Blackpool Trams

[seasidersfan]

Yes that is still the plan. I have heard that demolition of Wilko may be behind schedule due to issues with building a new store and relocated. There might have to be a temporary terminus until the final site is cleared.

 

[geoffk]

The proposed timetable (in peak season) is:
Starr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry- every 10 mins (same as before).
North Station to Pleasure Beach- every 20 mins.
North Station to Bispham- every 20 minutes.

The Blackpool Transport website shows the trams running every 12 minutes, not 10.

 

[LOL The Irony]

The Blackpool Transport website shows the trams running every 12 minutes, not 10.

The trams are every 10 minutes.

 

[seasidersfan]

The Blackpool Transport website shows the trams running every 12 minutes, not 10.

They switched to the illuminations timetable this week so are every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 10 at weekends. In the summer season they are 10 minutes every day, and every 15 in winter.

 

[geoffk]

They switched to the illuminations timetable this week so are every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 10 at weekends. In the summer season they are 10 minutes every day, and every 15 in winter.

OK thanks. 13 trams required then for a 10 minute service and four more probably for a Bispham - North Station - Pleasure Beach service every 20, as the driver will have to change ends at North Station.

 

[seasidersfan]

OK thanks. 13 trams required then for a 10 minute service and four more probably for a Bispham - North Station - Pleasure Beach service every 20, as the driver will have to change ends at North Station.

Yes exactly that. So if two trams are out of service for whatever reason the whole thing comes apart...

 

[geoffk]

Yes exactly that. So if two trams are out of service for whatever reason the whole thing comes apart...

Does that mean that Balloons from the B fleet will need to be available for use on a daily basis?

 

[seasidersfan]

Does that mean that Balloons from the B fleet will need to be available for use on a daily basis?

Yes quite possibly. Whether they actually will be is another question. They have been hardly used at all on the main service since the new tramway opened, some haven't even been switched on for years. The few that are regularly used do heritage tours to further confuse the passenger.

 

[geoffk]

Yes quite possibly. Whether they actually will be is another question. They have been hardly used at all on the main service since the new tramway opened, some haven't even been switched on for years. The few that are regularly used do heritage tours to further confuse the passenger.

Went to Blackpool today. Eleven trams on a 12-minute headway, not including no. 007. A mate of mine, who lives in Blackpool, told me he'd never seen 007. Is there a reason? Progress is being made with tracklaying on Talbot Road and some old rails from the first generation tramway are visible.

 

[seasidersfan]

Went to Blackpool today. Eleven trams on a 12-minute headway, not including no. 007. A mate of mine, who lives in Blackpool, told me he'd never seen 007. Is there a reason? Progress is being made with tracklaying on Talbot Road and some old rails from the first generation tramway are visible.

Unusual to have NEVER seen 007 'Alan Whitbread', it's been in service just as much as the others. It may be undergoing maintenance currently though I know a few Flexities are.

As for the extension tracks it's coming along nicely, they have just completed the road surface on the first section:

They on target to finish in time for Spring/Summer 2019 but the one thing that may scupper it is that a Wilko store needs to be demolished before the terminus can be built and that still hasn't happened yet, so there might have to be a temporary terminus somewhere until then.

 

[edwin_m]

Are those lighting columns the poles from the previous tramway overhead, newly installed for the new overhead, or did someone have the foresight to replace them when the OLE for the tram was re-done a few years back? If they are old I hope they will be able to re-use them, but I suspect they won't as modern safety standards require a much heavier pole than previously.

 

[seasidersfan]

Are those lighting columns the poles from the previous tramway overhead, newly installed for the new overhead, or did someone have the foresight to replace them when the OLE for the tram was re-done a few years back? If they are old I hope they will be able to re-use them, but I suspect they won't as modern safety standards require a much heavier pole than previously.

They are old ones. And as far as I know some of them will be reused. Not all of them though because the new layout will differ significantly from the previous route.

 

[geoffk]

Unusual to have NEVER seen 007 'Alan Whitbread', it's been in service just as much as the others. It may be undergoing maintenance currently though I know a few Flexities are.

As for the extension tracks it's coming along nicely, they have just completed the road surface on the first section:
They on target to finish in time for Spring/Summer 2019 but the one thing that may scupper it is that a Wilko store needs to be demolished before the terminus can be built and that still hasn't happened yet, so there might have to be a temporary terminus somewhere until then.

Thanks for update. I saw that 003 and 016 are in a hideous pink advertising livery! Sheffield has two similar ones.

 

[seasidersfan]

Thanks for update. I saw that 003 and 016 are in a hideous pink advertising livery! Sheffield has two similar ones.

It's certainly divided opinion!

They do actually look better in the flesh mind you.

 

[Bungle965]

I don't mind them so much as they don't cover up the windows, Metrolink is still allowing trams to be covered up near enough fully with advertising. It's just not really a pleasant experience being on one of them which has had it covered up.
Sam

 

[Mikey C]

The pink colour matches the hen party outfits

 

[davehsug]

Just back from a few days in Blackpool and the 12 minute service wasn't too bad, apart from Tuesday to Fleetwood & Wednesday to Cleveleys. I found the evening Northbound service a little confusing with the mix of Fleetwood, Cleveleys & Little Bispham services. The Western Train was out on illumination tours, always nice to see, and even a boat did a few tours. Being a skinflint though, I flatly refuse to pay the extra £11 for a heritage day ticket for a 6 hour service of short runs, there really ought to be a discount for those who've already shelled out for a weekly ticket, that they're only going to use for 5 days anyway!

 

[bluegoblin7]

This statement...

Being a skinflint though, I flatly refuse to pay the extra £11 for a heritage day ticket for a 6 hour service of short runs

...is what will eventually lead to this statement...

The Western Train was out on illumination tours, always nice to see, and even a boat did a few tours.

...being something from the past. The sole biggest problem being faced by the Heritage operation is enthusiasts photographing and liking to see the old trams out and about, but contributing absolutely nothing to their upkeep and survival.

Whilst you do have a fair point that it's a significant additional expense to purchase a day ticket when you already have a weekly, you also have to remember that these come from different pots of cash/business units - and the target markets are also entirely different. Cheaper, short-hop or single-trip heritage tickets are available, and even those will assist with the upkeep and survival of the operation.

 

[davehsug]

This statement...



...is what will eventually lead to this statement...



...being something from the past. The sole biggest problem being faced by the Heritage operation is enthusiasts photographing and liking to see the old trams out and about, but contributing absolutely nothing to their upkeep and survival.

Whilst you do have a fair point that it's a significant additional expense to purchase a day ticket when you already have a weekly, you also have to remember that these come from different pots of cash/business units - and the target markets are also entirely different. Cheaper, short-hop or single-trip heritage tickets are available, and even those will assist with the upkeep and survival of the operation.

It's a fair point, but to be honest, I've ridden boats often enough between Talbot Square & Pleasure Beach through my life. Pleasant as it is, I can only get enthusiastic about a Fleetwood trip, or at least Cleveleys. I know the modern headways make this more complicated, but it's the only thing I would be willing to pay extra for, unless the glorious day ever arrived when a Coronation, Twin-Car, or even OMO (is 5 still around?), managed to sneak out.
I realise I'm an old fart who used to hang around Bispham station on a warm sunny Fleetwood Tuesday or illumination Saturday, hoping that something interesting might turn up and maybe in 10 years time, I'll get all nostalgic about a balloon ride or even a rebuilt railcoach, but not quite yet!

 

[Busaholic]

It's certainly divided opinion!

They do actually look better in the flesh mind you.

That wouldn't be difficult!

 

[Clip]

I see from this morning they have now started on the second section of the extension up Talbot road. Cant find anything about the demolishing of the Wilkos and the new terminal yet though - have they got the funding as they claim its going to be running by Easter 2019 but theres no way they will tear down and have a new build in that time.

 

[edwin_m]

I'd hazard a guess Blackpool has enough empty retail premises for Wilkos to move into without needing new build.

 

[seasidersfan]

I see from this morning they have now started on the second section of the extension up Talbot road. Cant find anything about the demolishing of the Wilkos and the new terminal yet though - have they got the funding as they claim its going to be running by Easter 2019 but theres no way they will tear down and have a new build in that time.

The plan is that Wilko is going to move to a new development at the Houndshill Shopping Centre- a three-story extension consisting of a restaurant, retail outlets and a cinema complex. That may sound unachievable in a few months but the plan is that the Wilko store will be on the ground floor of the building, so it can be built and opened fairly quickly before the rest of it is built on top. That will allow for the existing site to be cleared and flattened (would take a few weeks at a guess) before trackwork can begin.

The work at Houndshill is starting imminently with an intended opening Q1 2019 I believe. Works at the terminus are set to commence March-ish, it'll be very tight but is just about doable to schedule in the best-case scenario. As for Easter opening, that was changed quite a while ago and was only an initial timeframe, it'll be Summer 2019 at least. If things don't go to plan there is talk of a temporary tram terminus somewhere along the route so that services can begin without the final site being ready.

