Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

A bright future for the Sunderland Balloon

Posted on Friday 21 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The long-term future of Blackpool Balloon car 703 is now looking more secure than ever before, following the announcement that it has become the latest tram to be sold by the Lancastrian Transport Trust to a new owner. The tram … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 9 Comments

Sheffield 510 comes back to life

Posted on Tuesday 18 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

A major milestone in the extensive overhaul of Sheffield ‘Roberts’ car 510 at the National Tramway Museum, Crich, occured on Tuesday 18th February, when the tram emerged from the workshop under its own power for the first time since major … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

MTMS launch Blackpool tram support fund

Posted on Monday 17 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The Manchester Transport Museum Society have launched a new fund which has been created specifically to support the various Blackpool trams it has acquired for operation at the Heaton Park Tramway. This will allow fans of the classic Blackpool cars … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

New owners confirmed for Blackpool 671

Posted on Monday 17 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

After a number of twists and turns in its recent past, Blackpool Towing car 671 is set for a new home with a new name to the transport preservation movement, the Tyne Tees Transport Trust. This group are believed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 4 Comments

Seaton Tramway hit by floods

Posted on Sunday 16 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

It isn’t just Blackpool that has been badly affected by the recent storms that have ravaged the British Isles; the Seaton Tramway in Devon has been an even greater victim of the extreme weather conditions. Damage sustained to the tramway’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | 2 Comments

A novel use for ex-tram seats

Posted on Friday 14 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The withdrawal of the original fleet of T68 LRVs from service on the Manchester Metrolink system, has provided a glut of modern tram parts which are potentially up for grabs. One organisation that has been quick to seize this opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Blackpool gala at Beamish confirmed

Posted on Friday 14 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The planned mini-event at Beamish Museum, starring the four Blackpool trams currently on site, is now expected to take place on the weekend of Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March. This is likely to be the only such opportunity to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 3 Comments

Blackpool Transport weather the storms

Posted on Thursday 13 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 12th February, gale force winds reaching 90mph hit the Fylde coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Buildings such as Anchorsholme Library, the cage next to the wedding chapel at North Pier and even the famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Blackpool and Crich announce tram swap for 2014

Posted on Wednesday 12 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Following a considerable amount of speculation, it has been announced that Blackpool Transport and the Tramway Museum Society have successfully concluded negotiations for an exchange of trams during the 2014 summer season. Blackpool ‘Pantograph’ car 167 of 1928 is set … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | 35 Comments

Bryan Lindop reveals Blackpool heritage plans for 2014

Posted on Tuesday 11 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport have announced details of the plans for its heritage tram service during the 2014 season. Disappointingly, despite encouraging passenger numbers last summer, the number of running days has been reduced for the second consecutive year. Outside of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 25 Comments

A record-breaking year for Beamish Museum

Posted on Saturday 8 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Management, staff and volunteers at Beamish Museum are celebrating this week following the announcement that 2013 was the North East attraction’s most successful year ever. Over the past twelve months an incredible 589,474 visitors came to sample the delights of … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 2 Comments

Heritage trams visit Starr Gate

Posted on Friday 7 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The presence of two tram depots in Blackpool has added some added intrigue to an already fascinating tramway, with various trams being moved between the two sites for a number of reasons. Most of the operational heritage cars have now … Continue reading →

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Blackpool 167 enters service at Beamish

Posted on Sunday 2 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 1st February, Blackpool 167 became the first tram from the collection of the National Tramway Museum to operate in passenger service during 2014. However, the tram wasn’t running at Crich, but instead at Beamish Museum, where it had … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Edinburgh 35’s new/old look

Posted on Sunday 2 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

One of the main incentives behind the decision to have a limited open day at Crich Tramway Village to co-incide with a major shunting operation on Saturday 1st February, was to show off the recent work undertaken on Edinburgh 35. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 7 Comments

A grand day out at Crich for ‘The Big Shunt’

Posted on Saturday 1 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 1st February, the doors of the National Tramway Museum were thrown open unusually early, to allow enthusiasts to witness a series of interesting shunting movements involving tramcars which are not currently part of the operational fleet. Although no … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 3 Comments

More details on ‘The Big Shunt’ at Crich

Posted on Friday 31 January 2014 by Andrew Waddington

As previously announced, Crich Tramway Village will be open to the public on Saturday 1st February to allow enthusiasts to witness some unusual shunting movements, with several trams due to be moved in and out of the Exhibition Hall. In … Continue reading →

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Blackpool 167 runs at Beamish

Posted on Thursday 30 January 2014 by Andrew Waddington

After arriving at Beamish Museum on Monday 27th January, Blackpool Pantograph car 167 didn’t have to wait long to make its debut on the tramway. Following some minor attention, the car was out on test around the site later the … Continue reading →

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Cosmetic attention for Beamish and Seaton trams

Posted on Thursday 30 January 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Now that we are in the depths of winter, the requirement for open top vehicles on the few heritage tramways that remain open for business is low, allowing some of these trams to receive some well-deserved attention. At Beamish Museum, … Continue reading →

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Blackpool 167 swaps North Station for Rowley Station

Posted on Monday 27 January 2014 by Andrew Waddington

For the second time this year, Beamish Museum took delivery of a very special tramcar on the morning of Monday 27th January, courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. Blackpool ‘Pantograph’ car 167 arrived on loan from Crich on this day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

Crich invites enthusiasts to witness winter shunting

Posted on Friday 24 January 2014 by Andrew Waddington

In an unusual but very welcome development, Crich Tramway Village will throw open its doors on Saturday 1st February to allow enthusiasts to see some unusual shunting movements. A number of trams which rarely emerge into the great outdoors are … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | Comments Off on Crich invites enthusiasts to witness winter shunting