How long left to see the present Blackpool fleet?

Can anyone suggest how long there is before modern trams are delivered to the Blackpool system, I quite fancy a day there just riding the system whilst the current fleet is still in use.
Are any of the historic trams retained in Blackpool brought out for normal service, or just for special events?

Thanks

46118

 

The 16 new Bombardier trams are due to enter service by Easter 2012. The current position from BCT is that 'the best examples of the Heritage Fleet willl remain in service.' Whatever that means.

 

Thanks for your comments folks. Appreciated.

Just in case you are not aware of this site, I have found this since first posting. Lots of info.

http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/

46118

 

Hello,

The best day to come is on a Saturday as this is when you have the most chance of getting some 'vintage' trams.

Also ride to Fleetwood and Starr Gate before you can as these are shutting and arent going to be open until 2012 when the new trams are delivered hence giving you not a lot of time to ride 75 year old streamliners to the full extent of the system!

Obvioulsy its best in the illuinations as this is when you get the best chance of riding some trams that dont get a lot of use.

i suggest you but Trams Magazine if you have either a keen interest or just a passing interest and its a very good price!

If you have any more questions about the Blackpool Tramway then please ask!

Theres a new issue out soon all about the western train etc!

Enjoy!

www.tramsmagazine.co.uk

Many Thanks,

Smiler (who lives in Blackpool)

 

When are they shutting? For how long ?

John (who also lives in Blackpool).

 

Thanks Smiler.

When are they closing the Fleetwood end for rebuilding? Presumably not till after the Summmer?

46118

 

Ash Street-Fleetwood closes on 8 November until Easter 2012 for realignment, relaying etc. 18 months of work is required but has to be winter only hence the lengthy period. Starr Gate-Pleasure Beach will probably also close at the same time, partly inconjunction with the new depot construction at Starr Gate.

The existing fleet - by and large- is expected to remain in use until November 2011. Two fleets will remain. Refurbished double deckers for peak extras and museum cars for special duties.

Currently as suggested Saturday is the busiest day for output, but only about 16/17 cars at the moment, may pick up a bit in the summer holidays and will do in the illumination when 25-30 cars should be out on a Saturday. Vintage trams should be out, though will do Illuminations Tours as well as service work. Current service is 20 min SG-Fwd (crew DD days, crew SD eves), 20 min SG-Cleveleys (crew SDs daytimes only). Extra SG-Bispham evening service starts next week. May well be all DD on service from then.

Forthcoming events are a series of tours on 7/8 November to mark the closure of Fleetwood. Outline details have been announced and I will post here when finalised. There is also Fleetwood Transport Festival on Sunday week which will feature vintage trams Ash St-North Pier.

Next year is the 125th Anniversary of the Tramway. 10 visiting cars are planned (Blackpool Standard 40, Pantograph 167, Leeds 399, Glasgow 22, Porto 273, Southampton 45 from Crich, Manchester 765 (Heaton Park), Blackpool 31 (Beamish), Blackpool 11 (Carlton Colville), Liverpool 762 (Birkenhead)), plus newly restored Blackpool Standard 143 and Railcoach 279 and hopefully OMO car 8. Big focus is the weekend 25/26 Sept 2010 with a vintage tram service on Saturday and Open Day on Sunday. Enthusiast tours/events will take place on the days before/after. More details in due course.

Currently active trams are:
Boats 600/605 (602 has run but is officially stored)
Vanguard 619 (so far for one event, but expected out in the Illuminations)
Brush 622, 630, 631 (623 is also currently active but as a 'reserve' car)
Centenary 641-648
Twin Car (only 672/82 and 675/85 for hires so far 672/82-675/85 are in reserve, rest stored)
Balloons 700, 707, 709, 711, 712, 713, 715*, 717, 718, 719, 721, 723, 724, 726* (*-training only so far, 703 has run but is now out of use, 701 should be available, 702 reserved rest stored)
Jubilee 761/2
Illuminated cars 733/4, 736, 737
Vintage Cars Box 40 (reserve), Bolton 66 (used once so far, plus a hire, should see more use in Illuminations), Standard 147 (occasional use), Coronation 304 (one hire, one event service use), Coronation 660 (used twice for training runs), Sheffield 513 (one hire, one event service use, officially stored), Stockport 5 (not use yet, officially stored).
Trams 604, 607, 621, 626, 627, 632, 634, 636, 637, 671/81, 676/86, 678, 680, 687, 704, 708, 710, 716, 722 are officially withdrawn. 720 under rebuild.

Think that's it.
Paul

 

There's 3 Blackpool Boat cars in the US also,

601 - (Restored as 226) at Rio Vista, CA (Not too far from Stockton, CA 90mins from SF).
603 - (Restored as 228) in use on San Francisco's MUNI F Line tram service.
606 - Ohio (Trollyville USA).

 

Paul,

That was some post you made there ! Thanks for taking the trouble to write such a comprehensive account of what is happening with the fleet =D> =D> =D>

John

 

Thanks - Joined in April 2007 and its taken until now for someone to ask a question I could answer!

Paul

 

Paul: Thankyou. Most helpful.

Looks like a trip to Blackpool at some point this summer, and to include a saturday.

I didn't do enough photography in Sheffield in the Summer of 1960 (age 14...) as the end approached for the tramway there, but hindsight is, as they say, a marvellous thing....

At least you will still have the vintage trams to run on the modernised tramway.

Thanks again

46118

 

Ralph went to school - was it approved???

Are there any illumination tours generally - and when the last night before closure is publicised do let us know.

I managed the 1985 last night of the illuminations with all the vintage visitors, but drove! Mega mistook!

They had the twin set at Starr Gate loaded up with hot pot at one end and wine at the other - all for about three quid!

No way could we do it justice. I'll bet it was a good night at Rigby Road!

 

There is now a seperate thread running for the 'events' in November 2009;

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php?p=310144#post310144

Again - thanks to Paul for keeping us up to date on all things Blackpool tramway

My humble efforts for 2009 are here;

http://johnleyland736.mediaobject.co.uk/c1737464.html

 

Sometimes you just get lucky!

Driving home from work along the prom this afternoon I saw 'Standard Car 147' heading towards Cleveleys. Decision time - 'go home and come out with the camera or not?' I'm glad I did, because not only did I catch her in the sunshine at Bispham, as she headed south, the original 'Balloon' 700 passed her - right in front of my lens - lucky!

Standard 147 dates from 1924, spent some time in the USA and was restored to her current condition in 2002. She looks amazing !

 

Thanks Paul for such a comprehensive reply. Can't do Saturdays but I plan to go on Friday October 9th and Sunday November 8th. What chance of vintage trams on those days?

 

As good as any to be honest. Nobody can say with any certainty though you may be in luck on Friday evening for the lights tours. On the 8th November there are the farewell tours for Fleetwood as well.

Paul