Blackpool new trams diagrams

[HA25322]

Is there any? Especially weekdays for the first couple of weeks of October. I would think they would require about 8 of the trams to be out but....??? And is it different at night than during the day? More required at night due to the illuminations being on?
I know there is a Facebook page for the Heritage fleet tours but anyone know of a twitter group for all of Blackpool trams both old and new also?

Cheers Keith

 

[BestWestern]

No idea on diagrams I'm afraid, but as for general fleet utilisation the new fleet is supplemented by an additional pool of modernised Balloon cars, which have had various upgrades to make them compatible with the 'new system' - essentially they have power doors operated by the driver and wider platforms. These run during high season in addition to the regular new trams. They are generally painted in a similar white and purple livery, and include (sadly) the original Balloon, number 700.

 

[HA25322]

Thanks BestWestern. I am aware of this as this was going on when I last went there about 4 years ago as I think 707 and 709 have also been rebuilt with new fronts etc.

I will also be taking into account the heritage tram moves.

However I am looking for information on the new trams and how many may be out and about during the day.

 

[bluegoblin7]

I can't help with details of the Flexity trams (yet - I'll see what I can get!), but just want to clarify the situation with the modified Balloon cars.

700, 707, 709, 711, 713, 718, 719, 720 and 724 were all modified to provide level boarding.

700, 711 and 719 carry the purple and white corporate livery.

707, 709, 713, 718, 720 and 724 retain expired all-over adverts.

All bar 700 and 711 are now withdrawn from service - all of those bar 720 are withdrawn as they have not been 'docked' - that is, prepared for service. 720 is withdrawn due to damage to the doors during a depot shunt.

700 is operational and has run this year solely on heritage tours.

711 has been on-loan to the National Tramway Museum at Crich this year, with permission from the DfT, and is set to remain there until the end of October.

As it stands, there are no plans to used the widened Balloons on 'specials' - only a limited number of drivers are trained on the cars, and there are also spare Flexity cars available which are far more operationally flexible than the widened Balloons.

It's pretty unlikely that they will ever operate in service in Blackpool again.

 

[theblackwatch]

Thanks BestWestern. I am aware of this as this was going on when I last went there about 4 years ago as I think 707 and 709 have also been rebuilt with new fronts etc.

I will also be taking into account the heritage tram moves.

However I am looking for information on the new trams and how many may be out and about during the day.

Normally 11 of the 'new' trams out each day according to one of the Blackpool regulars (my dad!). Only heritage you'll get at the moment is on the illuminations specials.

 

[HA25322]

I must admit that it would be nice if there are in fact 11 new out so any help on this would be gratefully received.
Not really bothered about the heritage as none are required. However I may be tempted to do a lights tour.

 

[Howardh]

Last night I travelled on one of the shiny new units. Smooth, quiet, informative...can't complain!

Er, yes I can..I wanted one of the old grenandcream draughty, uncomfortable double-deckers built before when my Dad was born to remind him of his glory years!

But he enjoyed his tram trip anyway, and for a day ticket of £4.50 he wasn't for grumbling!

 

[Kite159]

From my little trip to Blackpool yesterday, the Blackpool trams have more comfy seats than the Edinburgh trams. £4.50 is good value for money for a day ticket (including buses).

Felt odd boarding a tram where you didn't have to buy the ticket in advance (and also a tram with request stops)

 

[button_boxer]

Felt odd boarding a tram where you didn't have to buy the ticket in advance (and also a tram with request stops)

You've never been to Sheffield then - we're the same on both counts, buy tickets from the conductor and all stops are by request (except the termini, obviously).

 

[edwin_m]

Nottingham tram also has request stops but no longer has conductors.

 

[Kite159]

You've never been to Sheffield then - we're the same on both counts, buy tickets from the conductor and all stops are by request (except the termini, obviously).

That be good to know, no need to figure out where to purchase the ticket from on Sunday when I'm in Sheffield on a Supertram bash

 

[button_boxer]

That be good to know, no need to figure out where to purchase the ticket from on Sunday when I'm in Sheffield on a Supertram bash

The usual Supertram day ticket (valid on Stagecoach buses as well as trams) is £4, so I'd normally say get a PlusBus (£3.80, valid on all bus operators plus the tram) if you're arriving in Sheffield by train.

However Supertram are running a temporary special offer at the moment of a tram-only dayrider at £3, so if you're only bashing trams then that's the cheapest option until 12th October.

Edit: unless you have a railcard of course, in which case the PlusBus is only £2.50.

 

[Kite159]

The usual Supertram day ticket (valid on Stagecoach buses as well as trams) is £4, so I'd normally say get a PlusBus (£3.80, valid on all bus operators plus the tram) if you're arriving in Sheffield by train.

However Supertram are running a temporary special offer at the moment of a tram-only dayrider at £3, so if you're only bashing trams then that's the cheapest option until 12th October.

Edit: unless you have a railcard of course, in which case the PlusBus is only £2.50.

