Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Wallasey 78 celebrates our Queen

Posted on Monday 14 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The Birkenhead heritage tramway’s Wallasey 78 has recently received new period style between-deck signwriting, ‘Loyal greetings to Her Majesty’. This is in recognition of Queen Elizabeth II’s recent remarkable achievement, in becoming the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Great … Continue reading →

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3 X B

Posted on Monday 14 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Sunday 13th September was another noteworthy day for the Blackpool tramway, and the modified pool of ‘B Fleet’ Balloon cars in particular. For what is thought to be the first time since 2012, three of these trams were utilised in … Continue reading →

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Flexity 007 named Alan Whitbread

Posted on Monday 14 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

007 has become the second of Blackpool’s Flexity2 class of trams to be named. The tram has received the name ‘Alan Whitbread’ in gold lettering at both ends, beneath the driver’s windscreens. This follows on from sister 002 which was … Continue reading →

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Preparations for ‘TMS 60’ event get underway

Posted on Saturday 12 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Workshop staff at Crich Tramway Village had an earlier start than usual on Saturday 12th September, shunting various trams in preparation for next week’s ‘TMS 60’ event which is being held on 19th September. As previously reported, this will predominantly … Continue reading →

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Extra Friday fun in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 12 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

There were some strange goings-on in Blackpool on Friday 11th September when a limited heritage tram service operated completely unadvertised. It is believed that staff who were on duty for illumination tours during the evening were allocated trams and sent … Continue reading →

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Sheffield 264 takes to the tracks (sort of!)

Posted on Friday 11 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The restoration of Sheffield 264 at Beamish Museum has reached another landmark on 9th September. Whilst the body work remains incomplete, the truck has now been fully overhauled and reassembled, and on this day it was taken out for an … Continue reading →

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Model trams stolen from Heaton Park

Posted on Monday 7 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

During the model tram show held as part of the annual Trans Lanc Rally at Heaton Park on Sunday 6th September, two model trams were noted missing, believed stolen, from the exhibition at the Middleton Road tram depot.

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, Models | 3 Comments

Blackpool illuminations – the greatest free show on earth returns!

Posted on Monday 7 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

In Blackpool, the 2015 illuminations season is now underway and of course that means lots of exciting activity on the tramway! Whilst the period of midweek daytime operation for the heritage trams is now over for the year, these will … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Hull 96 goes under wraps!

Posted on Sunday 6 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The repaint of Hull 96 is now well underway with Heritage Painting moving in to the Heaton Park Tramway’s Middleton Road Depot on 1st September to start work on the tram following extensive preparation of the bodywork by volunteers. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 7 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary cars 641 & 648

Posted on Friday 4 September 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Today we turn the clock back eight years with a view of two Centenary cars at Pleasure Beach as the sun falls on one of the first evenings of the 2007 illuminations season in Blackpool. Despite being relatively recent, much … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

A record-breaking Bank Holiday in Blackpool

Posted on Monday 31 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Blackpool’s heritage trams were once again out in force with the now familiar gold timetable in operation on both Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August. Normally six trams would be used for this, which … Continue reading →

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Ride the Lights by Frigate

Posted on Monday 31 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have decided to capitalise on this year’s ‘Ride the Lights’ event on Tuesday 1st September, with a special illuminations tour being offered on Frigate 736. As has become an annual tradition in Blackpool, a preview of … Continue reading →

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Black & white blinds for a red & white Balloon

Posted on Saturday 29 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Almost exactly one year after debuting in service in its recreated red & white ‘Routemaster’ livery as first seen in 1991, Blackpool Balloon 701 now has an even more authentic appearance thanks to the addition of black and white destination … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 8 Comments

In Pictures: Hull 96 sees daylight again

Posted on Wednesday 26 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The renovation of Hull 96 at the Heaton Park Tramway continues to make impressive progress ahead of its planned October launch. On Tuesday 25th August, the tram was briefly brought outside to allow Blackpool 623 to be placed over the … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331

Posted on Monday 24 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331 is a tram which has featured before in our archive photo series, following its restoration to passenger-carrying status at Crich in its latter day identity as Sunderland 100. However, a little known fact about 331 is … Continue reading →

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680 set to run in Blackpool this month!

Posted on Sunday 23 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Following the exciting news of Blackpool 680‘s arrival at Rigby Road on Friday 21st August, no time has been wasted in preparing the tram for service and it has now been revealed that it will make its public debut over … Continue reading →

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September launch confirmed for Liverpool 245

Posted on Saturday 22 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

After a whole host of issues and delays, a new launch date has finally been announced for Liverpool ‘Baby Grand’ 245 – the tram is set to enter public service on the Birkenhead tramway for the first time ever on … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 13 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool 680 comes home

Posted on Friday 21 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Following a super-fast but superb repaint into its 1990s livery, Blackpool Ex-Towing car 680 was transported from Manchester back to Blackpool on the morning of Friday 21st August by Calkelds Heavy Haulage. Less than two weeks after it ran at … Continue reading →

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Private and public events to mark ‘TMS 60’

Posted on Thursday 20 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, the Tramway Museum Society celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year and this milestone will be marked with a special event entitled ‘TMS60’ which is being held on Saturday 19th September, incorporating the annual Enthusiasts Day. However, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

Railcoaches prepare to return home

Posted on Wednesday 19 August 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Two of Blackpool’s classic single deck Railcoaches are now ready and waiting to return home to Rigby Road thanks to some recent positive developments. The repaint of Ex-Towing car 680 at the Heaton Park Tramway has now been completed, whilst … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, Heaton Park Tramway | 5 Comments