Blackpool to Fleetwood Tramway

[buspilot]

How many of us remember the old trams travelling from Starr Gate to Fleetwood? Happy memories?

Well, it's about to go for good!

At the end of this season, both ends of the tramway will close until early 2012 for rebuilding. At the moment, it appears that Sunday, 8th November, will be the last day of through running by the existing tram fleet between the two terminals. During 2010/11 trams will only operate between Pleasure Beach and Ash Street (Fishermans Walk) in Fleetwood.

When the tramway reopens to it's full lengthin 2012, only the new 16 low floor "supertrams", being built by Bombardier in Vienna, will traverse the whole length, with perhaps occasional visits by trams retained from the"heritage" fleet on specials. The intermediate service between Pleasure Beach and Cleveleys is scheduled to be worked by "balloons".

At the Starr Gate end, a new tram depot is to be built and the track is planned to become open sleeper with a fence either side and only two/three crossing points. At Fleetwood, the existing street tracks are to be dug up and new tracks relaid closer to the curbsides.

So, if you want one last ride on the existing tramway and it's fleet, then make sure you make a trip before November.....and take your camera.

[calflier]

Yes I saw the news item about this,I think some of it is down to European regulations on disabled access to the older trams,similar to the Routemaster buses in London and old buses in Malta having to be replaced,its becoming a boring world transport wise isnt it !.

here my contribution taken about 8 years ago(I think the last time the sun shone in the north west LOL)

[johnoakes]

Spent many happy days on the trams at Blackpool.
Going through the lights on the tram and making it an occasion by running from Star Gate to Fleetwood and back was always great.

I think it was the first true electric tramway and it deserves to be extended not reduced-- a line to Preston would always be a goer in my opinion.--think of the reduction in car journeys that would cause.

[buspilot]

A few pics I took last Wednesday:







The tramway has already been closed from Pleasure Beach to Starr Gate.

The "balloons" maintain the Fleetwood journeys and the "Centenary cars" the Cleveleys short workings. Nothing else in day service.