Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Welcome return for Blackpool’s heritage trams

Posted on Wednesday 1 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following an enforced four-day absence due to defective points at the Pleasure Beach loop, it is pleasing to report that the heritage tram tours in Blackpool resumed on Wednesday 1st August, when Brush Railcoach 631 and Balloon 717 were in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Crich or Coplawhill?

Posted on Wednesday 1 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Crich workshop is currently resembling a mini-Coplawhill, the legendary works of the extensive Glasgow Coroporation tramway system. As the Museum gears up to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of Glasgow’s tramway, work is well in hand to … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 6 Comments

Beamish 196 transformed

Posted on Wednesday 1 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The overhaul of Beamish 196 is fast approaching completion and the tram is now beginning to receive its new blue livery, in the style of the long-lost South Shields tram system. This replaces the Gateshead-inspired maroon and cream livery it … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on Beamish 196 transformed

London 60 at Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Tuesday 31 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

On 5th July 1952, the city of London bid a fond farewell to its extensive tramway network. Sixty years and three days later, a commemorative event took place at Crich Tramway Village, to showcase the superb fleet of preserved London … Continue reading →

Posted in Event Reviews, National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on London 60 at Crich Tramway Village

Prestigious award for Cardiff 131

Posted on Sunday 29 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Tramway Museum Society are celebrating after winning an award from the Heritage Railway Association for the restoration of Cardiff water car 131. The prize was received in the category of ‘Self-Propelled Vehicle’ in a competion of wagons and carriages, … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

Balloon cars save the day in Blackpool!

Posted on Saturday 28 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The morning of July 28th was an unexpectedly eventful one for the Blackpool tramway, due to an accident which occured on New South Promenade early in the morning. Full details are not known, but it is understood that a motorist lost control … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Heritage-free weekend in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 28 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

With regret, we report that the scheduled heritage tram tours in Blackpool have been cancelled this weekend, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July. This is due to the Pleasure Beach loop being temporarily out of action, and follows what has … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Rocket tram prepares to light up Gynn Square

Posted on Friday 27 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Since leaving its long-term home at Blackpool’s Rigby Road tram shed, no time has been wasted in preparing the illuminated Rocket 732 for static display as one of the star attractions of the 2012 illuminations. 732 moved to Blackpool Council’s illuminations … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | Comments Off on Rocket tram prepares to light up Gynn Square

Manx Transport Festival hit by tram shortage

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The annual Manx Transport Festival is now well underway with many transport enthusiasts flocking to the Isle of Man in order to sample the very best that the railways and tramways of this island paradise have to offer. Unfortunately, plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 3 Comments

Trams run on Tuesdays at Heaton Park

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Earlier this week, Blackpool Transport began operating their popular heritage tram coastal tours seven days a week, but they are not the only tramway to have commenced a midweek vintage tram service for the peak summer period. In an unexpected … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on Trams run on Tuesdays at Heaton Park

Heaton Park Tramway points towards the future!

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A small but significant event occured at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester on Tuesday 24th July 2012, when a refurbished set of points were laid at the new Lakeside terminus and connected up to the existing stub track. Eventually, these … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on Heaton Park Tramway points towards the future!

Flexities steal heritage tram crews

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

So far, 2012 has seen a highly succesful mix of core service vehicles and traditional heritage tram tours operating together on the Blackpool tramway. Despite many critics voicing concerns that mixing new and old rolling stock in this way would … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Flexities steal heritage tram crews

Tram returns to Immingham after 51 years away!

Posted on Monday 23 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The much-hyped loan of Grimsby & Immingham 14 from the National Tramway Museum at Crich, to Immingham took place over the weekend of 21st/22nd July. This historic occasion saw the tram return to Immingham for the first time since the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Tram returns to Immingham after 51 years away!

Child dies at Beamish Museum

Posted on Monday 23 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As many readers of this website will be aware, a tragic accident occured at Beamish Museum on Sunday 22nd July when a seven year old child died after reportedly falling from a steam road roller. The young boy suffered severe head … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on Child dies at Beamish Museum

Crich Tramway Village summer update

Posted on Monday 23 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As always there is plenty going on at the Crich Tramway Village with various developments taking place in various departments as the Museum has been preparing for the peak summer season. With revenue from visitors currently short of expectations, the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Crich Tramway Village summer update

Daily dose of heritage in Blackpool

Posted on Monday 23 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Monday 23rd July saw the eagerly anticipated commencement of a daily heritage tram service in Blackpool. Apart from Bank Holidays, this marked the first time since last autumn that the general public had been able to ride on a traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Daily dose of heritage in Blackpool

Beamish 196 nears completion

Posted on Sunday 22 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Pleasing news to report from the Beamish Museum Tramway concerns the former Oporto tramcar, now generally referred to as Beamish 196 which has been undergoing an extensive overhaul for several months now. Following completion of work on its truck and … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 1 Comment

Birkenhead’s Brush car moves to Taylor Street!

Posted on Saturday 21 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Brush Railcoach 626 has been confined to the Pacific Road tram shed at Birkenhead for most of the last two years, but this changed recently when the tram was woken from its slumbers and driven to the Taylor Street … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 5 Comments

Crich Bandstand Park officially opened

Posted on Wednesday 18 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The newly renovated area around the century-old bandstand at Crich Tramway Village was officially declared open at a small ceremony on Saturday 14th July, with the Mayors of Amber Valley and Trafford amongst the dignitaries in attendance. This special occasion … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Crich Bandstand Park officially opened

Crich workshop budget slashed

Posted on Sunday 15 July 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Despite 2012 shaping up to be a classic year for Crich Tramway Village in many ways, with some fantastic enthusiasts events and the launch of three ‘new’ tramcars into the operating fleet, visitor numbers are giving major cause for concern – … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments