New Blackpool supertrams.

Thanks for posting that pic Alan. I've seen a couple @ Broadwater this week and still hopeful the full route opens on time. Glass still half full here at Lil Bispham LOL

 

Next one just arrived at Starr Gate

 

Trams have finally made it back to Fleetwood Ferry.

Trams finally return to Fleetwood | British Trams Online News

 

Excellent news Alan ! I'll sample the new product sometime over Easter

 

Tramway now officially open!

Blackpool

 

Afternoon All,

As a reminder of times past, I have just put a few pictures of Blackpool trams in the 1960s on my Flickr site. Here's the Link if anyone is interested to have a look :

Blackpool Trams - a set on Flickr

 

Nice stuff - all of it - shame about the snow and gales forecast for the morning

 

Further to my earlier message,I have now added some pictures taken on a visit in 2007. Same place if anyone is interested to see them :

Blackpool Trams - a set on Flickr

 

One derailment already due to sand. First day of public service, as well. Not a good start.

 

:tape2:​

 

I don't know what is more unbelievable. That a tram at Blackpool can't deal with sand, or that Frank has nothing to say about it!

Don't forget the Liverpool and Manchester killed an ex-local MP on its first day. Bad starts are not a new thing!

 

Will Mr Roberts do the decent thing and fall on his pantograph?

 

Perhaps his "solution" will be to remove all the sand from Blackpool beach!

 

That's exactly what was happening - it was arriving at Fleetwood Ferry - in truck load quantities! all by itself.

 

Report here:

First fare-paying tram derailed by sand - Traffic & Travel - Blackpool Gazette

 

PR nightmare !

 

I can scarcely believe some of the criticism on the Blackpool Gazette website. Calls for "rolling heads" accusations of waste of public money etc. People in Blackpool, Fleetwood and in between would do well to realise that this tramway has survived because it is at the seaside and that the seaside is a place where sand blows off the beach. Blackpool has never had rails with extra-deep flangeways; it just seems an unfortunate coincidence. Perhaps it would be prudent to check certain areas of tramay type rail before the first service on stormy mornings but this is nothing to do with the new trams. Unfortunate PR, but a story blown out of all proportion.

 

Not everyone who lives in the Fylde it critical - and yes, its unfortunate but not without precedence it seems.

It's a gift scenario for those who take pleasure in knocking the new tramway and its vehicles - let them laugh ... they are best ignored.

 

Unfortunately Roberts is said to have made a total mess of the buses , as well as presiding over the tramways modernisation and is hated by many of the residents for what he has done to the public transport system as a whole. That is why there is so much criticism and calls for summary executions.

 

John - I'll rise to this one - as if you didn't expect me to!

You know better than that! So many facets of this scheme have been poorly, uneconomically, unnecessarily complicated, and late, in the implementation - yet we cannot criticise poor performance, excess expenditure, and ineffective project management? No - that does not make sense, and you know it. If we constantly roll over and accept poor performance where would we be?

Even now BTS are having to use token working from Ash St to Ferry because the system will only power one car in section - look in the cab and you'll see the yellow token - because BTS forgot to give itself planning consent for the substation at Lune St.

Balloons are working Cleveleys to Pleasure Beach because Flexities are already overwhelmed by mums and crinklies like us

At least one station has no walkway access even today - so its tramp along the ballast to gain access

The fleet is still under delivered - as fully expected.

I shan't go over last year when Roberts deliberately ran down the system - but remember - the first tram to Cleveleys - was the day after the system shut! What a calculated insult to the town that was. 66, 660, 706 never turned a wheel, all year - but are doing as from Friday.

Roberts and Grocott - the Laurel and Hardy of public transport in Lancashire - just wait until the accounts are drawn up - "Another Fine Mess" I'll bet!

And don't forget - its a pint in the North Euston on Friday if the service beyond Little Bispham is all Flexxity - or you're buying me another to go with that one I bought you at Kiddie!