Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

In pictures: Blackpool 643’s new career at Broadwater

Posted on Monday 16 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Regular readers of this website will probably remember that Blackpool Centenary car 643 has now been adapted for use as a static cafe at its new home within the grounds of Broadwater Caravan Park. During a recent visit to Blackpool, Andrew … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Oporto 273 set to return to service

Posted on Sunday 15 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

During the annual Enthusiasts Day held at Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 14th September, Oporto 273 was transferred from the main depot complex to the workshop. Although this move was somewhat upstaged by the appearance of several far more elusive … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 8 Comments

Major changes for Crich events programme in 2014

Posted on Saturday 14 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Following several years of stability, the programme of special events held at Crich Tramway Village is set to undergo a major refresh for 2014, with a number of new ideas to be tried out and other more established events moved … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 18 Comments

Another blow for the Beamish running fleet

Posted on Friday 13 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The fleet of operating trams at Beamish Museum has been dealt its second blow in recent weeks, following on from the recent withdrawal of Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 ahead of its journey to America, with the news that Grimsby & Immingham … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 3 Comments

Full schedule revealed for Crich Enthusiast’s Day

Posted on Wednesday 11 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

With just a few days to go until the annual Enthusiast’s Day is held at Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 14th September, it is pleasing to announce that a more detailed schedule of the day’s activities has now been published … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 4 Comments

New sponsor for illuminated Rocket tram

Posted on Tuesday 10 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

One of the most popular attractions of last year’s Blackpool illuminations was the iconic illuminated Rocket 732, which was cosmetically restored and put on static display in the centre of the Gynn Square roundabout in August 2012. The tram has … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 2 Comments

Another one bites the dust at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 10 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Sadly, Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331 has become the latest vehicle to be withdrawn from service at Crich Tramway Village, home of the National Tramway Museum. Following on from the withdrawal of Blackpool & Fleetwood ‘Rack’ 2, Southampton 45 and Johannesburg … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 11 Comments

A new name for Blackpool ‘Boat’ 227

Posted on Thursday 5 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The ‘Friends of Blackpool Tower’ Facebook group has revealed that one of Blackpool’s most legendary entertainers is shortly to be honoured with a tramcar named in his honour. Charlie Cairoli was the most famous clown ever to perform at the … Continue reading →

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New website and a new timetable for Blackpool Transport

Posted on Wednesday 4 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport has just unveiled a very impressive new look website, promoting the company and its various activities. Whereas the previous website was largely focussed on the bus side of the firm’s operations, the trams feature much more prominently now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

Topless tours of Blackpool illuminations

Posted on Wednesday 4 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

After just three evenings of operation for Blackpool Transport’s illumination tours by heritage tramcar, a very credible five different vehicles have already been selected for use in this role, with two open top cars joining the familiar illuminated trams thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Thank-you and goodnight from Boat 605

Posted on Monday 2 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Boat car 233/605 performed its final passenger journeys at its current home in the North East on Sunday 1st September, which was also the fourth and final day of the ‘Power from the Past’ event at Beamish Museum. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 40 Comments

Heritage trams light up Blackpool

Posted on Monday 2 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Two nights after the Blackpool illuminations were officially switched-on for another season, Sunday 1st September saw a belated beginning for tours of the lights by tram, using the illuminated feature cars and other members of the heritage fleet. As reported previously, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Picture in Time 11: Vanguard 619’s 2008 comeback

Posted on Sunday 1 September 2013 by Andrew Waddington

For our latest archive photo feature, we take a timely look back to the first weekend of the 2008 Blackpool illuminations, and the return to service of Replica Vanguard 619 following an extended lay-off. This was a time when a … Continue reading →

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‘Condition survey’ for Box car 40

Posted on Thursday 29 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Members of the Crich workshop team, along with a Museum Curator, recently paid a visit to Blackpool to examine the 1914-built Blackpool & Fleetwood 40, which has been on long-term loan to Blackpool Transport from the national collection since 1996. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | Comments Off on ‘Condition survey’ for Box car 40

Leeds 107 moves to Crich

Posted on Wednesday 28 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Following a busy weekend, Leeds 107 departed its temporary home at the Middleton Railway on Tuesday 27th August, arriving at its new home later the same day. The superbly restored horse tram has now arrived at Crich Tramway Village where it … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, Leeds Transport Historical Society | 5 Comments

Heritage trams by night in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 27 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport have now confirmed details of their plans for illumination tours during 2013. It is extremely pleasing to report that, although the tram output will understandably be dominated by the three illuminated feature cars, the rest of the heritage … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Accident at Leeds horse tram launch event

Posted on Tuesday 27 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The entry into public service of newly restored Leeds horse tramcar 107 at the Middleton Railway over the August Bank Holiday weekend ended in tragedy, after a tragic accident resulted in one of the horse handlers being injured when one … Continue reading →

Posted in Leeds Transport Historical Society | 5 Comments

Blackpool ‘Extramaganza’ ends in fine style

Posted on Tuesday 27 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

August Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August, was the final day of daytime heritage tram operation in Blackpool for the 2013 season, and the grand finale turned out to be another fantastic day of tram action, blessed by the glorious weather … Continue reading →

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Bank Holiday boating in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 25 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The fourth and final long Bank Holiday weekend ‘heritage’ tram operation in Blackpool got underway on Saturday 24th August, with a varied selection of trams appearing in service over the course of the weekend. However, thanks in no small part … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Boat 605 sale approved by (some) shareholders?

Posted on Sunday 25 August 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Correspondence between Andrew Waddington of British Trams Online and the Trustees of the Lancastrian Transport Trust has shed some further light on the ongoing sale of Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 605‘s sale. As I’m sure you will know by now, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Fylde Transport Trust | 26 Comments