To throw another spanner in the works, the proposed underpass between BPN and the tram terminus forms part of a hotel development which will also be on the site of Wilko. Construction of that building won't be done until 2021, so I'm not sure what arrangements there will be between the trams and station until then.

 

[DavidGrain]

Have just read all the way through this thread. I was thinking, only two days ago that it was time I went back to Blackpool but I don't think I can manage it this illuminations season. I used to be a regular visitor.

Just to get me up to date. There was a plan years ago to bring back the tramway from Gynn Square to Blackpool North Station. Did that die a death? I strikes me that this would be the answer to a regular service from north of Bispham to the town centre. I have walked that road many times with a suitcase as i have stayed many times at the Imperial or Savoy Hotels.

Completely off topic. Anyone know what the Metropole is like these days as I was a regular there in Butlin's days but have never stayed there under later ownership?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Completely off topic. Anyone know what the Metropole is like these days as I was a regular there in Butlin's days but have never stayed there under later ownership?

We had our 2016 holiday there so I can answer that - no problems with it as a hotel although the fire alarm went off twice in as many days for no reason. The building itself could do with a bit of cosmetic work in places, but to be fair it takes a heck of a battering in the storms being in such a prominent position on the front. If you ask for a specific side of the building ( e.g. sea view ) they can handle the requests although obviously as with all hotels the further ahead you book the greater the chance that they can grant the request.

Would I stay there again? Yes, although it would also be nice to try some of the other big name hotels a bit further north just to compare.

 

[seasidersfan]

Have just read all the way through this thread. I was thinking, only two days ago that it was time I went back to Blackpool but I don't think I can manage it this illuminations season. I used to be a regular visitor.

Just to get me up to date. There was a plan years ago to bring back the tramway from Gynn Square to Blackpool North Station. Did that die a death? I strikes me that this would be the answer to a regular service from north of Bispham to the town centre.

Not heard any talk of that. Probably not cost-effective because it's quite a long stretch that would be duplicating the existing tramway. The Talbot Road spur will have junctions for both northbound and southbound (already installed) so services to the north will be simple.

 

[Clip]

The plan is that Wilko is going to move to a new development at the Houndshill Shopping Centre- a three-story extension consisting of a restaurant, retail outlets and a cinema complex. That may sound unachievable in a few months but the plan is that the Wilko store will be on the ground floor of the building, so it can be built and opened fairly quickly before the rest of it is built on top. That will allow for the existing site to be cleared and flattened (would take a few weeks at a guess) before trackwork can begin.

The work at Houndshill is starting imminently with an intended opening Q1 2019 I believe. Works at the terminus are set to commence March-ish, it'll be very tight but is just about doable to schedule in the best-case scenario. As for Easter opening, that was changed quite a while ago and was only an initial timeframe, it'll be Summer 2019 at least. If things don't go to plan there is talk of a temporary tram terminus somewhere along the route so that services can begin without the final site being ready.

To throw another spanner in the works, the proposed underpass between BPN and the tram terminus forms part of a hotel development which will also be on the site of Wilko. Construction of that building won't be done until 2021, so I'm not sure what arrangements there will be between the trams and station until then.

Thanks for the informed reply.

 

[seasidersfan]

Thanks for the informed reply.

Well now it's all rubbish because yesterday the council put out the following statement effectively announcing a delay...

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/News/2...ation-of-Blackpool-town-centre-confirmed.aspx

The tramway project will see all road closures completed before the end of February 2019 and the new station will then be built once the existing wilko store is demolished. The first passengers will be able to ride up to Talbot Gateway before the end of 2020.

The sign-off of the various agreements in October will catalyse a sequence of projects that will see the new wilko store being completed on Tower Street in late autumn 2019 and opening shortly afterwards.

 

[Clip]

Well now it's all rubbish because yesterday the council put out the following statement effectively announcing a delay...

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/News/2...ation-of-Blackpool-town-centre-confirmed.aspx

Wow thats amazing

 

[nat67]

Just back from a few days in Blackpool and the 12 minute service wasn't too bad, apart from Tuesday to Fleetwood & Wednesday to Cleveleys. I found the evening Northbound service a little confusing with the mix of Fleetwood, Cleveleys & Little Bispham services. The Western Train was out on illumination tours, always nice to see, and even a boat did a few tours. Being a skinflint though, I flatly refuse to pay the extra £11 for a heritage day ticket for a 6 hour service of short runs, there really ought to be a discount for those who've already shelled out for a weekly ticket, that they're only going to use for 5 days anyway!

I was up there on Saturday, first time for me in Blackpool and I was busy in the evening bashing all the main stops between North Pier & Starr Gate.