Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Crich confirm Blackpool tram parade

Posted on Thursday 31 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

More details have now been revealed about the various events planned at Crich Tramway Village for Sunday 3rd June. This day will see the launch of newly overhauled Blackpool ‘Boat’ 236 which co-incides with the now annual ‘Beside the Seaside’ … Continue reading →

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Welcome back to Centenary car 648!

Posted on Wednesday 30 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a welcome move, Blackpool Transport have confirmed that Centenary car 648 will shortly be making a return to service as an extra car for use on their new heritage tram tours. Having last run on the final day of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

New works vehicle for Heaton Park

Posted on Sunday 27 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

May 2012 saw a new addition to the fleet of working vehicles at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway. Unlike the last two arrivals, Stockport 5 and Blackpool 623, this one arrived almost unnoticed with no launch ceremony and no celebratory cake – … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

‘George Formby’ tram prepares for service

Posted on Sunday 27 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Work on preparing Blackpool Boat car 604 for a return to service is nearing completion, with the tram having now left the Paint Shop in a fresh coat of green and cream. As we have reported previously, the tram is … Continue reading →

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R.I.P. Richard Lomas

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Richard Lomas, one of the longest-serving active members of the Tramway Museum Society, has sadly died. Richard passed away peacefully following a fairly long illness in the early hours of Friday 25th May. He had spent a lengthy spell in hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum, People | 5 Comments

Trams celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Many people across Great Britain are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in early June, with the late spring Bank Holiday extended by one day to give many workers a four-day weekend. Britain’s tramways have not been left … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, Heaton Park Tramway, National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Trams celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee

Boat car sails to Glory Mine

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Another major milestone in the restoration of Blackpool Boat car 236 for operation at Crich Tramway Village, home of Britain’s National Tramway Museum, took place on Wednesday 23rd May when the tram ran all the way to Glory Mine on … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 3 Comments

Flexity versus motor car – Round 1!

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

There have been a whole host of noteworthy firsts involving Blackpool’s brand new Flexity2 trams in the past few weeks, but an unwanted first occured on Tuesday 22nd May. For the first time, a member of the class was involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

New blood for Fylde Tramway Society

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

At a time of major change for the Blackpool tramway, it seems highly appropriate that the Fylde Tramway Society, which was formed to support the retention of the system back in 1971 when its future looked increasinly bleak, is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway, People | Comments Off on New blood for Fylde Tramway Society

Blackpool trams to star at Crich seaside event

Posted on Monday 21 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

More details are now available regarding the planned launch into passenger service of newly restored Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 236 at the Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 3rd June, as part of the ‘Beside the Seaside’ event being held over the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 1 Comment

Blackpool ‘Balloon’ set for open-top restoration

Posted on Sunday 20 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

What could potentially be one of the most exciting projects involving a recently preserved Blackpool tram has been announced, as part of a collaboration between the Manchester Transport Museum Society and the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust. It has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 8 Comments

Access Tram restored to service

Posted on Sunday 20 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to report that the sole wheelchair-accessible tram at Crich, Berlin 223 006-4, has finally returned to use following a prolonged overhaul and repaint. The car last ran in passenger service in September 2011 and since then its … Continue reading →

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Brush Car Day at Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Saturday 19 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Saturday 12th April was a very special day for Blackpool’s iconic Brush Railcoaches, as car 630 entered service in its new home at Crich Tramway Village for the very first time. To mark this occasion, the Tramway Museum Society arranged … Continue reading →

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The Crich depot shuffle

Posted on Saturday 19 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The tram depots at Crich have undergone some significant shuffling recently, as workshop staff and volunteers try to fit as many trams into the existing buildings as possible. This has come about due to the addition of three more trams … Continue reading →

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Crich Boat out on test

Posted on Saturday 19 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Wednesday 16th May was another exciting day at Crich Tramway Village, as the two latest restoration projects emerged from the workshop under power. London United Tramways 159 was taken out for another test run, but more exciting was the appearance … Continue reading →

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Heritage trams may miss Totally Transport

Posted on Friday 18 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Since its inception in 2005, the annual Totally Transport event held on Blackpool’s New South Promenade has been a major highlight in the annual calendar for enthusiasts of transport in general, including fans of the town’s historic trams. The last … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Fun run creates misery for tram passengers

Posted on Friday 18 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

An organised charity ‘fun run’ event held in Blackpool on Sunday 13th May has brought the Blackpool tramway into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons with some disgruntled participants venting to the local press about the interruptions to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

LRV found abandoned in quarry!

Posted on Tuesday 15 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A recent visit to Crich Tramway Village revealed the rather strange sight of what appeared to be part of a modern tram sitting at the edge of the quarry, close to the car park. What could it be? Had the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 3 Comments

Goodbye Paisley 68 – Hello Glasgow 1068!

Posted on Monday 14 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, Paisley 68 has recently entered the workshop at Crich Tramway Village where work has already started on tranforming this tram ready for a starring role in a very special event later this year. To help mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 1 Comment

One in & one out at Starr Gate Depot

Posted on Monday 14 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Friday 11th May was yet another interesting day in Blackpool with the arrival of another member of the new Flexity2 class from Germany. 014 had actually touched down on British soil when it had arrived in Hull the previous day, … Continue reading →

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