Blackpool Trams.

As some will have read elsewhere on the forum, the Fleetwood end of the Blackpool Tramway will close at the end of the current Illuminations season for relaying/refurbishment. It's not due to re-open until 2012, by which time, Blackpool will have a fleet of new build trams. Much of the current heritage fleet will be redundant and are expected to be culled. 2009 is therefore seen by many people as 'the last year of real Blackpool Trams.' I don't normally point my camera at these everyday objects (I live in Blackpool - not 200 yards from the tramway!), but thought I'd better get some of it down for posterity. I'm hooked !! Here is a selection of recent shots

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

 

An excellent series, thanks for sharing them. :smt023

 

Thanks Tony,

I was out early this morning to capture the procession into service from the depot (well worth the effort if you can get there for 07.30). Was a bit murky - but a few shots made it into the gallery - from here;

http://johnleyland736.mediaobject.co.uk/p61195873.html

 

Blackpool trams

Thanks for posting those very interesting images - brought back memories of holidays spent at Blackpool late 50s early 60s. I have to admit that 24E was visited quite a bit during those times - pass the tram shed, under the railway bridge and sharp right into the coach-park wasn't it.
I made mention just the other week, to someone who lives on the outskirts of Blackpool, of my holidays spent at 24E and he said that the car/coach-park is still in use.

 

Your pictures are very interesting, reminds me of holidays in Blackpool in the late 60's/early 70's, plus a couple of visits in the early 80's. The depot looks much the same. Obviously there have been a lot of changes in the fleet since then with older cars being rebuilt etc.
Can you please elaborate what is happening please? How much track is being refurbed , must be quite a bit as it is taking 3 years. Is the Fleetwood layout staying the same. As for the cars, is all the current stock being disposed of, as some are quite new or rebuilt. If so, I assume it will end up having modern twin cars like Manchester, Sheffield & other new sytems.

 

Thanks for sharing. Got my tickets booked for 9th October so a nice day on the trams before 6233 and the beerfest on the 10th.

 

I can only repeat what I've seen in the local press - and there isn't much detail I'm afraid.
There is another thread here;

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php?t=18867

poster Paul Turner has his finger well and truly on the button and his contribution will answer most of your points I'm sure

 

You should have a great time. There is a 20 minute Fleetwood service and 10 minute intervals on the Pleasure Beach - Cleveleys section. The timetable tends to go to pieces as the day moves on - but thats all part of the fun! The £6 tram/bus all day runabout ticket is amazing value. Hope the sun shines for you.

We will no doubt meet on the 10th along with all the other Nat Pres gang around 6233

 

Thanks. It's many a year since I've been to Blackpool and didn't get that many shots of the trams. Too busy with the pub crawl. I also intend going on November 8th so hopefully I should get some decent shots from the two days. Looking forward to getting some decent night shots now I've got all the digital hardware to do it with.

 

The illuminated and some heritage cars are used for 'Illumination Tours' which start from North Pier as soon as the lights go on (7.30pm this week). They go up to the stop at Bispham where they reverse to the Pleasure Beach, then back to North Pier. Either of those three spots should give you the opportunity to get a time exposed shot. The 'Western Train' is back in traffic this year - a much welcomed return

 

Thanks for the link, picked up lots of info there & "sub-links".