a part in safety. Quite rightly the trams with similar wiring were immediately withdrawn.
I think the recent accident in Lisbon should be a wake up call to all those commenting along the lines of “well all worked ok for the last x years, why make changes”. It is proactive of Blackpool Transport to be working to more than just the bare minimum laid down by the ORR, and instead pushing the safety bar that little higher to cope with the specific situation that Blackpool deals with daily, i.e. trams on a crowded Promenade as an example.
Presumably you refer to the fire almost nine years ago to the day, in September, 2016. Unless I am much mistaken, didn’t heritage cars continue to operate for another eight years? Aside from that, the only other incident I have found involved the Trampower car, not part of the Heritage fleet, which suffered a fire during testing in 2007.
The recent incident in Lisbon involved a funicular, not a heritage tramcar, as you presumably already know, by the way.
As to operating on a ‘crowded promenade’ please feel free to provide a list of all the serious accidents which have occurred. Go back to 1885, if you wish!
ORR lay down standards for the entire light rail industry, of course. Hardly the ‘bare minimum!’
By your analogy, all flexity cars should have been withdrawn after one killed a pedestrian in Cleveleys in November, 2021. Which, of course, is absurd!
In reply to Geoff:
Following the fire on Twin Set 2, ALL heritage trams with the same wiring were immediately withdrawn. And they have not run since, until such cars can be rewired (twin set 5, 230 as examples).
ORR lay down a set of regulations for the industry which are the minimums to which an authority has to abide and cannot be of a lower standard. So yes, the ORR regulations by definition are the minimum required. Each operating authority can set their own safety requirements to a higher level if they want (such as is the case at Blackpool being proactive).
Of course Lisbon is a funicular, the point being (which you seem to have missed) is that it was another case of “all has worked ok for 100 years” and therefore no modifications taken and now they find the emergency brakes were not sufficient to stop a loaded funicular. What would have happened with the Western Train carriage if the coupling had broken on the climb from Gynn Square, with no emergency braking available to stop the runaway vehicle? Again Lady Luck played her part in the two cases of the coupling failure that both were on flat sections of track.
Plus (in Heritage alone) 715 hitting a Taxi, 2 main line derailments, Train brakes failing and having to be dragged, numerous dewirements and broken trolleys requiring cars to be recovered, many blown fuses, a minor fire on 680.
Was there not also at least one fatality and a couple of nasty collisions with Flexities
Sidebar from me – When was the 680 incident? Can’t say I’d heard of that one
When did 715 hit a taxi, and what were the circumstances? What do train derailments have to do with Blackpool’s heritage trams? Blackpool Standard 50 was scrapped after being blown over in a gale in 1940. I am surprised that you didn’t mention that!
Otherwise, I do not feel it relevant to discuss the vague claims you have made, other than the three comments above.
A – you won’t have heard about 680 it was empty at the time and dealt with quickly. No need for it to be reported. I only know as I was passing and happened to know one of the guys and asked what has happened.
Actually, the Lisbon funicular, though not relevant here, has undergone a number of modifications and improvements since it was first constructed.
I believe that it is regularly serviced, and inspected. Just as Blackpool’s heritage (and Flexity) cars are. The funicular failure is still under investigation, so perhaps further comment should be left until the results are known.
Would you suggest that the standards applied by ORR to every Light Rail System in the country are inadequate for Heritage cars running at around 15 miles per hour? Even when ORR say that these cars meet their standards?
You refer to ‘coupling failures’ but fail to give anything more than the vaguest of details, by the way.
I think I will leave it at that. You clearly are biased against Blackpool’s trams, whilst I might be accused of a bias towards them!
Its railed transport of course its relevant! You are aware that the ORR have gone through every Heritage operation with a fine tooth comb and continue to do so? Anything happens anywhere in the world and questions are asked. The question might be ‘can that happen here?’ and the answer may be ‘no’ but its still asked and considered. Its most definitely relevant to Great Orme!!
Geoff if you think Blackpool’s Heritage Trams run at 15 mph you are deluded.
They run at line speed which is up to 30kph in shared areas and up to 50kph (yes its kph in the manual) on reserved track.
They may average 15 to 20mph on the prom but not elsewhere and as we know accidents happen anywhere.