Blackpool Flexity's - noise when moving off

[Crossover]

I have been on the "new" Flexity's in Blackpool today for the first time, and noticed that after we had stopped, be it at a signal, stop, or otherwise, when we set off, there was a noise from under the tram that sounded like a motorised unscrewing of something...every time, and quite loud!

Is this something to do with a parking brake or such? It never seemed to happen on stopping, which seemed odd!

 

[BestWestern]

Could it be the sound of a fabulous historic transport system being ripped up and turned into a dull and annonymous 'me too' devoid of anything worth being remotely interested in....?!

Just a suggestion

 

[507 001]

It's the parking brake being wound off. M5000s do it too but quite quietly.

Got to agree about Blackpool though, as nice as the new system is, it would have been nicer with a fleet of properly restored, properly looked after heritage cars.

 

[starrymarkb]

Hasn't it managed to pick up more non tourist traffic since being modernised? There is still heritage stuff out during the summer but off season I must admit the 1980s East Lancs single decks looked pretty ugly and uninviting.

 

[MCR247]

Could it be the sound of a fabulous historic transport system being ripped up and turned into a dull and annonymous 'me too' devoid of anything worth being remotely interested in....?!

Just a suggestion

 

[ValleyLines142]

I quite like the noises they make!

 

[WestCoast]

Hasn't it managed to pick up more non tourist traffic since being modernised? There is still heritage stuff out during the summer but off season I must admit the 1980s East Lancs single decks looked pretty ugly and uninviting.

It has on the northern section (north of the Tower) between Blackpool, Bispham, Cleveleys and Fleetwood. There's a lot of older people living that way who do use the tram now whereas they would have used the buses before - the previous non-tourist offering being pretty paltry with those ugly East Lancs boxes!

However, free travel pass restrictions brought in last month for non-Blackpool Council issued passes may reduce those numbers as many concessionary holders on the route have passes from Wyre Council (as well as other places). The whole thing is a bit of a farce but the budgets are under pressure! It's very much Blackpool Council's flashy toy, I even heard from someone that Wyre Council sent an electricity bill over to Blackpool! :roll:

As for the noise on the Flexity trams, I like it!

 

[hassaanhc]

Anyone who hasn't heard it, can hear at the beginning of this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eNF59xZKrE

Sounds most odd, I thought the OP meant it sounded like the newer DLR units

 

[507 001]

Yep definitely the parking brake coming off. M5000s make exactly the same noise but it's less noticeable (probably because your further away from the bogie!).

IIRC the parking brake uses hydraulics to apply but has to then be physically wound off. Don't quote me on that, I'll have to try and find a bit more info from work.

 

[Crossover]

Thanks all - I did think it may be the parking brake - the units themselves are alright, but the sound of the brake winding off is rather annoying! That said, I was on the same tram for nearly 2 hours, so that may explain part of the problem!

I'm aware of the M5000's making a click as they set off, but it may well be that if they wind the parking brake off in the same way, it is less noticeable due to the gap between the bogie and floor as you say - I would be certainly interested to learn more on this

As for the comments about new not being good, realistically, I doubt there would have been any way for the system to continue in operation in normal revenue earning service with the heritage fleet, as I doubt there would be anyway to make them compliant. I think in the circumstances, we are left with the best compromise of having the heritage trams there to work special services with new, compliant, units to work the daily stuff

 

[WatcherZero]

Yeah, and financially the network refurbishment seems to have been a great success.

 

[Mojo]

l remember going to Blackpool on holiday in 2004 and having to wait an exceptionally long period of time at the stops at busy periods because the trams were not that frequent anyway, and would turn up totally packed and the driver or guard would not allow any more customers to board. This was a regular occurrence during my few days there, and l'd say wasn't good for the image of the Tramway or for local business as you could never rely on being able to get there/get away from many stops.

 

[Crossover]

I was stood next to an M5000 on Monday a couple of times as it moved off, and indeed, from outside the tram, stood at the front you can hear a similar noise to the Blackpool Flexity's, but you do have to listen very closely. Shame they couldn't make the noise less intrusive on the Blackpool units