Category Archives: Blackpool Tramway

Lancastrian Transport Trust issue statement on tram moves

Posted on Sunday 9 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Lancastrian Transport Trust have received some criticism from tram enthusiasts over the past few days, after moving six of their preserved Blackpool trams from Rigby Road to outside storage on the outskirts of Blackpool. Now, the charitable organisation has … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 13 Comments

LTT trams retreat from Rigby Road

Posted on Friday 7 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

All of the preserved trams owned by the Lancastrian Transport Trust have now escaped from the Rigby Road depot at Blackpool, with the last six remaining trams having left within a four-day period early in September 2012. Following on from the previously … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 4 Comments

Preserved Brush cars end up outside

Posted on Wednesday 5 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the former Permanent Way gang car 259, Brush Railcoach 632 became the second of the Lancastrian Transport Trust’s preserved Blackpool tramcars to leave Rigby Road for pastures new this week. Unfortunately, both of these trams have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 6 Comments

Permanent Way Brush car leaves Rigby Road

Posted on Tuesday 4 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Lancastrian Transport Trust have begun to remove their remaining trams from the Rigby Road tram depot in Blackpool, with former Permanent Way Brush car 259 becoming the first departure of the month on the afternoon of Tuesday 4th September. … Continue reading →

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Boating by night in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 4 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Boat car 600 became the first non-illuminated tram to work an evening heritage/illuminations tour during the new era of the tramway on Monday 3rd September. This followed on from speculation that only the three feature cars would operate on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 10 Comments

Welcome back to Bolton 66!

Posted on Monday 3 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Pleasing news from Blackpool concerns the ever-popular Bolton 66, which has recently returned to service following a lay-off. Hang on a moment… haven’t we run this story before!? Well, of course 66 missed the entire 2011 season due to not … Continue reading →

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Big queues and big disapointments in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 2 September 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The start of the 2012 illuminations has been a rather challenging time for the Blackpool tramway. This is of course, the first time that the illuminations have shone in the ‘new’ tramway era with Flexity2 LRVS providing the core service. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 29 Comments

Static trams light up Blackpool promenade

Posted on Wednesday 29 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Tuesday 28th August provided the opportunity for an early preview of the 2012 illuminations spectacle in Blackpool. On this evening the promenade road was closed off to all vehicular traffic apart from bicycles, for the now annual ‘Ride The Lights’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, Fylde Transport Trust | 1 Comment

All change for Blackpool illumination tours

Posted on Saturday 25 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Next week the Blackpool illuminations will switch on for another season, and the start of the first with the tram service mainly operated by modern LRV units. 2012 also marks the start of a new era for the illumination tours, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Andrew’s Weekend in Blackpool: 10th-13th August 2012

Posted on Saturday 18 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Blackpool tramway has undergone many changes since last season, with the new fleet of Bombardier Flexity2 trams providing the bulk of the passenger journeys, and most of the traditional trams now restricted to use on heritage coastal tours between … Continue reading →

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The Rocket has landed!

Posted on Wednesday 15 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A milestone in the history of the most unusual tram to ever run in Blackpool occured in the early hours of Tuesday 14th August, when the illuminated Rocket 732 returned to the promenade after a decade-long absence. As has been … Continue reading →

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Pioneer Flexity returns to service

Posted on Wednesday 15 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The first Bombardier Flexity2 type tram in the world, Blackpool 001, has finally returned to traffic following a lengthy lay-off. Following its unveiling to the world at a lavish ceremony 11 months ago, 001 became a fairly common sight over … Continue reading →

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Blackpool’s vintage trams missing again

Posted on Wednesday 8 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Sadly, Blackpool Transport’s heritage tram tours have endured further disruption during the week commencing Monday 6th August. After operating a single tram instead of the usual two for the first three days of the week, the tours will not run … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 9 Comments

Cracks appear in Blackpol’s heritage tours

Posted on Saturday 4 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As reported earlier this week on British Trams Online,  Blackpool Transport resumed operation of its heritage tram coastal tours on Wednesday 1st August, following a four-day absence due to defective points at Pleasure Beach. Unfortunately, since then the service operated has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 16 Comments

Rocket tram shines for the cameras

Posted on Thursday 2 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The cosmetic restoration of Blackpool’s famous illuminated Rocket tram, 732, is making remarkably speedy progress with work on the external lights now almost complete. When the tram made its last appearance on the Blackpool tramway for a special farewell tour in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 5 Comments

Western Train moved to Starr Gate

Posted on Thursday 2 August 2012 by Andrew Waddington

On Monday 30th July, Blackpool’s most popular trams made a surprise appearance on the promenade. The illuminated Western Train 733+734 was driven to Starr Gate by engineering staff, and moved into the new depot complex. The same crews then returned … Continue reading →

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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

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 →

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