Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Trawler lights up Blackpool promenade!

Posted on Monday 24 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Friday 21st October, Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 finally took its rightful place on illumination tour duties for the first time since completion of its recent refurbishment. Although the tram had been launched two weeks earlier, problems with its new … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 14 Comments

Boat 236 gets stripped

Posted on Tuesday 18 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

When Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 236 was overhauled for operation at Crich Tramway Village, a thorough restoration was undertaken to return the tram to its 1950s appearance without end windscreens, and with its festoon lights later being added. However, one other … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 6 Comments

Preserved trams to run at Fleetwood docks?

Posted on Monday 17 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust are now reaching an advanced stage of planning a new visitor attraction in Fleetwood, as part of a major redevelopment of the town’s docks. Associated British Ports have confirmed their own plans and now the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 5 Comments

Big cash boost for Beamish Museum

Posted on Monday 17 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

There is a lot of celebrating going on at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, following the announcement that the museum had received a £10.9 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This successful bid will enable significant strides … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on Big cash boost for Beamish Museum

From Rigby Road to a Rugby school

Posted on Friday 14 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The new home of Blackpool Centenary car 643 has now been revealed, with the tram arriving at Brooke School in Rugby, which will presumably be its final destination. The tram has been undergoing an interior refurbishment at a railway maintenance … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | Comments Off on From Rigby Road to a Rugby school

The Trawler sails again!

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 has finally made its long-awaited return to service following a thorough overhaul. The tram made its first appearance on the promenade for nearly two years on Thursday 6th October, when it was unveiled to its main sponsors … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 19 Comments

More progress towards North Station

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to report that the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it will not be necessary to hold an inquiry or public hearing in regard of the application for the proposed tramway extension to North Station … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

Trawler launch tour announced for 7th October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Its been a long time coming, but the much-anticipated return to service of the illuminated Trawler 737 in Blackpool is now just a few days away. With the major refurbishment of the tram now nearly complete, it has been confirmed … Continue reading →

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Welcome home to the Hovertram!

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the surprise return of Blackpool Balloon car 708 to Blackpool on Wednesday 21st September, the following day saw an even more exciting return in the unmistakable shape of the illuminated Hovertram 735. As previously announced, this tram … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | Comments Off on Welcome home to the Hovertram!

Blackpool’s anniversary weekend expands

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

A late addition to the planned events for Blackpool’s tramway anniversary spectacular event, is a day of extra heritage tram operation on Friday 23rd September. A two-car heritage service will operate between Pleasure Beach and Tower/North Pier every twenty minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Trams on the move from NELSAM

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 21st September, initial preparations were made at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum (NELSAM) at Sunderland, to remove the illuminated Hovertram 735 from their storage depot for its journey by road back to Blackpool for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 7 Comments

Oporto coal tram on the road again

Posted on Monday 12 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Less than a week after it arrived at Crich Tramway Village for the first time ever, Oporto C65 left Crich for good early on the afternoon of Monday 12th September. The coal tram is bound for Beamish Museum, having been … Continue reading →

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Heaton Park’s winter work forces three month closure

Posted on Friday 9 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway have an ambitious workshop programme planned for winter 2016/17 and beyond, and to allow the scarce volunteer resources to be focussed accordingly, it has been decided not to operate a tram service this winter. This also … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 32 Comments

Amended schedule for Crich ‘Tram Day’

Posted on Friday 9 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

With a fairly depressing weather forecast, organisers of the ‘Tram Day’ at Crich on Saturday 10th September have made a few tweaks to the previously advertised programme of events. The main photographic line-ups will still take place as planned, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

Douglas horse trams on the move!

Posted on Thursday 8 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The first two of the recently sold Douglas horse trams have now left their home system, following the recent auction to sell off six redundant tramcars. Both 33 and 34 have already left Strathallan depot, although both are set to … Continue reading →

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Heaton Park trams star at Trans Lanc Rally

Posted on Thursday 8 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The annual Trans Lanc Rally day, staged by the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport, sees a huge array of historic vehicles displayed in the vast grounds of Manchester’s Heaton Park. To compliment the event, an enhanced tram service operates through … Continue reading →

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Oporto C65 gets ready for the weekend

Posted on Wednesday 7 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

As previously reported, Oporto C65 – a coal tram – is set to be the star attraction at ‘Tram Day’, the main annual enthusiast event being held at Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 10th September. The tramcar has now arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

Let there be light!

Posted on Tuesday 6 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

As most seaside resorts see their custom decrease, Blackpool steps up a gear for the annual illuminations. After the preview event a few days earlier, this year’s ‘lights’ were officially switched on by Dame Barbara Windsor on Friday 2nd September, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 14 Comments

Another busy Bank Holiday for Blackpool’s heritage trams

Posted on Friday 2 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The August Bank Holiday weekend saw the latest period of intensive operation for Blackpool’s heritage tram tours which was largely blessed with fine weather. This slightly belated report summarises the events of the long weekend, including which trams ran on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 10 Comments

Heaton Park Tramway suspend a Saturday service

Posted on Friday 2 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway have stated that the planned Saturday service will not operate on 3rd September. However, the trams will be running on Sunday 4th September with a three-car service expected to coincide with the annual Trans Lanc Rally … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 19 Comments