In Septemeber. The official site for news and information about Blackpool's Heritage Tram Tours. Transport costs to return the tram to Blackpool were covered by Peter Watts of PW Consultancy. Blackpool - Blackpool's Heritage Fleet Takes Winter Break. 509 talking about this. While most remain anonymous, a few bear their own names. ... image caption Blackpool's new Bombardier trams will run alongside its heritage trams. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours are Back on Track! Given Workshop time in 2017 it now forms a key role in the 80th Anniversary of this class, taking its place in Blackpool’s heritage tram fleet. Blackpool is one of the three surviving non-heritage tramways to use double-deck trams, the others being Hong Kong and Alexandria, Egypt. Next and walking down towards the south Pier, we see 711 Balloon tram which had been specially repainted into its 90's livery. lines closed during closure, please email, //   privacy and cookie policy   //   terms of use   //   copyright Blackpool Council 2020, One of the Blackpool Heritage Trams fleet, Image by Rept0n1X, CC-BY-SA 2.0, Martin Gurr, image supplied by the author, Tram 600, image produced by Mike Peel, CC-BY-SA 4.0. Blackpool Heritage Trams are a mixed fleet of restored vehicles that run on the Blackpool Tramway, which runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England. The Blackpool Tramway now has a fleet of modern low-floor second generation trams that operate its main daily service. 100 year old, young 70 year old ones including the open top trams and more will be running along the promenade from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood stopping only at the special Heritage Tour stops enroute. Blackpool’s famous Heritage Trams are running again! Travel the promenade and enjoy an iconic, traditional part of Blackpool. The heritage trams run alongside the sixteen new, modern flexibility tram service which arrived in 2012 following the upgrade of eleven miles of track and a new depot. Not only must all the heritage trams always look beautiful and well preserved but crucial technical considerations require a sound knowledge of heights loaders, paint types, tracks, rails, winders and other mysterious trammy terms. Our tram collection is housed at Rigby Road depot courtesy of Blackpool Transport Services. The opening of Manchester Metrolinkin 1991 heralded a revival. The Tramway still retains a number of the original Heritage Fleet for Tours, summer and Illuminations services (please see the Heritage Trams section for more information). The Blackpool Heritage Trust are developing exciting plans to add to the diversity of the operational Heritage tramcar fleet, but we can't do this without your help! Martin, who before moving to Blackpool in March was a volunteer at the Crich Tram Museum in Derbyshire, is also a driver for Virgin Trains and now works alongside Brian Lindop, the Head of Heritage Trams. News Politics Here's the latest addition to Blackpool's tram fleet Passengers in Blackpool will be able to sit on a tram while waiting for a tram thanks to the latest arrivals in the town centre. Blackpool Tramway has the following main operational fleet (at March 2020): The first new tram as part of a £100m upgrade of Blackpool's fleet is unveiled. Seen at North Pier tram stop is Standard 167 and Balloon 723 with the Blackpool Tower dominating the skyline. The first new tram as part of a £100m upgrade of Blackpool's fleet is unveiled. One tram is named after local film star musician, George Formby, another is named for a retired Blackpool Transport employee and the Walter Luff remembers a manager of General Motors whose daughter attended the inaugural ceremony. Back in 2015, Martin Gurr, tram-lover and long-term co-ordinator of the tramway promotions was at Blackpool Transport’s Rigby Road depot to let us in on some trade secrets. You can check the tour timetables over on our Heritage Tram Tours website. Plus Dine and Ride, Fish & Chips ride, Illumination Tours, Santa Specials. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours are running at weekends, weekdays, Public Holidays and special events. Martin has been passionate about trams since the age of five when he came to Blackpool on holiday from his London home. Blackpool was the only town in the UK that retained its trams: between 1962 and 1991 Blackpool had the only urban tramway in the UK. The fleet of bright heritage trams parading up and down the promenade this year together with the new modern trams rejuvenating the coast, remind everyone of local heritage, business and tourism but also recall the poignant history of the older, rickety yet ever reliable trams crashing through Blackpool’s winter rains and winds throughout the year. Due to a change of priorities in the transport collection at Beamish, it was decided that Brush Car 621 could be released for return to Blackpool where it … This is one and only in the fleet to be repainted. There is a Lytham heritage tram, as seen on a classic transport poster and three of Blackpool’s familiar