For the next few weeks we are heading to the Blackpool Tramway as “Old and New” is back. The aim of this series is to head to the same location (give or take an angle or a few metres here or there) and feature two photos – one of a tram running before the upgrade and the other of a modern Flexity2 in service.
We are at Norbreck for these two photos with the “Old” image coming from 7th September 2006 as Open Top Balloon 706 – named Princess Alice – heads past the old Tramroad station building with a special running to either Little Bispham or Cleveleys (the destination blind is between the two so its hard to know for certain!). As most of you reading this will be well aware, 706 was withdrawn from service in 2015 requiring a full overhaul. There has been fundraising to go towards this and a new underframe is in Blackpool but with the closure of the workshops and the issues at Rigby Road Depot work has not commenced on the overhaul.
Moving to the “New” and its over 20 years later on 26th September 2026 when we see Flexity2 009 just about to arrive at Norbreck with a service for Fleetwood Ferry. The station building was removed during the upgrade work and the new platform at the tram stop is about to be reached by the tram as it continues on its way north to Fleetwood. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)