Blackpool Saturday (4)

A selection of the trams at Bispham (Blackpool 706, 681, Bolton 66 & Western Train.. I think they we all in public service.

A very enjoyable day with beautiful but cold weather.

Blackpool Saturday (3)

During the afternoon Sheffield 513 and Stockport 5 replaced Blackpool 31 and 600.


We had a ride from Pleasure Beach to Bispham on 513 which was very enjoyable.

Blackpool Saturday (2)

All of these trams were in service on Saturday morning.
'Boat' 600 has been refurbished and upgraded with air sanders, flashing trafficators etc and new fenders. I think it is rather nice.
Blackpool 31 from Beamish passing Standard 147 - both in passenger service.
Un-modernised 'boat' 604.

We didn't get a ride on 'box' 40 - the queue was too long.

Blackpool Saturday (1)

The daytime timetabled service is a tram every 20 minutes from Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood Ash Street and a tram every 20 minutes from Pleasure Beach to Thornton Gate. In the evening this is reduced to every 30 minutes to Fleetwood and every 30 minutes to Bispham.
The pictures are 711 at Thornton Gate, 717 at Ash Street, new track leading into Fleetwood and 724 at Ash Street.

Blackpool - Friday evening

Blackpool - Friday afternoon

After looking at the new depot we drove along the prom to Bispham where we saw Blackpool 31 (on loan from Beamish) and Sheffield 513 on an enthusiasts tour. We didn't see any 'heritage' trams on public service.

Blackpool - new depot

We arrived in Blackpool on Friday afternoon. The first thing we saw was the new depot uner construction.

Blackpool 1985

We are going to Blackpool for the weekend today. Here are four pictures of TMS cars in 1985.

Steve Lea

Steve Lea, Maintenance Engineer, of the Christchurch tramway in New Zealand visited the Museum yesterday.
He is seen here talking to Derek Redmond on Southampton 45.
Steve, Derek and driver John Marsh.
I first met Steve in Christchurch in February 2008.

The service trams yesterday were Chesterfield 7 and Southampton 45. London Transport 1622 made a couple of trips at lunch time in between driver training duties but the big surprise was the appearance of Cardiff 131 for a couple of trips in the afternoon. 

Old friends

There is a siding at the far side of the exhibition hall.
The flat wagon originally came from Leeds and was in constant use until quite recently. Over the years it has been heavily rebuilt.
Between the blue sheet and the Portakabin is the red tip truck that was used when the depot floors were concreted.
Finally the crane which I think came from Sheffield was absolutely vital in the early days. Again it has been heavily reconstructed.

Manchester

I was in Manchester on Saturday.

The roadway at the entrance to Piccadilly bus station is already breaking up after only about a year's use.