Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Daytime heritage service cut back in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 4 October 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Since the end of the summer school holidays, Blackpool’s daytime heritage service has only been operating at weekends. With effect from 30th September, this has been cut again, with a reduction in the number of hours that the heritage tours … Continue reading →

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Event Review: Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular – Sunday 24th September

Posted on Thursday 28 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The second day of Blackpool’s now annual anniversary event followed a similar pattern to the first, with an intensive heritage tram service operating over the full length of the tramway, as well as heritage bus tours, workshop visits and non-operational … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 8 Comments

A Brush car birthday bonanza!

Posted on Friday 22 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool’s now annual tramway anniversary event (well who says you can’t celebrate 132 years of operation!?) got off to an impressive start on Friday 22nd September, which was dubbed ‘Brush car Friday’. As this year’s event will heavily feature the … Continue reading →

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Birkenhead 7 to return to the limelight

Posted on Wednesday 20 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Shortly after the Birkenhead tramway’s big event to mark 60 years since Liverpool’s last tram, there was more exciting news from the Wirral with the confirmation that Birkenhead 7, a large double-deck horse car, is to move to the tramway … Continue reading →

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Birkenhead tramway marks 60 years since Liverpool’s last tram

Posted on Wednesday 20 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 16th September, the much-hyped event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the closure of Liverpool’s dearly loved tram system was held at the Birkenhead tramway. In fact, the annual anniversary had already been marked two days earlier with … Continue reading →

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Final preparations for Brush car birthday celebrations

Posted on Tuesday 19 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Ahead of the Blackpool tramway anniversary event this coming weekend, Blackpool’s operational Brush Railcoaches are now being prepared for their starring role over the weekend, in recognition of their 80th anniversary year. This has included the arrival of visiting car … Continue reading →

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Douglas 45 moves to the MER

Posted on Monday 18 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Douglas 45 has become the latest of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway fleet to be selected for a major overhaul. Last week the tram left its normal home and was moved by road to the Manx Electric Railway’s Derby Castle … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Bournemouth 85 & Friends!

Posted on Monday 18 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

As we have already reported on British Trams Online, Bournemouth 85 was the undisputed star of the show at Crich Tramway Village’s ‘Tram Day’ on Saturday 16th September. Bearing this in mind, and because we are rather taken with it, … Continue reading →

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Event Report: Crich ‘Tram Day’, 16th September 2017

Posted on Monday 18 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The annual enthusiasts event at Crich Tramway Village – now known simply as ‘Tram Day’ – is commonly regarded as one of the highlights of the year for fans of traditional trams in the UK, and 2017’s event was certainly … Continue reading →

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Citylink trams debut in Sheffield

Posted on Friday 15 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

After announcing only a few days ago that members of the public would finally be able to ride on a tram-train in the UK on Sunday 17th September, Stagecoach Supertram then caught us rather by surprise by debuting one of … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Heritage trams on New South Promenade

Posted on Thursday 14 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Not previously featured on British Trams Online was the operation of Blackpool’s heritage tram service to Starr Gate on both Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August. This resulted from the partial closure of the promenade on both afternoons for a … Continue reading →

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22nd September is ‘Brush car Friday’

Posted on Thursday 14 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

It was already known that the now annual Blackpool tramway anniversary spectacular event – being held this year on 23rd & 24th September – would be dominated by the Brush Railcoach class, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of these historic … Continue reading →

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Centenary car 641 – a work of art?

Posted on Monday 11 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The latest project involving a tram from the collection of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust was unveiled on Saturday 9th September, as part of the ‘Art of Recovery in Blackpool’ event. As reported previously, Centenary car 641 has been given … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 1 Comment

The Trawler sails again!

Posted on Monday 11 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Following a lengthy absence from passenger duties, the illuminated Trawler 737 has recently made a very welcome return to service in Blackpool. It may be remembered that the tram was re-launched last October following a refurbishment which included the fitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Bonus Liverpool’s Last Tram event for Birkenhead announced

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

It has been well documented that the Birkenhead heritage tramway will be holding a special event to mark 60 years since the closure of Liverpool’s tram system on Saturday 16th September. However, a more modest event has now been announced … Continue reading →

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Tram-trains to debut in passenger service this month!

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Its the news that fans of UK light rail have been waiting for – Britain’s first tram-trains are set to make their debut in passenger-carrying service on the Sheffield Supertram network on Sunday 17th September! The units will be operating … Continue reading →

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Balloon 721 to be repainted

Posted on Thursday 31 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

There hasn’t been much news from the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust (NEETT) and its collection of trams based at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum near Sunderland for quite a while. However, that looks likely to change … Continue reading →

Posted in North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 3 Comments

713 and the faceless woman!

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Balloon car 713 has seen occasional use in the last few years, as the only operational tram in the fleet left with an all-over advert. The livery in question, for the Houndshill shopping centre in Blackpool town centre, was applied … Continue reading →

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Bournemouth 85 to star at Crich ‘Tram Day’

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The main enthusiast event for 2017 at Crich Tramway Village just got a lot more exciting, with the news that recent arrival Bournemouth 85 is set to be the star attraction this year! The tram is set to be displayed … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Bournemouth 85 – the unloading

Posted on Saturday 26 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

We have already reported on the arrival of Bournemouth 85 at Crich on Friday 25th August – but as it is so exciting we couldn’t resist sharing some more images of its arrival! This time the tram is shown being … Continue reading →

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