THE BLACKPOOL & Fleetwood tramway’s 125th Anniversary year just got a lot bigger for many tram enthusiasts, with rumours emerging that mothballed twin-sets nos. 671+681 & 673+683 are to be re-activated and bought back into regular usage.
The speculation about the cars – which haven’t run since 2007 and 2009 respectively – has arisen following the publication of the new tramway timetable, coming into effect from Monday 26th July and seeing the tramway re-open between Cleveleys and Ash Street. The timetable is expected to require 11 double-deck cars, split between Ash Street and Thornton Gate service, however there are currently only 9 double-deckers that are available for service and are permitted to proceed north of Little Bispham, due to the transponder-operated crossing that is now situated there. Add to this number the current two operable twin-cars, Sets 672+682 & 675+685 and BTS do have enough cars to operate the service, however there is no spare availability in the event of failures, fuelling the rumours that the duo are set to re-appear.
In recent years the number of operable twin cars has been dropping at a rate of about 1 a year – Set 3 was withdrawn at the end of 2009, 2008 saw Set 674+684 succumb to the mothballs, and Set 1 was the first of the refreshed sets to be withdrawn back in 2007. It is therefore pleasing to note that 2010 has already seen more use of the Twin sets than for several years, and it is even more pleasing to note that two are now set to make a come-back.
Indeed, whilst they are just rumours, Tramways Monthly reliably believes that the cars are already in the workshops at Blackpool’s Rigby Road depot recieving check-overs before returning to service. With the Ash Street service commencing on Monday, all of the facts stack in favour of the rumours being correct: Thornton Gate flyers instead of Cleveleys flyers, 11 cars for 11 routes with no spares and 5 sets featuring low voltage systems and thus being able to recieve transponders.
All in all, this news is excellent for the tramway and resort in general, and we will bring you the latest news as we recieve it!
Our thanks go to regular Blackpool Aloud contributor Scott Moore for allowing us to use the photographs included with this article.
Excellent news. I’m not sure if it’s me just convincing myself but the trams do seem busier this year.
On a totally seperate point but being based so close to a tram stop in Cleveleys, me and Mrs Zim are using the trams where ever we can as public transport, it beats the stress of trying to find somewhere to park in Blackpool.
Now all we need to do is to try and promote the same logic to others to do the same, I think in the long run we will need financial discounts for this so it’s cheaper to travel by tram for a family than parking in Blackpool.
Very pleased to see the old trailers back in serivce. In the 1980′s I used to like watching the driver from the trailer end. A lot quiter than the powered car and I used to like the old destination maps similar to the undergound design. It is also amazing to think that these cars were made from 1930′s railcoaches. 680 was always my favourite as a kid.