£3 tram only ticket is was the option I picked. Sadly my railcard doesn't extend to sheffield, cuts out after Bedford

 

[BestWestern]

I can't help with details of the Flexity trams (yet - I'll see what I can get!), but just want to clarify the situation with the modified Balloon cars.

700, 707, 709, 711, 713, 718, 719, 720 and 724 were all modified to provide level boarding.

700, 711 and 719 carry the purple and white corporate livery.

707, 709, 713, 718, 720 and 724 retain expired all-over adverts.

All bar 700 and 711 are now withdrawn from service - all of those bar 720 are withdrawn as they have not been 'docked' - that is, prepared for service. 720 is withdrawn due to damage to the doors during a depot shunt.

700 is operational and has run this year solely on heritage tours.

711 has been on-loan to the National Tramway Museum at Crich this year, with permission from the DfT, and is set to remain there until the end of October.

As it stands, there are no plans to used the widened Balloons on 'specials' - only a limited number of drivers are trained on the cars, and there are also spare Flexity cars available which are far more operationally flexible than the widened Balloons.

It's pretty unlikely that they will ever operate in service in Blackpool again.

For real? So the project and associated expense of carrying out the conversions was a total waste of time? Wow, what an operation!

 

[Chrism20]

For real? So the project and associated expense of carrying out the conversions was a total waste of time? Wow, what an operation!

To my knowledge the balloons have been scrambled from Rigby Road only once since the flexity's were introduced. That was when an accident IIRC occurred between Rigby Rd and Starr Gate blocking the line. I'd have thought it would have been a good idea to keep a couple of new trams on standby at Rigby Rd and swap them every few days but I suppose that defeats the idea of all the new depot etc.

It's a shame they don't get a better run out in the summer when the town is busy as they are popular but as the head of Blackpool Transport said a few years ago "We are not running a museum". Seems a bit harsh but I suppose they are actually trying to promote it to locals for commuting etc plus the idea is to extend it to the station.

 

[WatcherZero]

I thought the B fleet were used quite heavily initially though havent been used this year. Its a shame as they did modify most of them, I guess they proved too much trouble to intermingle in service with the A fleet? How much of the C fleet has been out on special tours?

 

[Busaholic]

To my knowledge the balloons have been scrambled from Rigby Road only once since the flexity's were introduced. That was when an accident IIRC occurred between Rigby Rd and Starr Gate blocking the line. I'd have thought it would have been a good idea to keep a couple of new trams on standby at Rigby Rd and swap them every few days but I suppose that defeats the idea of all the new depot etc.

It's a shame they don't get a better run out in the summer when the town is busy as they are popular but as the head of Blackpool Transport said a few years ago "We are not running a museum". Seems a bit harsh but I suppose they are actually trying to promote it to locals for commuting etc plus the idea is to extend it to the station.

Given that concessionary pass use is restricted to locals I think Blackpool Transport are missing a trick by not using some 'museum trams' in public service as extras. Many holidaymakers would make a bee-line for one and the fares should more than cover costs.

 

[BestWestern]

Given that concessionary pass use is restricted to locals I think Blackpool Transport are missing a trick by not using some 'museum trams' in public service as extras. Many holidaymakers would make a bee-line for one and the fares should more than cover costs.

Exactly. There seems to have been a complete brainwashing of the top brass at BT, who since having a new trainset to play with appear to have adopted a deep hatred of the existing fleet and seem incredibly keen to wash their hands entirely. It is a shame, as there is surely a market for the heritage fleet in wider use than what is currently available, which I understand is a poor offering for several reasons. Much seems to have been implied to the effect that the old trams are incompatible with the system in any sort of regular use, which is clearly rubbish. It's a shame indeed, the proper Blackpool tramway was a truly unique attraction.

 

[Chrism20]

Exactly. There seems to have been a complete brainwashing of the top brass at BT, who since having a new trainset to play with appear to have adopted a deep hatred of the existing fleet and seem incredibly keen to wash their hands entirely. It is a shame, as there is surely a market for the heritage fleet in wider use than what is currently available, which I understand is a poor offering for several reasons. Much seems to have been implied to the effect that the old trams are incompatible with the system in any sort of regular use, which is clearly rubbish. It's a shame indeed, the proper Blackpool tramway was a truly unique attraction.

I agree and I will probably be shot down for saying this but I'd actually now rather see the entire heritage fleet given to Beamish or Crich at least they would be used/seen.

Trams are a huge part of Blackpool it amazes me why they haven't turned Rigby Rd into a museum and charge a tenner a pop with a run to the tower or North Pier at the end to take you back into town. Visitors to the town would go to something like that.

Of course one also has to bear in mind that Blackpool Transport do not run a tramway anymore - it's Light Rail!

 

[WatcherZero]

When the new Starr Gate depot was being built the council did make provisional plans for building a museum annex to it but they didn't have the cash, nowadays they are even more cash strapped.

 

[BestWestern]

When the new Starr Gate depot was being built the council did make provisional plans for building a museum annex to it but they didn't have the cash, nowadays they are even more cash strapped.

Yet so much money was spent on the whole project in the first place... The irony lol!