The latest member of Blackpool’s heritage tram fleet to pay a visit to the state-of-the-art tram depot at Starr Gate, is Twin set 272+T2. The pair first visited this building last autumn to rectify some minor defects, and now they have returned in preparation for use during 2014. When cutbacks for the heritage tram service were announced it was feared that the Twin car – which requires a crew of three whenever it runs – may struggle to find a role on the tramway this year, but happily it is now being commissioned early in the year.
It is not known when 272+T2 actually made the journey from Rigby Road to Starr Gate, but with depot transfers generally taking place every Friday for the last few weeks, it is most likely that it moved on March 7th. This latest move means that cars 66, 147, 230, 272+T2, 631, 648, 706 and 717 have all spent time at Starr Gate for commissioning work ahead of the return of the heritage tram service at Easter. This means that most of the operational historic trams have now passed through this process, bearing in mind that Box 40 is currently undergoing more extensive work and Balloon 701 is expected to be repainted before it makes its year debut in passenger service. This should ensure that a great selection of cars will be available for Easter, and will get another year of heritage operation off to the best possible start.
What of 723, 642 and the ex-LTT cars? Are they not being used this season?
We don’t know for sure yet. As Paul says, the trams are being commissioned in a logical order based on getting as many trams as possible roadworthy in the shortest time possible. 723 is already at Starr Gate but whether it is being prepared for service or is merely on stand-by as a snowplough car has never been confirmed. As for the LTT trams – with the possible exception of 304 (which comes with its own unique challenges, most notably non-standard control equipment which will require driver familiarisation) none are serviceable. Don’t forget that many of these trams have been stood outside for a year or more and have suffered some degree of damage, whilst the work on 143 & 279 was nowhere near complete when the cars returned to Rigby Road last year. All good things will come to he who waits, but if he has a big cheque lying around it will certainly speed things up!
It did move last Friday 7th to Starr Gate. 604 and 648 went back. The moves take on place on Fridays due to restrictions around manchester Square as the work hasn’t been completed, this has been agreed with bts and the council.
600, 602 and 642 are expected to come down eventually.
The cars are being prepared in a logical order – be patient and give them time to run through the rest…
Those done so far give maximum variety in time for Easter with minimum input by selecting those needing least effort and not duplicating types. – it would be a bit embarrassing if for example all the boats were preped first and it rains every day over Easter! The LTT cars need more work than cars that ran last year while the likes of 723 and 642 duplicate 717 and 648 so fall behind the twin car and 147 which offer something distinctly different.
Hi Andrew
You mentioned that a number of operational historic trams have entered Starr Gate Depot, 66, 147, 230 & Box 40 are a few of the historic trams utilizing a trolley to collect current, are you aware of the built in design to Starr Gate to allow the trams with trolleys to enter and leave the depot yard from the main line without causing serious problem
I’m guessing you are asking if the overhead at Starr Gate can be use by trams with Trolley-poles?
If so, Yes all the overhead in Blackpool is set up to allow use of either Trolley-poles or Pantographs…
Hi Paul
No it’s not the overhead, The full system as you realise allows the use of both pantographs and trolleys, although recent overhead upgrades now use a section insulator developed by Arthur Flury for the Melbourne Tramway.
Starr Gate as with modern tramway depots, are fed separately to allow the track negative to be at earth potential to maintain a safe working environment for the maintenance staff, as the track negative throughout the main line is floating (insulated from the ground) to reduce stray currents.
Pantographs on trams are always inboard of any wheel sets thus causing no issue when traversing the insulated track joints and the section insulators together, but trams with their trolleys overhanging the trailing end, with both the section insulator and the rail joints at the same location would cause the tram to loose power as crosses under the section insulator, resulting in the tram floating and becoming live with respect to the ground.
To overcome this hazardous situation, the insulated rail joints on each of the two rails are staggered, so the tram is always connected to the same supply from both the positive overhead and negative rail.
These staggered joints are located at both entrances to the depot.