The operating modern tram fleet of the Blackpool Tramway has been further boosted with the return to service of 004. Meanwhile, two other recent absentees (006 and 017) are being tested ahead of their own returns to action.
004 had last been seen in service back in December 2025 and since then has been within Starr Gate Depot. Like many of its sisters it has been undergoing enhanced winter maintenance and with this now completed it is back in action for the first time in four months on Friday 24th April 2026.
It is expected that 006 and 017 won’t be far behind either with them having commenced testing.
That will leave just 005 (last ran July 2022), 010 (last ran August 2025) and 012 (last ran December 2025) to be returned to service.
004 calls at Talbot Square on its way up Talbot Road to North Station. (Photograph by Michael Morton, 24th April 2026)
Why has 005 been ‘out of action’ for almost four years?
Same reason various example have been long term absentees on other systems – it became a “Christmas Tree”
It was initially taken of for a fault that needed specific components specially ordering in (IIRC it was electrical systems in 5s case), then while it was waiting, assorted bits got ‘borrowed’ off it to get sisters back in service quicker…