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Blackpool Trams

Page 1: An Overview 1933-2012


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This is one of a series of pages on Blackpool trams under construction. This page presents an overview of Blackpool tram types since deliveries of the streamlined fleet began in 1933. Some older vehicles will also be added.



 

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References
   Blackpool Transport website  www.blackpooltransport.com

Blackpool Transport Maps



Blackpool Trams
Page 1: An Overview 1934-2012


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Standard Trams
Blackpool Standard Car Car No.40 preserved at Crich Tramway Museum in 1976
Photo: ©1976 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1976 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Railcoaches 200-224, 264-283 (later 608-620)

The first English Electric trams in the streamlined fleet were the standard enclosed single deck trams known as Railcoaches, so-called because they emulated the comfort of the latest road coaches. 200 was the prototype English Electric streamlined tram delivered in June 1933 and was 2ft shorter than later deliveries. The last of the first batch, 224, was delivered in May 1934. Subsequent tram deliveries to Blackpool were the Boats (225-236) and Balloons (237-263) until February 1935. Deliveries of the second batch of Railcoaches (264-283) followed, finishing in September 1935.

None of these trams remain in their original form. Most of the first batch were scrapped between 1961-65. Ten cars were rebuilt as towing cars for the Progress twin cars in the 1950s and 1960s and thirteen were converted to the One-Man Operated (OMO) class in the 1970s. These have all since been scrapped or withdrawn. The last railcoaches in the fleet were the heavily modified former towing cars 678–680 which were converted back to single trams with driver cabs at both ends. Two Railcoaches became illuminated cars 733 and 735.  (Ref: Wikipedia)



Railcoaches in service
Photo: © Ian Boyle Collection

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Boats 225-236 (later 601-607)

Built by English Electric in 1934, these cars are single deck open-topped models with central doors and gangway. Twelve trams were built numbered 225-236 (later 600-607) and have a passenger capacity of between 52 and 56. These cars are known as boats due to their ship-like streamlined appearance and are one of the most iconic Blackpool trams. All cars are virtually identical, except for 600, which has shorter body panels.

The boats were first commissioned by Walter Luff in 1933, in accordance with his five year plan. The first prototype boat arrived in Blackpool during early spring in 1934 along with four other designs. After an initial trial period, company directors approved an order for eleven more production cars, which arrived in July and August 1934. These new boats were numbered 225-236.

Work began on the circular and coastal tours, replacing the original toastrack cars, which were considered dangerous and old-fashioned. They were stationed at both Rigby Road and Marton depots for ease of access and continued there until the war years, when they were stored out of service due to the withdrawal of the circular tour and general lack of demand. This continued until 1946, when they returned to work on the promenade service.

The full twelve cars remained in regular service until the closure of the inland routes during 1963. The fleet was reduced to eight cars and renumbered 600-607, with 229, 231, 232 and 234 being mothballed and eventually scrapped in 1968. In the early 1990s the boats were refurbished and received a number of new liveries, including Routemaster red, blue and yellow as well as a fictitious wartime livery.[ The fleet was converted from trolley pole to pantograph conductors. However, they were soon converted back, as passengers regularly complained at being showered by grease and dirt from the power line when it rained.

In addition to the cars at Blackpool, there are boats currently serving in the United States. Car 226 (601) has been at the Western Railway Museum, Suisun City, California since 1971. Car 228 (603) was loaned to Philadelphia in 1976 for the United States Bicentennial, and was then returned to Blackpool where it was stored until 1984, when it was acquired as a gift for the San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) where it is still occasionally operated. Finally, car 606 was given to the Trolleyville Museum, Ohio, in September 2000, in return for Standard 147, which has been restored to original condition.  (Ref: Wikipedia)



Boat trams in service
Photo: ©1981/86 Ian Boyle

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Balloons 237-263 (later 701-726)

Commissioned in 1933 by Walter Luff, in a bid to modernise the tramway's fleet, they were intended to replace the Dreadnought cars that had been in service since the opening of the tramway. They were built by English Electric during 1934 and 1935, the first being presented to Blackpool on 10 December 1934. 27 were delivered, of which thirteen were open-topped (237-249). The rest (250-263) were fully enclosed used on both summer and winter services. They had central doors and stairs, with a capacity of 84-94. Half-drop windows provided ventilation and art deco curved glass lights provided electric lighting. The enclosed-top trams had sliding roof windows and thermostatic-controlled radiators.

