Its off to Blackpool for this edition of “Trams &” as we feature two uniquely Blackpool forms of transport.
This photo was taken during September 2024 and shows a heritage tram and a couple of horse drawn landaus – the chance of seeing something similar to this elsewhere in the country are pretty much zero!
The tram probably needs very little introduction as it is one of the iconic Blackpool Balloon cars. Its 723 which carries a version of the 1990s green and cream fleet livery. The tram is working a heritage service to Pleasure Beach with the back seats on the top deck occupied for its onward journey.
Then to the left on the road are two of the horse drawn landaus that ply their trade up and down the Prom throughout the season. In recent years these princess carriages have become more prevalent and seem to prove popular with families for a ride like no other along the Prom. Licenced horse-drawn hackney carriage fares in Blackpool during the day can cost up to £20 for up to 4 people and then an extra £2.50 per person if there are more on-board.
Photograph by Gareth Prior, 28th September 2024
On the subject of Blackpool’s Heritage Trams, there was an interesting article on the BBC on 7 April, as follows :-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevdey1jydjo.amp?fbclid=IwY2xjawJho5pleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHpYXCh5-7UdfszhNiVnpoUIovNW7RlF6mrQViE8XlaMes-kBDiAZqXKIgYKO_aem_JgO75DXOqCJgOclbML4Jtw
Needless to say, the MD of BTS had her say :-
‘Jane Cole, managing director of Blackpool Transport, previously said the aim was to restore the heritage trams later this year.
But she said there were “a number of complex operational issues that need to be addressed” before they could take to tracks once again.’
This rather contradicts the earlier suggestions that the heritage cars were withdrawn because of safety issues, and begs the question as to what these ‘complex operational issues’ are which apparently, hadn’t been noticed during the more than ten years which had elapsed since the flexities began operating alongside the heritage fleet, and December, 2024?
It doesn’t contradict it at all. The complex operational issues are obviously the safety systems BTS want to look at.
Plus the added additional traffic through Talbot Square with Trams running in and out of Talbot Square with Trams also reversing which until June last year WASN’T there.
Trolley fitted Trams take an age to turn now also due to the need to walk them through the junction.
These would be the same ‘safety systems’ which appear to have gone unnoticed for over ten years, would they? The same ODAS & COMPASS systems which do not apply to the Heritage Fleet?
When has it ever been claimed that these were ‘safety issues’ where the Heritage Fleet was concerned, by the way? The initial references to ‘advanced safety systems’ made by BTS quickly vanished after the ORR stated that there were no particular problems with the Heritage fleet.
The Heritage Fleet need not run on the North Station extension at all, which rather destroys your comment in any case. Apart from very occasion special visits, which to the best of my knowledge did not throw the whole service into chaos, they have never run there, nor were intended so to do. They generally ran between the Pleasure Beach loop and the loop at Bispham.
The Flexities run at low speed on a fairly leisurely frequency, for obvious reasons. I have travelled on both types very frequently, and have never encountered an occasions when a flexity had been delayed by a Heritage car.
Or, come to that, vice versa!
After the initial confusion, Jane Cole admitted she was responsible for stopping Heritage and it was stated they were looking at safety systems. Which specific safety system was not stated.
Just because something is fine for 10 years, doesn’t mean its still fine. For all we know something has happened, or questions asked and something come up which has changed the situation. (Purely guess work but it would fit, certainly the sudden stop was a knee jerk reaction to something.)
Yes Heritage Trams are exempt from having them fitted BUT what public transport operator in their right mind operates vehicles with and without said systems? Someone is hurt or worse and the first question is ‘how could this have been prevented?’ and ‘what did you do to mitigate the risk?’ ‘nothing because ORR said we didn’t have to’ will not cut the ice with any legal action. And I’m sorry but legal bodies and insurers rule the roost.
In many places round the world heritage trams are banned because of their incompatibility and I think that the fear of incident is starting to rule here.
They only ran Little Bisphams in the last few years, prior to that it was always Talbot Square, and even if not terminating trolley cars still have to be walked through.
‘Just because something is fine for 10 years, doesn’t mean its still fine. For all we know something has happened, or questions asked and something come up which has changed the situation. (Purely guess work but it would fit, certainly the sudden stop was a knee jerk reaction to something.)’ Yes, it is guess work, and no it doesn’t fit. Had something of the sort actually happened, then surely it would have been described, if only to stop people like me raising comments about the inconsistencies in what BTS have been saying.
‘In many places round the world heritage trams are banned because of their incompatibility.’ Just as in many other cities, usually operating larger, more complex, and busier, systems, heritage cars operate quite happily. As to the legal canard, if the heritage cars meet all ORR requirements and regulations, then there is no legal argument.
Indeed, the heritage cars are walked through. It take about 30 seconds, and is hardly a problem when the intensive BTS flexity service seems to be some four cars per hour.
This is all easily resolved. Just let BTS tell the truth, and stop prevaricating.
Geoff, here’s an off the wall idea. They are telling the truth and people like you are just making mountains out of molehills.
Kev:- In reply to ‘Geoff, here’s an off the wall idea. They are telling the truth and people like you are just making mountains out of molehills.
BTS have said, at different things at various times. Firstly, the suspension was apparently due to ‘safety concerns’, but when this was challenged, and indeed denied by ORR, this was switched to ‘complex operational issues.’
BTS said that they ‘hoped’ that the heritage trams would return to service, but then informed Fylde Tramway Society that the people employed to service the cars were to be made redundant or transferred to other duties.
If they are telling the truth, why does it change at regular intervals? Moreover, you might consider the end of the unique Blackpool Heritage operation a mere ‘molehill’ but many people do not.
I never said at any point in my comment that Heritage do or need to run to North Station! I also didn’t say anything was in chaos, I pointed out additional movements which weren’t there prior to last June.
Comments are also now closed on this article as the same ground is being covered over and over again.