Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Lisbon 730 to visit Beamish?

Posted on Friday 9 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have announced that plans afoot for Lisbon 730 to make the journey to Beamish Museum for a visit during spring 2013. Although no dates have been revealed, this will presumably coincide with a major event … Continue reading →

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Blackpool Centenary car for sale… or is it!?

Posted on Wednesday 7 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The future of Blackpool Centenary car 646 is looking decidely uncertain, following the appearance of a bizarre listing on the popular internet auction site eBay. At first glance, it appears that 646 is available for sale online, but a closer look at … Continue reading →

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Glasgow 1068: to run or not to run?

Posted on Tuesday 6 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a very surprising move, the newly repainted Glasgow 1068 (ex-Paisley 68) at Crich Tramway Village has been moved into the Great Exhibition Hall. The move occured shortly before the end of the main running season, following a brief period … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

Another season ends at Crich

Posted on Sunday 4 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The 2012 season at Crich Tramway Village came to an end on Sunday 4th November, with Metropolitan 331, Leeds 399 and Glasgow 812 in service on this cold and damp day. The final passenger journey of the year was performed … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

Free entry to Crich this winter – but no tram rides!

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Crich Tramway Village have announced that free admission to some parts of the site will be offered every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between November 6th and December 13th this year. Opening hours are 10:30am to 3:30pm. However, sadly no trams … Continue reading →

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Purple and rain in Blackpool as 711 returns to use

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

An interesting week on the Blackpool tramway, which saw most of the modified double-deck trams known as the ‘B Fleet’ back in service for the school half-term holidays, came to an end on Friday 2nd November. The highlight of this … Continue reading →

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Open Boat 233 stars at late-night photo shoot

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A late evening photo charter held at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North on 2nd November provided an unexpected appearance from Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233. Although the star of the show was fellow Blackpool tram Coronation 304, with Grimsby & Immingham … Continue reading →

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A full house of Flexities at Starr Gate

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following a lengthy absence from British shores, Blackpool Flexity 002 finally returned to its home system on the morning of Thursday 1st November. Following a very brief stint in service in April, this tram had been returned to Germany whilst … Continue reading →

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Balloon cars return – but not at weekends!

Posted on Monday 29 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The eagerly-awaited use of several refurbished Balloon cars in Blackpool for the busy school holidays finally occured on Monday 29th October, when no less than five of the type were used in normal passenger service. The trams mainly operated between … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Brush cars by night

Posted on Monday 29 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The major changes made to the Blackpool tramway, have meant that many things we once took for granted have now been consigned to the past. One such pleasure was the experience of riding on a Brush Railcoach in darkness. The … Continue reading →

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Brighter look for Grimsby & Immingham 26

Posted on Sunday 28 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The repaint of long-term Beamish Museum resident Gateshead 10 into its later identity as Grimsby & Immingham 26 has recently been further enhanced, by the fitting of replica lamps at each end above the driver’s windscreen. These high-level lights were … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 5 Comments

Glasgow 1115 returns to static display

Posted on Sunday 28 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Glasgow 1115‘s spell in the limelight is now over, with the tram being returned to the Great Exhibition Hall at Crich Tramway Village. This car was famously extracted late in the summer for a starring role in a major event … Continue reading →

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Transport Secretary of State visits Crich

Posted on Sunday 28 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Derbyshire Dales MP Patrick McLoughlin, who is also the Secretary of State for Transport, paid a brief visit to the Crich Tramway Village on Friday 26th October. During his time at the museum, the MP took to the controls of … Continue reading →

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Blackpool Coronation 304 back in service – in snow!

Posted on Saturday 27 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The much-hyped debut in passenger service of the Lancastrian Transport Trust’s preserved Blackpool Coronation 304 at Beamish Museum finally took place on Saturday 27th October. This duly made 304 the very first of its class ever to carry passengers away … Continue reading →

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LTT commission independent ‘Strategy Review’

Posted on Saturday 27 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

2012 has, without a doubt, been an extremely difficult year for the Lancastrian Transport. Amidst falling donations and a major deterioration in the charity’s relationship with Blackpool Transport, many of their trams have ended up in outside storage and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fylde Transport Trust | 11 Comments

Improved winter tram service for Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 27 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport have revealed details of their winter tram service, with full timetables now available at www.blackpooltransport.com. This is a commendable move as sometimes in the past, timetables were not available until they had already been implemented; the illuminations are … Continue reading →

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Coronation 304 runs at Beamish!

Posted on Wednesday 24 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following completion of commissioning work – including the fitting of a newly overhauled trolley base – Blackpool 304 became the first of the popular Blackpool ‘Coronation’ cars to operate away from the Fylde Coast, when it undertook its first test … Continue reading →

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Last chance to see 5 & 765 (for now!)

Posted on Wednesday 24 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A special Halloween event on Sunday 28th October will provide the last opportunity for a while to enjoy a three-car service at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester. As reported previously, both Stockport 5 and Manchester 765 will be temporarily withdrawn … Continue reading →

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More rarities for Red Oktober at Crich

Posted on Monday 22 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

After a year that has been packed with interest and surprises at Crich Tramway Village, enthusiasts could be forgiven for expecting the staff and volunteers to take some time to recover, having provided some unforgettable scenes for tram enthusiasts to … Continue reading →

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Glasgow 1282: the cost of restoration?

Posted on Saturday 20 October 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The recent inclusion of Glasgow ‘Coronation’ 1282 during the celebration of 50 years since the last tram operated in  Glasgow has been a very memorable occasion, when it was possible to experience this wonderful tram by taking a ride along … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 1 Comment