The closed top cars originally worked on the Squires Gate service, and it was during this time that they became known as Balloon Cars because of their rounded streamlined appearance. During World War II the need for the open-top cars fell significantly and cars 237-249 had their tops enclosed to look almost like 250-263. Also during this period the fleet was painted in a dark green and cream livery in order to conserve paint and time, as well as to reduce the chances of their being spotted from the air.

After the war years the Balloons were neglected slightly in place of the new Coronation Cars, as they were considered old fashioned and too slow to load. Blackpool Corporation soon changed its mind after experiencing the temperamental nature of the Coronations and the Balloons began to make a comeback in the late 1950s. In 1958 check rail was installed through to Fleetwood and the Balloons increasingly began to appear on market-day specials, as they were useful for moving the large crowds travelling north. The Balloons continued to run their normal Squires Gate service until its closure in 1961, and following this the entire class solely worked on the promenade service.

In 1968 they were re-numbered to 700-726. Between 1979 and 1982, Balloon cars 725 and 714 were totally rebuilt into two new Jubilee cars, 761 and 762. The reconstruction of 725 included moving the stairs to the end and extending its body length. However, 762 retained a central door. During 1980, an accident at the Pleasure Beach loop caused 705 and 706 to be withdrawn. 705 was scrapped and 706 was rebuilt as an open-topper, later named Princess Alice. During the early 1990s a number of Balloons that had been retired from service were heavily modernised, re-emerging with flat ends and modern interiors known as Millennium cars.

In 2002 the Balloons were banned north of Thornton Gate due to the poor condition of the track. Following heavy repair work the Balloons were allowed back from 2005.

With the arrival of the Flexity 2 trams, some Balloon cars are being fitted with widened doors and other modifications to enable them to run alongside the new fleet. Some others are being preserved: the first to leave, number 249/712, is preserved static (but with the interior open to the public as it was when withdrawn) in pre-war livery at the National Tramway Museum at Crich. One is remaining in operational condition at Beamish Open Air Museum, but as Sunderland 101 in a red and cream livery.  (Ref: Wikipedia)



Balloon trams in service
Photo: ©1981/86 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Balloon trams in service
Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Balloon trams in service
Photo: ©1996 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1996 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Brush Cars 225-236 (later 621-638)

In 1937, Brush built single deck cars which closely resemble the original English Electric railcoaches. They were numbered, later 621-638. Car 633 has been rebuilt into the illuminated Trawler and is now number 737. The Brush cars originally had twin front destination blinds and extra windows along the roof. These were both removed on most examples and single destination boxes installed. Ugly illuminated advertising boxes were also installed on many trams and most also received full advertising liveries.  (Ref: Wikipedia)


Brush cars in service
Photo: ©1979/86 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Brush cars in service
Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1995 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1995 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards
 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1995 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1995 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards


 




Coronation Cars

Named because they were introduced in Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Year, 1953 only three members of this class of car remain. They were built by Charles Roberts Ltd at their Horbury Junction works, nr. Wakefield. Two were preserved under the private ownership of the Lancastrian Transport Trust (LTT). The sophisticated Variable Automatic Multinotch Braking and Acceleration Control (VAMBAC) control system of these vehicles proved to be their Achilles heel as it was unreliable in service. Thirteen of the class had their VAMBAC systems replaced by conventional controllers during the 1960s, prolonging their comparatively short service life to 1975, when they were withdrawn. The unmodified examples were withdrawn from service in 1968.  (Ref: Wikipedia)


Preserved Coronation
Photo: ©1986 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1978 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Progress Twin-Cars
(272-281 + T1-T10  -  later 671-680 + 681-690)

Single deck towing and trailer cars. 671–680 (towing cars) and 681–687 (trailer cars).

Ten English Electric Railcoaches from the second batch were rebuilt as towing cars between 1958 and 1962. They were renumbered 272-281 (671–680 from 1968). Their cabs were heavily redesigned to resemble the then contemporary Coronation cars. They towed ten new trailers (T1-T10) built by Metropolitan-Cammell, which look almost identical except for the lack of a pantograph tower. They were not a great success since they could only be turned at return loops. 671-677 were later converted into fixed coupled pairs with driving cabs fitted to the trailer so the set could be driven from either end. The coupled trailers were renumbered 681-687. The other three towing cars 678-680 continued to run as single cars and their trailers were scrapped.

