Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Tiger tram 622 escapes threat of extinction!

Posted on Thursday 7 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

In a shock development, Blackpool Brush Railcoach 622 was transported back to Rigby Road depot on Thursday 7th November, having been forced out of its former home at the Lancastrian Transport Trust’s base at Brinwell Road. Although 622 is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 42 Comments

MER 3 rises from the dead!

Posted on Thursday 7 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Just a few days after Halloween, a long-lost electric tramcar made a return to prominence. The vehicle in question was Manx Electric Railway 3, a tram which was tragically lost in the depot fire some decades ago. So, how did … Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | Comments Off on MER 3 rises from the dead!

Glasgow 488 restoration makes progress

Posted on Wednesday 6 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Since being repatriated following five decades spent in Paris, work has commenced on a major restoration of Glasgow ‘Standard’ car 488. Since being moved inside the Boston Lodge railway works at the Ffestinog Railway at the end of the summer, … Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | Comments Off on Glasgow 488 restoration makes progress

An eventful end to 2013 at Birkenhead

Posted on Wednesday 6 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Recently the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have released details of two special events taking place on the Birkenhead heritage tramway, featuring their historic tram collection. At a time of year when most museum lines are winding down for the winter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | Comments Off on An eventful end to 2013 at Birkenhead

Confusion over new Blackpool winter timetable

Posted on Wednesday 6 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

As the Blackpool tramway prepares for the onslaught of winter, Blackpool Transport have already released information regarding the new timetables which will be introduced on Monday 11th November; after the final night of the 2013 illuminations season. This will see … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Sunderland 16 gets lifted

Posted on Wednesday 6 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The fortunes of the Beamish tram fleet seem to be improving, following a spate of bad luck recently. Grimsby & Immingham 26 re-entered service in late October following repairs to a motor defect, and this in turn has allowed staff … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 4 Comments

Start date confirmed for NEETT depot construction

Posted on Monday 4 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

As many tramways wind down for the year – at least in terms of welcoming visitors – the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust are now gearing up for what will almost certainly be the most intense period of activity in … Continue reading →

Posted in North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | Comments Off on Start date confirmed for NEETT depot construction

Crich closes its doors on 2013 season

Posted on Monday 4 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Sunday 3rd November was the last day of the 2013 operating season at Crich Tramway Village. The final open weekend of the year was actually quite an eventful one, with a number of non-operational trams being shunted around the depot … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

A Twin car treat for half term week

Posted on Monday 4 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

For tram enthusiasts in Blackpool, the highlight of the recent school half-term holiday was probably the use of Twin set 272+T2 on illumination tours. The beautifully painted cream Twin car had not carried passengers since May, but emerged on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 runs in America

Posted on Friday 1 November 2013 by Andrew Waddington

On October 31st, Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 (605) ran under its own power for the first time since arriving at its new American home in San Francisco. Since the tram arrived just one week ago, a considerable amount of work has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Heritage Trams this week…

Posted on Thursday 31 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The days may be getting shorter and the weather might be getting colder, but there are still a few places in the UK where you can get a vintage trams fix – and if that’s what you want in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Support our Heritage Tramways | Comments Off on Heritage Trams this week…

Cosmetic attention for Edinburgh 35

Posted on Thursday 31 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Surprising news from Crich Tramway Village involves arguably one of the most undervalued trams on display at Crich, which has recently moved into the workshop to receive its first significant attention since joining the national tram collection. The tram in … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Blackpool trams celebrate Halloween at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 30 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

One of the most popular annual events at Crich Tramway Village was held on Saturday 26th October, in the shape of the ever-popular Starlight Halloween event. For one night only, trams operated in passenger service until 9:00pm and the village … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 9 Comments

Heaton Park Autumn Gala scaled down

Posted on Tuesday 29 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway has released a statement confirming that its advertised Autumn Gala day on Sunday 17th November has been reduced in scope. This is due to the fact that work on the new Lakeside Depot is not sufficiently complete … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 5 Comments

Crich announce first events for 2014

Posted on Tuesday 29 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Crich Tramway Village have uploaded details of the first few special events for the 2014 season to their website – although thus far this consists of little to interest the tram enthusiast market. Just four ‘premiere’ events have been confirmed … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 23 Comments

Winter closure for Heaton Park

Posted on Monday 28 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The Manchester Transport Museum Society have decided not to operate a tram service on the Heaton Park Tramway during December 2013 and January 2014, having run throughout the winter period apart from a short Christmas break in the last couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 3 Comments

Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 docks in San Francisco

Posted on Sunday 27 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The long journey of Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 to its new American home is finally over, with the car reaching its final destination of the Market Street Railway in San Francisco on Friday 25th October. This followed a mammoth journey for … Continue reading →

Posted in Fylde Transport Trust | 4 Comments

Balloon cars prepare for winter weather

Posted on Sunday 27 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Two Blackpool Balloon cars in different locations have been undergoing preparations for the worsening weather expected as winter approaches, with contrasting jobs being carried out on cars 701 and 721 within the past week. This is a slightly depressing reminder … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 2 Comments

The Balloons are back!

Posted on Saturday 26 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The school half-term holidays at the end of October traditionally mark the busiest period of the year for the Blackpool tramway, as many families flock to the seaside to see the illuminations. Last year, this was reflected by Blackpool Transport’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

Preston Trampower project “did not work out”

Posted on Thursday 24 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

It appears that the latest plans by the Trampower consortium have fizzled out, with proposals for a new demonstration line at Preston seemingly having been axed. The organisation’s website has now been taken offline, with anyone attempting to view it … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston Trampower | 11 Comments