All of the heritage cars are likely to need significant recommissioning work; 700 for example has sat unused in Rigby Road for an extended period of time now despite having been a staple member of the active heritage fleet prior to the cessation of services.
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Blackpool Heritage Tram Operations Suspended
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bluegoblin7
Established Member
As has been stated before also, the heritage fleet has generally just been 'using up' existing life in the legacy vehicles. Very little significant work has been done to the trams in decades - and even the 'completely' rebuilt cars haven't had as much done to them as many people think. Particularly when you consider the corrosive atmosphere of Blackpool, it is completely unsurprising that even relatively recent restorations like the Western Train need extensive work - it certainly isn't the 'newest' tram.
All of this was ultimately inevitable, and if there had been a stable business, conservation and works plan in place from the start rather than focussing on playing with as many toys as possible it's less likely that the trams would be in the situation that they are. Ultimately it's too little, too late.
All of this was ultimately inevitable, and if there had been a stable business, conservation and works plan in place from the start rather than focussing on playing with as many toys as possible it's less likely that the trams would be in the situation that they are. Ultimately it's too little, too late.
Completely agree that ‘stable business plan’ was very obviously never part of the heritage set-up; you can’t really blame the volunteers for that, Blackpool Transport are the operator and they ought to have made some effort to promote the idea to the wider public.
Hopefully the decision will be made to invest in a small retained heritage fleet, perhaps just Bolton & 717, which might pay for themselves and their associated operating costs through a few private hire bookings and some heritage tours. That would seem a reasonable compromise, and given BT’s (admittedly questionable) decision to maintain the Flexcity fleet in-house, it ought to be achievable from an existing engineering perspective, albeit with certain work possibly needing farming out elsewhere.
Hopefully the decision will be made to invest in a small retained heritage fleet, perhaps just Bolton & 717, which might pay for themselves and their associated operating costs through a few private hire bookings and some heritage tours. That would seem a reasonable compromise, and given BT’s (admittedly questionable) decision to maintain the Flexcity fleet in-house, it ought to be achievable from an existing engineering perspective, albeit with certain work possibly needing farming out elsewhere.
bluegoblin7
Established Member
You can’t blame the front line volunteers operating the trams, but some of the original management structure of the heritage operation was done by volunteers. However, the inferred suggestion that volunteers can’t or won’t put together a stable business plan makes a mockery of most heritage organisations in the UK, including the other preserved tramways which are generally volunteer led.
717 and Bolton 66 are certainly likely candidates to have a future - 717 was extensively rebuilt with significant work to the structural frames (albeit again not as much as often believed - it hasn’t had a new underframe for example. Bolton 66 being owned privately and with specific fundraising and support is always going to stand it in good stead.
717 and Bolton 66 are certainly likely candidates to have a future - 717 was extensively rebuilt with significant work to the structural frames (albeit again not as much as often believed - it hasn’t had a new underframe for example. Bolton 66 being owned privately and with specific fundraising and support is always going to stand it in good stead.
Regardless of capability it shouldn’t be falling to volunteers to produce business plans in a commercial operation with the full capacities of a decent sized company at its disposal. Particularly in terms of the most basic elements such as using the myriad of advertising space available on the main bus and tram fleet and the hundreds of bus shelters across the town as an obvious way to promote something that ought to be aimed heavily at tourists. It isn’t rocket science, but regretfully appeared seldom to have the attention of the wider management.
Operation of privately owned cars might be a sensible way forwards IMHO, with suitable commercial arrangements to ensure that things remain professional. Again though, it all depends on whether the will exists to put these things together.
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bluegoblin7
Established Member
Given the original heritage plans - right up until things started to go south a couple of years ago - were for a charitable organisation to lead the heritage operation it absolutely, in part, fell on volunteers. The heritage trams have never had the 'full capacities of [Blackpool Transport] behind them' - that is part of the issue. The draw is not as large as most enthusiasts believe it to be. That isn't to say there isn't demand for a small, self sufficient heritage operation, but this very thread has shown that the people who want a plethora of operational cars running won't put their hand in their pocket to fund it.
I am being cagey with how much I put in the public domain but I know a lot more of the ins and outs of the heritage operation, and some of the personalities behind it, than most - as many longer term forum members in this space will be acutely aware (Tramways Occasionally anyone
)
I am being cagey with how much I put in the public domain but I know a lot more of the ins and outs of the heritage operation, and some of the personalities behind it, than most - as many longer term forum members in this space will be acutely aware (Tramways Occasionally anyone
)Topmandog1
Member
Oh yeah I'm thinking of it's restoration like 16 years ago
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The heritage trams aren't operated by front line volunteers it's ran by drivers and such from Blackpool transport now, they got rid of all the volunteers
bluegoblin7
Established Member
Again - the "restoration" was not as thorough as most believe it to be. Likewise, if there had been a business plan when the traditional trams finished we would not be in this position. Rot at this level doesn't happen overnight - the current Blackpool Transport set up is an outcome, not a cause. Anyone who can't understand that is either being selective in their memory or particularly rose tinted.
Topmandog1
Member
i saw that but i'd have thought somebody would have captured it moving, or is it a old photo?
Mitchell Hurd
On Moderation
- Joined
- 28 Oct 2017
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- 1,759
There is one solution and it's better than nothing - heritage buses from the area or nearby?
Don’t give them ideas! I’m somewhat sceptical as to why they’re suddenly vinyling a Flexity into ‘heritage’ green and cream!
Topmandog1
Member
fun fact, heritage owned 2 heritage buses, an Atlantean and a open top Olympian and sold them both i think in 2024
so, no
Leedsbusman
Member
or correctly Blackpool Transported owned two heritage buses (and borrowed a third) but sold them.
Topmandog1
Member
Blackpool transport own heritage, tomatoes, tomatoes
Does it hide the sea-air corrosion?
So now the plan is for a temporary museum while Rigby Road is restored/rebuilt.
Blackpool Transport launches hunt for temporary home for beloved heritage trams
Blackpool Transport launches hunt for temporary home for beloved heritage trams
Sir Felix Pole
Established Member
Restoring Rigby Road sounds like good news - I wonder if temporary accommodation might be available at the Airport? Some of the old aircraft factory buildings have had a bit of a makeover recently. Pity the depot in Fleetwood was demolished some years ago.