They operate in regular pairs, such as 675 and 685, except for 678 to 680, which operate singly. The trailer cars originally had the fleet numbers T1 to T10  (Ref: Wikipedia)



Progress Twin-Cars
Photo: ©1986 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



ex-Progress Twin-Cars running as single cars
Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







OMO Cars 1-13

Between 1972 and 1976, thirteen One Man Operation cars were rebuilt from Railcoaches. Simply known as 'OMO' cars, these thirteen workhorses set about all-year service on the Starr Gate - Fleetwood route. They were replaced from 1984 by the Centenary cars. Ten of the thirteen cars were cars were scrapped, one was rebuilt whilst two are in preservation today.  (Ref: Wikipedia)


OMO cars in service
Photo: ©1981/86 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1978 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1978 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1979 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Jubilee Cars 761-762

The In the late 1970s, Blackpool Corporation decided that the tramway fleet needed modernising after the closure of the inland routes during the 1960s. Attention was drawn to two Balloon Cars, 714 and 725, which had been mothballed as they were in need of an overhaul. It was felt that these would be useful on the promenade during the summer due to their high seating capacity and reliability. The corporation set about rebuilding one of these old Balloons into Jubilee Cars. The first to be rebuilt, 725, was stripped down to its shell and had its under-frame and body lengthened, controller changed, doors and stairs relocated to the front and iconic pointed ends replaced with square ones. The bogies were replaced with fabricated ones able to accommodate Metalastik rubber/metal bonded suspension in the manner of the OMO vehicles and the tram officially entered service in 1979 after testing as Jubilee 761. Balloon 714 was later rebuilt in a similar fashion, except it retained its original central doors as well as the front ones in order to improve passenger flow at stops. 714 re-entered service in 1982 as Jubilee 762.  (Ref: Wikipedia)


Jubilee cars in service
Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1983 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Centenary Cars 641-648

The centenary cars are single deck trams with flat ends and doors positioned at both the front and centre giving them a more bus-like appearance. They are numbered 641–648 and have a capacity of 52 passengers (of which 16 is standing). They can be operated by one person, as the position of the doors means that the tram can be solely operated by the driver. This is useful during low season and early morning/late night services.

Centenary cars were built by East Lancashire Coachbuilders in 1985, the tramway's centenary year, hence their name. Originally intended to replace the OMO cars which were suffering from metal fatigue, twelve were ordered. However, due to cost cutting only eight were ever built. The cost cutting continued as, although the bodies chassis and bogies were brand new the motors and wheelsets were pre-war, refurbished from various withdrawn cars. The bogie design continued the theme of the OMO cars, having "Metalastik" rubber/metal bonded springs.  (Ref: Wikipedia)



Centenary cars in service
Photos: ©1993 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1995 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1993 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Millennium Cars

The Millennium cars are double deck trams which were rebuilt from Balloon cars between 1998 and 2004 to an in-house design. They have a much more rectangular shape which gives the upper decks increased capacity. The trams retain the numbers they carried in the Balloon series. The first conversion 707 lacked corner windows in the upper deck, making it very gloomy and reducing visibility. Later conversions had extra windows to match the driver's cab. 707 may have had these retro fitted.  (Ref: Wikipedia)


Millennium car 707
Photo: ©1998 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1998 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Flexity 2 Cars 001-116

As part of the upgrade of the entire tramway, 16 new Bombardier Flexity 2 trams were ordered, for use on the tramway. The worldwide launch of the tram, including showing the first new tram occurred on the 8th September 2011 at the new Starr Gate depot in Blackpool. These state of the art trams include many differences to the original fleet, including 100% step free access from platform to tram, dedicated wheelchair spaces, and a higher seating and standing capacity, as well as faster acceleration and quieter running. They are also fitted with audio visual 'next stop' displays. The trams are accommodated at the new depot built at Starr Gate by Volker Fitzpatrick. (Ref: Wikipedia)

More Images of Flexity 2 trams




Flexity 2 cars in service
Photo: ©1979/86 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Illuminated Trams

Western Train

Western Train illuminated tram leaving Rigby Road Depot
Photo: ©  Mike Tedstone 19th October 2012

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS 2012 - Photo: ©2012 Mike Tedstone - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards







Heritage Trams
Bolton 66

When I visited Blackpool in the early 1980s, restored Bolton 66 was often used on normal services along the Promenade, generally between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham.

Bolton 66 at North Pier
Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards




Bolton 66 at Pleasure Beach
Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsBLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©1981 Ian Boyle - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards




Bolton 66 remains at Blackpool in 2012 - seen here in the depot
Photo: ©2012 Mike Tedstone

 BLACKPOOL TRAMS - Photo: ©Mike Tedstone 19th October 2012 - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards




















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