standard boat trams live in San Francisco. Great news! Meet the Illuminated Heritage Trams seen on the Blackpool tramway during the autumn evenings of the Illuminations season. Some of the most famous heritage trams known to residents and tourists are the rocket, ship and gondola trams which roar up and down new the tram-tracks each year below the miles of overhead attractions and past the promenade tableaux during the Illuminations. So keen is he, that Martin is now the Operations Manager for Blackpool Heritage Trams. We offer a range of souvenirs that complement our tours. Blackpool Tramway is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world dating back to 1885. Meanwhile, the Hopton Road depot is open on request to visitors fascinated by the old heritage trams and guided tours can be arranged to this all-weather attraction conveniently close to the town centre. https://blackpooltram.blogspot.com/2013/12/expansion-of-heritage-fleet.html The last English city to lose its conventional trams was Sheffield in 1960. Then a multi-million pound upgrade transformed the Blackpool tramway. Blackpool is only one of three places which operate double decker trams, the others being Alexandria in Egypt and Hong Kong. The four year project, which concluded in April 2012, saw the replacement of 11 miles of track, creation of a new depot and introduction of a fleet of 16 state-of-the-art trams. The service resumed on 29 August, Bank Holiday Weekend. It is operated by Blackpool Transport (BT) and is the last surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. Up until 2011, the “Heritage” cars were the service fleet trams. He explained that each heritage tram is a unique personality with its own quirks, even within the same model range. Blackpool Transport is the proud operator of Blackpool’s £100 million tramway. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours A dedicated team of volunteers keep the fleet of vehicles both restored and operating along Blackpool seafront. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours invite you to enjoy an experience like no other as you take a ride along the world famous Blackpool Tramway aboard a piece of moving history! Excluding museums, it is one of only a few tramways in the world to still use double-deck trams. In previous years the vintage tram service ran for just nine days but now they run every weekend and Bank Holidays between North Pier and the Pleasure Beach from Easter until the end of the Illuminations. Martin oversees teams made up of Blackpool Transport employees and about twenty-eight volunteers, some of whom travel huge distances across Britain to drive, ride on, tinker or mess about with or just to be near their favourite models for the holidays or if lucky, throughout the Blackpool tourism season. You may catch sight of some of them on weekends throughout the year or during special events, or perhaps at the annual trams festival in Fleetwood. A proposed move for 648 to Crich fell through and 648 joined the Heritage fleet at Blackpool. Heritage Fleet: Maroon and Cream: Bolton Standard Tram: 612: 8: rebuilt 1974: Stored: Plum and Custard: OMO Car: 304: built 1953: Stored: Green and Cream: Blackpool Coronation with VAMBAC Controls: 324: 660: built 1953: Stored: Green and Cream: Blackpool Coronation with conventional Controls: 327: 663: built 1953: stored: Green and Cream: long term restoration program: 143: built 1924: Heritage Fleet At least one months notice is required, and a non-refundable deposit. Offered back to Blackpool’s Heritage Tours operation it returned to Rigby Road having completed a remarkable full circle over five years. The new trams (Bombardier Flexity2’s) have level boarding and step-free interiors and designated disabled/pushchair areas making them accessible to all. The Black… The Blackpool Tramway. We are the operators of Blackpool’s Heritage Trams, offering a variety of tours using our Heritage trams, some of which date back to the early 1900s, the iconic streamlined single and double deck trams of the 1930s and the retro trams of the 1980’s . Throughout the year a Heritage Tram service runs at weekends. the world famous Blackpool Illuminations sparked into life and as complimenting as salt and vinegar on the aforementioned fish and chips, our illuminated trams join their fellow heritage trams, bringing that extra sparkle to the world famous Fylde Coast. Apparently, there are at least a further twenty-three vintage, unusual, old and very old heritage trams in assorted shapes and sizes living in the Hopton Road tram depot, the oldest dating from about 1901. As each tram is restored it will be placed on loan to BTS so that they will be able to use it as part of their Heritage Trams Tours. The new winter timetable will be worked by the modern Flexity 2 fleet, with an improved service over recent years. The Princess Alice is an elegant open top double decker christened following a royal visit. Our Trams. Brush 634 arrived back at Rigby Road on 26th February 2016 having been donated to the … The fleet of bright