Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

In Pictures: Bournemouth 85 arrives at Crich

Posted on Friday 25 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The arrival of a new addition to the collection of trams at the National Tramway Museum, Crich is always an exciting event – and it is made that bit more special when the tram in question is from a system … Continue reading →

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Blackpool prepares for a ‘different’ Bank Holiday

Posted on Thursday 24 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, the August Bank Holiday will see considerable disruption on the Blackpool tramway – and indeed for the town in general – with a partial closure of the promenade for several hours on three consecutive days due to … Continue reading →

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630 to join in with Blackpool’s Brush car birthday party!

Posted on Tuesday 22 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Having already borrowed two preserved tramcars for 2017, Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have now revealed that they will shortly be getting a third! Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 is the latest tram to be confirmed to be heading to the seaside. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | 7 Comments

Fresh paint for Sheffield 74

Posted on Monday 21 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Not previously reported on British Trams Online is that Sheffield 74 is currently being treated to a complete exterior repaint in the workshop at Crich Tramway Village. The tram was already under attention to replace its mouldy top deck ceiling … Continue reading →

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Centenary car 641 helps its sisters

Posted on Saturday 19 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Whilst its latest transformation is ongoing, preserved Blackpool Centenary car 641 has also made a significant and welcome contribution towards the upkeep of its class on its old home tramway. Its owners, the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, have very kindly … Continue reading →

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Ghostly goings-on in Blackpool!

Posted on Thursday 17 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have announced a novel new venture – ‘Ghost Tram’! On a limited number of dates during the autumn, author of ‘Haunted Blackpool’ Stephen Mercer will join passengers for a special spooky experience, riding on a historic … Continue reading →

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Trolley troubles and air show delays in Blackpool

Posted on Thursday 17 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Saturday 12th July was an interesting day in Blackpool in many regards, albeit not a particularly good one for anyone using the tramway as a means of transportation! This was the first day of the annual promenade air show, which … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Birkenhead 20’s maiden voyage in Blackpool!

Posted on Tuesday 15 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The first appearance of Birkenhead 20 on Blackpool’s promenade occurred on the morning of Tuesday 15th August, just short of four weeks after the open-top tramcar made its journey by road from Birkenhead to Blackpool. This was a test run, … Continue reading →

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All change for next Blackpool ‘Gold’ weekend

Posted on Monday 14 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Significant changes are to be made to the August Bank Holiday ‘Gold’ timetable operated by Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours. This is due to a series of concerts taking place on the promenade over that same weekend, which will result in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 11 Comments

Another makeover for Centenary car 641

Posted on Friday 11 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The Fleetwood Heritage Trust are enabling another static display utilising one of their collection of historic Blackpool trams. Centenary car 641, which has been in situ on the display siding within the Pleasure Beach turning circle for the last few … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Brush car 623 at Starr Gate

Posted on Wednesday 2 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Starr Gate Depot at Blackpool remains fairly rare territory for members of the heritage fleet, but on 1st August visiting Brush Railcoach 623 headed into the modern building for the first time in its life – indeed the last time … Continue reading →

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Centenary car 645 returns home

Posted on Friday 28 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the recent news that Blackpool Centenary car 645 had been declared surplus to requirements recently by its owners, the tram departed from Windy Harbour Caravan Park at Little Singleton, where it had resided since January 2012, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Birkenhead 20 arrives at Blackpool!

Posted on Friday 28 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Birkenhead 20 made the journey by road from Birkenhead to Blackpool on Thursday 27th July, marking the start of its British Trams Online sponsored loan. The tram will be spending 12 months by the seaside and will receive attention to … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

Tram events – how much notice is enough?

Posted on Wednesday 26 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

A topic of discussion which seems to have become increasingly common amongst tram enthusiasts of late, is the amount of notice being given before interesting events. In fairness, most major tram events are advertised well in advance with the main … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: The Great Exhibition Hall at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 25 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

As has been reported recently on British Trams Online, there has been a good deal of tram shunting at Crich Tramway Village recently, with a number of the static collection moved around in order to make space inside the Exhibition … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Summer shunting at Crich – Part 2!

Posted on Monday 24 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Just one day after some of the trams in the Exhibition Hall at Crich Tramway Village were moved around to make space for the future arrival of Bournemouth 85, there was even more shunting of some non-operational trams on Sunday … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Summer shunting at Crich – Part 1!

Posted on Sunday 23 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Any enthusiasts visiting Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 22nd July were treated to the sight of some very unusual trams being moved in and out of the Exhibition Hall. The display is being re-organised to make space for the imminent … Continue reading →

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‘Tram Sunday’ brings the crowds out for heritage trams

Posted on Friday 21 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the record-breaking heritage tram service between Blackpool and Fleetwood on 15th July, Sunday 16th July saw the annual Fleetwood Festival of Transport, more commonly known as Tram Sunday, take place. This included another intensive heritage service, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Dewirement forces one day closure for Crich

Posted on Friday 21 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

On Friday 21st July, a serious dewirement incident occurred at Crich Tramway Village, forcing the attraction to close for the day. Thankfully the damage has now been rectified sufficiently for the museum to re-open as normal on Saturday 22nd July.

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Record-breaking heritage service to Fleetwood!

Posted on Tuesday 18 July 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Something really rather special happened on the Blackpool tramway on Saturday 15th July 2017 with relatively little fanfare, when an enhanced heritage service operated as part of the Fleetwood ‘Tram Sunday’ weekend. Normally, Tram Sunday itself is the main event … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments