I would love to see 272-T2 used on the metro line to mark the opening of new extension.
Methinks the hi electric poll thing would not fit under several bridges on route and the black lake tunnel
Quote from: wembley86 on April 25, 2015, 02:11:02 PM
I would love to see 272-T2 used on the metro line to mark the opening of new extension.
Would be good to see, but wouldn't fit on the Metro.
Twin cars were always one of my favourite in Blackpool.
What about 167 I think that would fit
Quote from: Solo1 on April 25, 2015, 08:47:21 PM
What about 167 I think that would fit
That would be nice Pantograph 167 or even Box 40.
@Tony @Winston Could this thread be moved to General Discussion, would be nice to have somewhere to discuss Blackpool Trams in the future!
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on April 25, 2015, 05:31:05 PM
Would be good to see, but wouldn't fit on the Metro.
Twin cars were always one of my favourite in Blackpool.
why would't it fit, width should be the same as metro or is the height the problem
Quote from: wembley86 on April 27, 2015, 07:02:28 PM
why would't it fit, width should be the same as metro or is the height the problem
To me it would be the height, plus maybe the voltage.
Don't know what voltage the Metro operates on?
Midland Metro 750 V
Blackpool 600 v
Balloon 715 is now back in action
Blackpool Tramway will close between Central Pier and North Pier from Tuesday 05 May until Saturday 09 May with Trams operating between Starr Gate and Manchester Square and North Pier and Fleetwood.
This is to allow a film to be made centred on Blackpool Tower.
There is also a liklihood of further disruption the following week.
Further details at
http://www.blackpooltransport.com/news/view/tramway-closure-for-filming-on-the-promenade.-from-wednesday-6th-may-until
and
http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=11039
Green and Cream Balloons 715 and 717 are operating todays Heritage Tours
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 22, 2015, 07:19:33 PM
Green and Cream Balloons 715 and 717 are operating todays Heritage Tours
Yes 715 has returned to service this year after a number of years out of traffic.
Hoping to catch it when i am in Blackpool at the end of October.
@Stuharris 6360 - 715 returned to service earlier this year. :)
Bolton 66 & Balloon 706 'Princess Alice' are operating todays Heritage Tram Tours.
---
Other NewsRailcoach 680 has returned to Blackpool (as a visitor) for the 130th Anniversary Celebrations Weekend on 26th & 27th September.
They will launch the 130th Celebrations with Twin Car 675+685 which will return to Service on the Saturday of the Anniversary Weekend.
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 24, 2015, 01:43:30 PM
@Stuharris 6360 - 715 returned to service earlier this year. :)
Bolton 66 & Balloon 706 'Princess Alice' are operating todays Heritage Tram Tours.
---
Other News
Railcoach 680 has returned to Blackpool (as a visitor) for the 130th Anniversary Celebrations Weekend on 26th & 27th September.
They will launch the 130th Celebrations with Twin Car 675+685 which will return to Service on the Saturday of the Anniversary Weekend.
What livery is 680 in now?
@Stuharris 6360 680 is in its 1990's Style Green 'n' Cream Livery
Here is a Pic :)
https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours/photos/a.630637307008078.1073741828.523251861079957/914065661998573/?type=1&theater
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 24, 2015, 10:01:43 PM
@Stuharris 6360
680 is in its 1990's Style Green 'n' Cream Livery
Here is a Pic :)
https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours/photos/a.630637307008078.1073741828.523251861079957/914065661998573/?type=1&theater
@Rob2832 looks very smart indeed!
Heritage Tram Tours - Saturday 29th August
Boat Cars 227 (Route A) & 230 (Route B), Twin Car 272+T2 (Route D) & Balloon 701 (Route C) are operating today's Heritage Trams Tours.
Modified Balloons 700 + 711 are on Normal Service.
706 was booked to come out on the Heritage Tours but returned to depot (unknown reason).
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 29, 2015, 02:33:43 PM
Heritage Tram Tours - Saturday 29th August
Boat Cars 227 (Route A) & 230 (Route B), Twin Car 272+T2 (Route D) & Balloon 701 (Route C) are operating today's Heritage Trams Tours.
Modified Balloon 700 + Another UID Modified Balloon are on Normal Service.
706 was booked to come out on the Heritage Tours but returned to depot (unknown reason).
@Rob2832 Are they using the modified balloons more often now?
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on August 29, 2015, 06:56:38 PM
@Rob2832 Are they using the modified balloons more often now?
@Stuharris 6360 I think they only seem to use the modified Balloons on Bank Holiday Weekends on Specials as extra capacity or when the Tramway has split into 2 Parts. :)
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 29, 2015, 07:12:54 PM
@Stuharris 6360 I think they only seem to use the modified Balloons on Bank Holiday Weekends on Specials as extra capacity or when the Tramway has split into 2 Parts. :)
Thanks
@Rob2832 , it's such a shame they are not used more regularly considering the amount of money spent on them to convert the doors to be able to stop at normal tram stops.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on August 29, 2015, 07:15:26 PM
Thanks @Rob2832 , it's such a shame they are not used more regularly considering the amount of money spent on them to convert the doors to be able to stop at normal tram stops.
@Stuharris 6360 I know it is a shame 707/709/713/718/720/724 don't seem to get used much since they've been modified sometimes they do send one out on the Heritage Tours (if required) and when they do its usually 700 they send out. :)
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 29, 2015, 07:27:53 PM
@Stuharris 6360 I know it is a shame 707/709/713/718/720/724 don't seem to get used much since they've been modified sometimes they do send one out on the Heritage Tours (if required) and when they do its usually 700 they send out. :)
@Rob2832 Yes, never liked the Millenium Cars so that not a problem, but something like 720 which probably has been used more than a few times since its major overhaul, it seems just a waste of money!
Heritage Tram Tours - Sunday 30th August
Railcoach 680 is now back in Service
Bolton 66, Twin Car 272/T2, Boat Car 600, Railcoach 680 & Balloons 701 + 715 are operating today's Heritage Tram Tours.
Centenary 642 duplicated 680 on its first tour and 642 has now replaced Boat Car 600.
UPDATE;
Boat Car 230 has now come out and is running on 600's duties and 642 has now taken over from Balloon 715.
Modified Balloon 711 has also come out on Promenade Specials.
Here is a pic of 680 at North Pier - https://www.facebook.com/Blackpooltrams/photos/a.281306458645608.59304.281301538646100/737226856386897/?type=1&theater
Heritage Tram Tours - Monday 31st August
Box 40, Twin Car 272/T2, Brush Car 631, Railcoach 680, 706 'Princess Alice' & Balloon 717 are operating todays Heritage Tram Tours.
Heritage Tram Tours - Tuesday 1st September 2015
Boat Car 230 and Railcoach 680 were operating today's Heritage Tram Tours
Heritage Tram Tours - Wednesday 2nd September 2015
Bolton 66 & Open Top 706 'Princess Alice' were operating todays Heritage Tours.
Heritage Tram Tours - Thursday 3rd September 2015
Brush Car 631 & Balloon 701 are operating today's Heritage Tours
Heritage Tram Tours - Sunday 6th September 2015
Operating Trams - Boat Car 227 and Open Top Balloon 706 'Princess Alice'
Heritage Tram Tours - Saturday 19th September 2015
Operating Trams - Balloon 701 + Open Top Balloon 706 'Princess Alice'
Heritage Tram Tours - Sunday 20th September 2015
Operating Trams - Bolton 66 + Standard 147
---
Here are the Timetables for the 130th Anniversary Weekend (If anybody wants to have a browse) Links are below.
Heritage Tram Tours
https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours/photos/pcb.929685213769951/929685077103298/?type=1&theater
Depot Shuttles + Vintage Bus Service
https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolHeritageTramTours/photos/pcb.929685213769951/929685150436624/?type=1&theater
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have confirmed that the unique open-top Blackpool Balloon car, 'Princess Alice' 706, will be withdrawn from service at the end of the 2015 illuminations season. The tram has operated for three decades since it was restored as an open-top car and is now due for workshop attention again, so will be retired until resources are available to carry out this work.
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Heritage Tram Service operated by Bolton 66 & 717
Illumination Tours Train, Frigate, Bolton 66, 715, 706 701
Thursday 29 October
Heritage Tram Service
717 & 675/85
Illuminated Tours
Train, Frigate, 706, 701, 715, 675/85
Friday 30 October
Heritage Tram Tours
272/T2 147
plus 713 on specials including a lunchtime trip to Fleetwood.
Absolutely horrid day in Blackpool, Promenade road was a river by 3pm.
Western Train was stabled at North Pier with santa onboard, sadly the weather was so bad, don't think he had many children to give presents to.
Heritage Train service
717
675/85.
I have always had fond memories of the Blackpool trams Esp. the Heritage collection in their heyday. What amazes me is the fact that you can STILL get cheap overnight accommodation virtually anywhere along the sea front for as little as £15 (bed only) or B/ Breakfast for £20. I had a visit to Star gate in October, despite the unseasonal fine weather the beach was deserted! (The Donkeys were giving each other rides) I notice they had an old London Routemaster in service but I've no idea who owns it.? I Found some great drinking holes off the Talbot road and an Equally good family chippie owned by Yorkshire fisheries. I took several tram photo's which tony may find time to post one day
Quote from: windy miller on December 31, 2015, 05:34:01 PM
I have always had fond memories of the Blackpool trams Esp. the Heritage collection in their heyday. What amazes me is the fact that you can STILL get cheap overnight accommodation virtually anywhere along the sea front for as little as £15 (bed only) or B/ Breakfast for £20. I had a visit to Star gate in October, despite the unseasonal fine weather the beach was deserted! (The Donkeys were giving each other rides) I notice they had an old London Routemaster in service but I've no idea who owns it.? I Found some great drinking holes off the Talbot road and an Equally good family chippie owned by Yorkshire fisheries. I took several tram photo's which tony may find time to post one day
@windy miller The Routemaster is owned by Oakwood Travel or as they are known now Catch22 buses. The owner of the company is Phillip Higgs who owned Coronation Car 304 for a time. They have already been in trouble with the TC
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/blackpool-bus-company-faces-seven-year-ban-1-7373323
and judging by the ride I had when i was in Blackpool in October, am not surprised.
Thanks Stu... I had no idea they had a bad reputation! would I be right in thinking they may have another Routemaster as well as RML887...? :-\
Quote from: windy miller on January 02, 2016, 09:03:07 PM
Thanks Stu... I had no idea they had a bad reputation! would I be right in thinking they may have another Routemaster as well as RML887...? :-\
@windy miller Yes they have RM1583, although it has been off the road with an expired engine which is beyond economic repair.
Link to article re Lancashire budget cuts.
http://m.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/community/community-news/tram-could-be-a-casualty-of-savage-spending-cuts-1-7576986
Would be a very bad day if the tram service was reduced to Starr Gate to Little Bispham, however whether the government would let this happen after the amount of money spent on the new tramway.
Just read on Facebook Standard 147 and Marton 31 are exchanging places for 2016.
Marton 31 will be heading for Blackpool and Standard 147 will be heading in the opposite direction for Beamish.
In Blackpool today for Gold Heritage running day with the pool of The Western Train, 680, 272 & T2, 147, 715 & 717.
Sadly the Western Train only made it half way across the road/Tramway at Manchester Square and the coupling snapped, so had to be returned to depot to be replaced by Box 40 after it had blocked the promenade road and tramway for quite a while.
680 failed with its usual Transponded problems, the car battery ran out of charge and was replaced by boat car 230.
717 failed around The Metropole with again its usual controller problem, which doesn't appear to have been rectified since i was there in Early December.
Despite that, had a lovely (freezing) journey on 230 to Bispham and back, also had 715 to Fleetwood during the afternoon.
Balloon 723 is getting its current 1980's style livery refreshed for the 2016 season
Brush 631 and Balloon 717 are today's Heritage Tour Trams
Not Blackpool but nearby Southport pier tram removed for sale.
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/southport-west-lancs/southport-pier-tram-removed-before-11089968
spent yesterday (Saturday) in Blackpool and whta a lovely day, weather wise and tram wise as well.
Bolton 66. 680, 723, 717, Twin set 5 and 700 were all on the heritage gold service.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on July 17, 2016, 01:22:19 PM
spent yesterday (Saturday) in Blackpool and whta a lovely day, weather wise and tram wise as well.
Bolton 66. 680, 723, 717, Twin set 5 and 700 were all on the heritage gold service.
stu is there a timetable for the heritage trams ? and on which days of the season are they scheduled to run? thanks
Quote from: windy miller on July 17, 2016, 03:16:42 PM
stu is there a timetable for the heritage trams ? and on which days of the season are they scheduled to run? thanks
Yes
@windy miller, currently they have 2 heritage trams operating daily between Pleasure Beach & North Pier/Cabin rougly every 20 minutes during the day.
However on the 27/28/29 August, 24/25 September and 26/27 November there is a gold timetable operating with 6 trams in operation and services operating between Pleasure Beach & Bispham/Little Bispham & Fleetwood.
I have attached a sample timetable which was used earlier this year, yesterdays timetable was very similar.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on July 17, 2016, 08:13:12 PM
Yes @windy miller, currently they have 2 heritage trams operating daily between Pleasure Beach & North Pier/Cabin rougly every 20 minutes during the day.
However on the 27/28/29 August, 24/25 September and 26/27 November there is a gold timetable operating with 6 trams in operation and services operating between Pleasure Beach & Bispham/Little Bispham & Fleetwood.
I have attached a sample timetable which was used earlier this year, yesterdays timetable was very similar.
2 of the Boat cars were in use yesterday, a red one and green one. No idea of the numbers
Quote from: John on August 07, 2016, 11:53:38 AM
2 of the Boat cars were in use yesterday, a red one and green one. No idea of the numbers
The Red one is 227 and the green one is either 230 or 600 :)
Quote from: Rob2832 on August 07, 2016, 12:29:39 PM
The Red one is 227 and the green one is either 230 or 600 :)
It was 230
@Rob2832 @John
Busy Wednesday night in Blackpool.
701 & 717 on daytime Heritage tours
plus 718, Train (failed at Little Bispham on it's 2nd tour), 680, Frigate, 600, 723 (private hire), 711, 719.
Don't know if anybody is in Blackpool Tomorrow for Heritage running day, trams expected out are
717, 648, 723. 700, 719 and 718.
All heat cars as its expected to be very chilly tomorrow.
No heat cars may be used on Sunday.