Category Archives: Blackpool Tramway

New tram shelter for Sandhurst Avenue

The LRT platforms on the Blackpool tramway stop at Sandhurst Avenue (near Bispham) are currently the subject of some attention which should offer an improved environment for waiting passengers. The southbound stop has been devoid of a shelter for some … Continue reading

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Council executive approve Blackpool North tramway extension

Despite a delay a few weeks ago Blackpool Council’s executive have now approved plans for the extension of the tramway to North Station. The executive met this week and agreed to proceed with the plans which will now move forward … Continue reading

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Event report: Heritage trams to Starr Gate

Once part of the Totally Transport event held annually on Blackpool’s New South Promenade, the operation of a special heritage tram service to Starr Gate has become an established part of the tramway events calendar in June. This year two … Continue reading

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This week on British Trams Online

Two more Photo Galleries for you this week as we return after a week’s break:

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The Hovertram is coming home!

All four of Blackpool’s iconic 1960s Illuminated Feature Cars are set to be reunited on their home tramway following the announcement that the Hovertram is to make the move back to the north west following almost 10 years away. The … Continue reading

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The Hilton Hotel’s heritage hire

On Wednesday 8th June, the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool hired three trams from the heritage fleet for an evening private hire. With a large party of people to transport, the trio of green and cream liveried Balloon cars – 715, … Continue reading

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Heritage trams to Starr Gate on 18th & 19th June

The next weekend of enhanced heritage tram operation in Blackpool will be on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June. This is a very special event as it will see traditional trams running to and from Starr Gate in passenger service. … Continue reading

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Blackpool Council promote tramway extension plan

Blackpool Council have recently released a new brochure giving details of the plans for the much-discussed extension of the tramway to serve the North Station, via Talbot Road. This includes some very convincing mock-up images showing Flexity trams in the … Continue reading

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Copse Road depot consigned to history

Whilst many aspects of the Fylde coast’s tramway heritage are now being preserved for the enjoyment of future generations, it is sad to report that one very notable item has recently been lost. Copse Road Depot, the only such building … Continue reading

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Tram & light rail passenger numbers reach record levels

The tramways and light railways of England have never been so popular (well since records began in 1983, we would expect that in the heyday of the trams the number of passengers was much higher!) with record passenger numbers carried … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Birthday Boating

The demand for private hires involving Blackpool’s heritage trams continues to increase with one particularly interesting hire taking place on Saturday 4th June. On this date, Boat 227 was hired by an enthusiast for a novel birthday celebration and operated … Continue reading

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Balloon versus Taxi

The number of accidents involving trams and motor cars in Blackpool seems to have escalated recently, with at least three such incidents in May alone. The latest mishap occurred on Saturday 28th May, involving a member of the heritage fleet … Continue reading

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In Pictures: The Western Train on tour

On Friday 27th May, a special evening tour was operated by Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, acting as a ‘warm-up’ for the Gold service running over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. This utilised the illuminated Western Train 733+734 which performed a … Continue reading

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Boating to Starr Gate

Visits by Blackpool’s open Boat cars to the tramway’s southern terminus at Starr Gate have been quite rare for many years, but in the past week two of the three cars which remain at Blackpool have graced this location with … Continue reading

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Twin Car 677+687

We have a double dose of images today for our latest installment of Picture in Time as we head back to Blackpool and take a look at Twin Car 677+687 in action in 1981.

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Decision delayed for Blackpool North tramway extension

Blackpool Council’s executive committee have delayed their approval for the North Station tramway extension so they can examine the proposals in more detail. It had been expected that the committee would be recommending to the full council that a formal … Continue reading

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Very important pictures preserved in Blackpool

As well as preserving a large number of historic Blackpool tramcars, the Blackpool Heritage Trust is also keen to ensure that other items of relevance to the town’s rich tramway history survive for future generations. A recent and noteworthy addition … Continue reading

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Passenger satisfaction on the rise across the UK

Tram passenger satisfaction across the UK has increased once again with the latest figures showing that there is an overall satisfaction of 92% on the UK’s tram networks (excluding London Tramlink). The latest findings have been released by Transport Focus … Continue reading

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Flexity 015 stars on Coronation Street

After a filming session on 11th April, scenes shot in Blackpool were aired on ITV’s long-running soap opera Coronation Street on Monday 16th May. This included a brief appearance by Flexity 015 which was used for a stunt which almost … Continue reading

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Blackpool Standard 143 under assessment

The appearance of Blackpool Standard car 143 in the Body Shop at Rigby Road last September for the tramway’s 130th anniversary weekend created much interest, particularly as it was suggested that this may be the first step towards a return … Continue reading

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