heritage trams parading up and down the promenade this year together with the new modern trams rejuvenating the coast, remind everyone of local heritage, business and tourism but also recall the poignant history of the older, rickety yet ever reliable trams crashing through Blackpool’s winter rains and winds throughout the year. Follow the links to photos, videos and more information about each one. The line dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. And then there is 715. Where and when can we see them? The switching off of Blackpool's illuminations on November 4 marked the end of heritage tram operations in the town for 2012. ... image caption Blackpool's new Bombardier trams will run alongside its heritage trams. The recent rounds of tramcar movements in Blackpool over the last six months has seen a major expansion in the number of trams that will potentially be available for Heritage Tour duty in the future. Just get in touch with Emma on 01253 209521 or email heritage.trams@blackpooltransport.com – and please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast! Blackpool Heritage Trams have launched a new online shop, selling a variety of products. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours are a brilliant way to take in the sights and the Lights. While the tramway is closed, purchasing items will help support the line with vital income. The full video from my day trip out to Blackpool on Monday 4th May 2015. The range available includes bears, soft toys, Illuminations related products, clothing, books, calendars, DVDs, souvenirs, scale models and gift vouchers. However it has retained the best of the iconic original Heritage Tram fleet, with some vehicles that are over 80 years old that have been retained and restored. To browsers in Tower Models of Cookson Street or for those visiting the toy shop while waiting for the Fleetwood ferry, shiny colourful heritage trams are as familiar a sight as the sleek new glossy trams that arrived with the new tracks in the last few years to replace the old cream and green vehicles. However, the best of the iconic and original Heritage Trams, many of which are over 80 years old, have been retained and superbly restored, and these are available to offer you a traditional tram ride along Blackpool’s famous coastline. There are monthly and yearly examinations to be passed and lessons to be learned as, while Transport employees undergo training and work with trams ordinary and not so ordinary all year round, the army of volunteers, several on holiday from the Tramway Museum in Crick in Devon, must learn to drive, conduct, repair and restore Blackpool’s stock of heritage trams, some also being responsible for administration, others for promotions. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours will put a bespoke package together to make your day one to remember. Elton John is believed to be a fan, keeping a Melbourne tram in his back garden. About Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours. One-hundred and eight of those older trams were sold to use in other locations around Britain or sold for scrap and their faster, quieter, smoother replacements are expected to break even in around ten years. What are they? Newly arrived former LTT Balloon 715 and Brush cars 632 & 259 seen at the front of the depot on 17th December. It opened on 29th September of that year and originally ran between Cocker Street and Dean Street. Heritage trams. Details of their activities can be found at blackpoolheritage.com They are, however, outnumbered by single-deck trams. As part of this agreement the tram has had some tweaks to … In a twist of fate, and following two years stored in the North East, Beamish offered the unrestored tram back to Blackpool in 2016, with the tram arriving back home at Rigby Road in the care of the Blackpool Heritage Trust (BHT) on 8th December. While some of the new arrivals still require a considerable amount of restoration work, and others are currently basket cases (ie former works car 259), some of the arrivals can hopefully be put to use again in the not too distant future. Martin is employed, as a volunteer, to organise staff training and rotas and the number of staff and trams required each day that the trams are operational. The volunteers are easy to work with, according to Martin, who appreciates they work with heritage trams from choice and acknowledges their passion for their subjects. Blackpool Trams were running their heritage trams in additional to the new low-floor fleet. The professional standards are therefore very high. The last in the UK was Glasgow in 1962. The Blackpool Tramway now has a fleet of modern low-floor trams to quickly and efficiently transport thousands of people every day. The Blackpool Tramway now has a fleet of modern low-floor trams to quickly and efficiently transport thousands of people every day. Operating every day except Christmas Day, they travelled along the tram lines, carrying residents and visitors from A to B. 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