Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Brush cars galore at Crich

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The official launch into service of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 at Crich Tramway Village took place on Saturday 12th May, with this providing the perfect excuse to hold a Brush-themed event day. Although intended as a relatively low-key event arranged … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Tracks and Trackless – Chesterfield’s Trams and Trolleybuses by Barry M Marsden

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

This book is a collection of photographs illustrating the trams and trolleybuses which operated in the town of Chesterfield, including many extremely valuable images which have been gathered together as the result of years of painstaking research. The author does … Continue reading →

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All change at Crich with more tram launches

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As has been widely reported recently, the Crich Tramway Village operating fleet is set to increase by one this month, as Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 is due to be launched into passenger service at a specical Brush car themed event … Continue reading →

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Bank Holiday brings more firsts in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally the time when the Fylde Tramway Society host their annual Convention weekend, with a series of entertaining events for Society members as well as their Annual General Meeting. Although due to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Boat 600’s naked ambition

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

After an extremely rare winter appearance on February 29th, when it ran on test as far north as Thornton Gate, Blackpool Boat car 600 finally recorded its first normal passenger use on Saturday 5th May when it debuted on Blackpool … Continue reading →

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Improvements to Blackpool’s heritage tram tours

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport have announced a few minor amendments to the heritage tram service being operated between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham this season. The changes have been introduced following initial feedback from customers, and will hopefully encourage more people to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Event Preview: Launch of Blackpool Brush 630 at Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Event: Launch of Blackpool Brush 630 Where: Crich Tramway Village When: Saturday 12th May

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NEETT announce future plans and partnerships

Posted on Wednesday 2 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Recently, we reported on plans by the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust (NEETT) to develop a museum in the Sunderland area in which to house its growing vehicle collection, including trams from Blackpool and overseas. Thanks to this helpful organisation, British … Continue reading →

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‘Trams of the World’ for Fleetwood tourist attraction?

Posted on Tuesday 1 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Friends of Fleetwood Trams have recently announced more details about their long-term plans as part of a group of organisations and individuals, working under the banner of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust. The group aims to contribute significantly towards … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 2 Comments

Box 40 returns to Fleetwood!

Posted on Monday 30 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In just a few short weeks, there have been some great surprises on the Blackpool tramway already in 2012 – but quite possibly the highlight of the year so far occured on Monday 30th April, when Blackpool & Fleetwood ‘Box’ … Continue reading →

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13th Flexity arrives in Blackpool (eventually!)

Posted on Monday 30 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The numbers of the Flexity2 class in Blackpool have swelled again, with car 013 arriving in town late on Friday 27th April. Although the rumour mill had suggested that the tram had arrived some two weeks ago, this turned out … Continue reading →

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Return of the Twin car!

Posted on Sunday 29 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In what is probably the best piece of news involving the Blackpool tramway for quite some time, Twin set 672+682 has been moved into the Electrical Compound where it is being prepared for a return to service as one of … Continue reading →

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Beamish and the “Big Three” or The Great North Steam Fair 2012

Posted on Saturday 28 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In the last few years, Beamish, the Living Museum of the North has become a ‘must-see’ destination for anyone with an interest in traditional British trams. The ambitious transport events held at this location have featured the trams in increasingly … Continue reading →

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Birkenhead 20 returns home

Posted on Thursday 26 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following a highly succesful three-week stay at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, Birkenhead 20 returned home to the Wirral heritage tramway on Wednesday 25th April. The tram had arrived at Beamish on March 30th to participate in the … Continue reading →

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Luff’s legacy lives on at Beamish

Posted on Tuesday 24 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following its public debut at the Great North Steam Fair event, Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 was formally launched into service at Beamish Museum by its owners, the Lancastrian Transport Trust, at a brief ceremony on Sunday 22nd April. Unfortunately despite our … Continue reading →

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Brush car 630 launch event confirmed

Posted on Monday 23 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to announce that Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 is set to be launched into passenger service at Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 12th May. The tram last ran at Blackpool in late October 2011 and was then withdrawn … Continue reading →

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Positive news for two Blackpool ‘Boat’ cars

Posted on Monday 23 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The eagerly anticipated move of Blackpool ‘Boat’ 236/607 to Crich Tramway Village took place as expected on Monday 23rd April, making it the second Boat car to leave Blackpool this year. Meanwhile, one of its sisters is being prepared for a … Continue reading →

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The Balloons are back!

Posted on Sunday 22 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

So far the 2012 season in Blackpool has been dominated by the new Flexity2 trams and much older cars such as Bolton 66 and Standard 147; however a growing number of the retained Balloon cars have also been in service … Continue reading →

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‘Boat’ 236 prepares to set sail

Posted on Sunday 22 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The restoration of Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 236 (ex-607) is now virtually complete, and the tram is currently being prepared to leave Blackpool for a new home at Crich Tramway Village on Monday 23rd April. Following some succesful test runs on … Continue reading →

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Standard 143 on the move again

Posted on Friday 20 April 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following the announcement that the Lancastrian Transport Trust would be vacating its leased premises at the Brinwell Road industrial site in Blackpool, further negotiations have taken place resulting in this decision being reversed. This means that the trams residing there … Continue reading →

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