Blackpool Trams News

[zero]

From my experience the other week it was totally random whether they went to the station or not. I was on one that was meant to and didn't, and another that wasn't meant to (due to the Remembrance parade) and did, with the change being announced at the last minute. Still finding its feet, I think, and it seems that missing the station out if delayed is normal practice.

Overall, though, a 4tph service via the station is probably preferable to a 2tph one going there and a 2tph one not. A bit slower for some primarily leisure journeys, but simpler given the large number of non-regular users.

Well, it sounds reasonable to miss out the station to catch up on delays, and under this timetable any tram can do it unlike the previous complex timetable where some trams reversed at the station and others were scheduled to avoid it

 

[Bletchleyite]

Well, it sounds reasonable to miss out the station to catch up on delays

It's probably less sensible than turning short at the outer ends, because it will disproportionately impact people who are time-pressured (already late tram plus a walk may mean a missed train) and also people who may not be able to make the walk at all (one very noticeable thing about Blackpool is the very large number of wheelchair users and other people with disabilities who holiday there, as a result of which it is generally quite disabled-friendly, bar the old hotels which are physically hard to convert).

 

[Kite159]

One thing I noticed on Saturday (other at how busy the trams were) is the southbound service sitting at North Station for around 5 minutes.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It's probably less sensible than turning short at the outer ends, because it will disproportionately impact people who are time-pressured (already late tram plus a walk may mean a missed train) and also people who may not be able to make the walk at all (one very noticeable thing about Blackpool is the very large number of wheelchair users and other people with disabilities who holiday there, as a result of which it is generally quite disabled-friendly, bar the old hotels which are physically hard to convert).

I feel like the generations who book at these are dying out somewhat though anyway, these days most people under 40/50 would probably book a nearby Travelodge/Premier Inn, I'd imagine.

 

[Harvey B]

Just noticed this intriguing little snippet on the BT website anouncement about the new Winter timetable.

"These changes are part of our plan to continue listening to you and get fully prepared for the busy year ahead.
By introducing this more frequent and reliable service, we’re setting the stage for further improvements in 2025, so you can continue to count on us for efficient and affordable travel."
Of course the proof of the pudding....

Hopefully, this means returning to a Standard 10 minute frequency throughout the Summer.

Something that hasn't happened since 2019 for one reason or another.

 

[Kite159]

I suspect one thing which could help with the overcrowding is no longer accepting bus passes for free travel on the trams. They can get a discount but not free travel, as they can always use the buses.

 

[geoffk]

I suspect one thing which could help with the overcrowding is no longer accepting bus passes for free travel on the trams. They can get a discount but not free travel, as they can always use the buses.

Surely Blackpool and Wyre residents can still travel free with ENCTS pass, in line with what happens on tram networks elsewhere.

 

[Haywain]

I suspect one thing which could help with the overcrowding is no longer accepting bus passes for free travel on the trams. They can get a discount but not free travel, as they can always use the buses.

It's only locals who get that free travel anyway, isn't it?

 

[seasidersfan]

There are clearly major issues still to be solved on the tramway as it is, but this is the first time in a while the actual future isn't certain.

The upgrade and North Station Extension were planned for years, but what's next? Will there even be any extensions in the future? I used to think so but I'm not convinced anymore, what could you see happening in the longer term?

 

[zero]

There are clearly major issues still to be solved on the tramway as it is, but this is the first time in a while the actual future isn't certain.

The upgrade and North Station Extension were planned for years, but what's next? Will there even be any extensions in the future? I used to think so but I'm not convinced anymore, what could you see happening in the longer term?

Where else would it be useful to extend to? Maybe Lytham but if they suddenly had a lot of money to spend they might as well use it on improving buses and upping the tram service to 8tph. Pie in the sky idea - replace the south train line (up to Kirkham) and maybe it could be 2tph

 

[geoffk]

Where else would it be useful to extend to? Maybe Lytham but if they suddenly had a lot of money to spend they might as well use it on improving buses and upping the tram service to 8tph. Pie in the sky idea - replace the south train line (up to Kirkham) and maybe it could be 2tph

Kirkham seems the obvious one. The airport seems to be defunct now, for scheduled flights anyway.

 

[Howardh]

Where else would it be useful to extend to? Maybe Lytham but if they suddenly had a lot of money to spend they might as well use it on improving buses and upping the tram service to 8tph. Pie in the sky idea - replace the south train line (up to Kirkham) and maybe it could be 2tph

Looks to me that of all the tram extensions or new-starts (Leeds, ever??) that to increase Blackpool's tram coverage would be the simplest and cheapest! The Kirkham - Blackpool South rail link could be converted to meet the tramway at Squires Gate (thus leaving the "old" rail line to Blackpool South from Squired gate disused - unless tram/trains could use it for the Pleasure Beach?) and Poulton Le Fylde to Fleetwood connecting with the current tramway around Broadwater (maybe cutting a caravan site in half!!); not quite a circle line - more of a "U-bahn"!

But seeing as the south of Blackpool is already catered for by rail - albeit an one-track effort and a short walk to the tram from Squire's Gate - I reckon priority should be to open up Fleetwood as it's quite a congested route into it by car; and rail users have to go into Blackpool first but at least now the tram goes directly from the station or get the bus from Poulton le Fylde to Fleetwood.

 

[cool110]

thus leaving the "old" rail line to Blackpool South from Squired gate disused - unless tram/trains could use it for the Pleasure Beach?

With there only being one entrance to the Pleasure Beach these days, the rail station is only better for the hotels over the current tram stop.

 

[Howardh]

With there only being one entrance to the Pleasure Beach these days, the rail station is only better for the hotels over the current tram stop.

To reach Central Blackpool from Lytham area - the buses are a bit longwinded r/e times and routes - I would take the train to Squires Gate and head for the tram. Going further northwards is taking the pax away from the tram!

 

[seasidersfan]

Trams on the South Fylde Line just makes sense (far more than Fleetwood-Poulton as it could link straight into Blackpool). But considering they can't even double the frequency on that line despite literal decades of shouting I'm not sure this is realistic. Pre-covid there was some decent momentum with the Trams to Lytham campaign but it's all gone quiet now.

 

[philthetube]

BLS - The Blackpool Balloon III - Sunday 26th January 2025

A much requested revisit to Blackpool Tramway for an 'all available lines' tour with a balloon double-deck tram. 10.00 start at North Pier Heritage stop, finishing around 17.30. A suitable lunch break is included at Fleetwood. It is booked amongst other items and subject to circumstances on the...

www.railforums.co.uk

just posted this link in case people missed it in the other thread.

 

[bluegoblin7]

BLS - The Blackpool Balloon III - Sunday 26th January 2025

A much requested revisit to Blackpool Tramway for an 'all available lines' tour with a balloon double-deck tram. 10.00 start at North Pier Heritage stop, finishing around 17.30. A suitable lunch break is included at Fleetwood. It is booked amongst other items and subject to circumstances on the...

www.railforums.co.uk

just posted this link in case people missed it in the other thread.

Looking forward to it, can't beat a Balloon! (Well... you can, but they're all stopped at the moment )

 

[tram21]

Blackpool Heritage operations suspended.

Thread here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/blackpool-heritage-tram-operations-suspended.278086/

Blackpool Heritage have announced a suspension to their Heritage operation, citing safety complications as one of the main issues. There are questions over how Heritage trams can run alongside modern ones. It appears its currently a temporary suspension, but who knows what will happen...

 

[John Luxton]

Blackpool Heritage operations suspended.

Thread here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/blackpool-heritage-tram-operations-suspended.278086/

Not good news for heritage tramways in the north west following on the heels a few eeks ago of the announcement that Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society appear to be moving their collection from the Birkenhead Tramwya to Crich.

 

[AY1975]

Not good news for heritage tramways in the north west following on the heels a few weeks ago of the announcement that Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society appear to be moving their collection from the Birkenhead Tramway to Crich.

Do you have a source for this? This story from the British Trams Online site dated 29th August seems to suggest that Big Heritage, the new owners of the Wirral Transport Museum, hopes eventually to run trams again:

https://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=55119

"Big Heritage progress with plans for Wirral Transport Museum – and Tramway

Funding has also been secured to allow trams to start running again on the demonstration line. Trams have not operated along the complete length of the line since 2021 when the section to Woodside Ferry was closed owing to the condition of the track leading to the former terminus. A service did continue to run until early 2023 between Taylor Street and short of Woodside Ferry when that too stopped. Its hoped that the track and infrastructure will be able to brought up to the required standard to allow trams to run again in the medium-term."

I know this is getting slightly off-topic as this is a Blackpool trams news thread, though. The situation with the Birkenhead tramway was also discussed in this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/birkenhead-tramway.276961/ and in entry #19 of this thread on the possibility of an electric heritage railway: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/possibility-of-a-full-size-electric-heritage-railway.276072

 

[tram21]

Do you have a source for this?

Three of the trams are moving to Crich in the coming weeks. This has been done by the Trust behind the trams rather than the commercial operation. They still have a couple of trams, but the trust must think there's an unlikely prospect of them running any time soon. Sorry I don't have an official source, but it's definitely happening.

 

[Lemmy282]

From what I understand the trams belonging to the Merseyside group were to be handed over to Big Heritage or moved from their current location. One has gone to Beamish, three others will be moved to Crich. If operations do recommence in Birkenhead there is the option to return them. Happy to be corrected if I've got anything wrong.

 

[WillPS]

Blackpool Heritage operations suspended.

Thread here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/blackpool-heritage-tram-operations-suspended.278086/

Terrible news I really hope something is salvaged.

 

[4069]

Rather better news from the BBC, suggesting operations will resume next year:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr562dp4p8no.amp

 

[a_c_skinner]

Might I ask a new (to me!) question. Looking at the modern trams and an old double deck tram I'd imagine (and for the time being will have to imagine) a single contact wire height would either be too high for one and too low for the other. I'm clearly wrong but for the time being going to look isn't possible so what am I missing?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Might I ask a new (to me!) question. Looking at the modern trams and an old double deck tram I'd imagine (and for the time being will have to imagine) a single contact wire height would either be too high for one and too low for the other. I'm clearly wrong but for the time being going to look isn't possible so what am I missing?

Single deck trams just have long pantographs. The old single deckers had the trolley pole mounted on a little tower.

 

[Tramfan]

Edit- already answered above!

 

[cool110]

...a single contact wire height would either be too high for one and too low for the other. I'm clearly wrong but for the time being going to look isn't possible so what am I missing?

You're also missing that all tram systems need the contact wire high enough for lorries and/or double deck buses to pass under.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Thank you all. The modern pantographs didn't look that tall, I guess the height of the modern trams and the pantographs add up more than I had credited. Not to mention the double deck bus question.

 

[Lemmy282]

There was a funny incident when the Supertram was being built in Sheffield. At Manor Top the road is designated as a "wide load route" so the contact wire had to be at its maximum height. On the night of the first trial run over that section, the pantograph lost contact with the overhead wire, it seems the contractor had installed it at "maximum height plus a couple of inches"!