Blackpool Trams: The Marton Experiment

[rogerfarnworth]

The 'Modern Tramway' reported in January & February 1963 on a relatively short-lived experiment on Blackpool's trams. The Marton route was an inland route through Blackpool which complemented the promenade route.

The two articles were written by F.K. Pearson who suggested that his articles could perhaps have been entitled, 'The Experiment That Didn't Quite ...'

‘Modern Tramway’ – Blackpool: The Marton Experiment …

The ‘Modern Tramway’ reported in January & February 1963 on a relatively short lived experiment on Blackpool’s trams. The Marton route was an inland route through Blackpool wh…

rogerfarnworth.com

The Marton Route opened in 1901 but by 1938 it was approaching the end of it's useful life, needing relaying and requiring a new fleet of 15 trams. A decision to undertake the work was deferred by Blackpool Town Council. War intervened and the existing trackwork was patched up to last a few more years."By the time relaying could be considered again, technical progress had rendered the 1938 plan out of date, and the Marton route was chosen for one of Britain's most interesting public transport experiments, the only attempt ever made to provide a tram service which by its sheer frequency, comfort and riding qualities could compete not just with the bus but with its future competitor, the private car."

 

[davehsug]

Thanks for posting that. Very interesting seeing the views of the time, even if a lot of the inormation is known to Blackpool enthusiasts.
I've always wondered if I rode the Marton, North Station or Lytham road routes as a very young child, I would have been 5 when they closed, but have no memory of having done so. I assume I probably rode the Dickson Road route, as we stayed in a boarding house very near to North Station and it would have been the easiest way to travel to Fleetwood.

 

[AndrewE]

Yes, interesting. But can

All four axles were motored, giving a possible initial acceleration rate of 35 mph. per second,

really be true? 70 mph after 2 seconds? I suppose that if you had a big flywheel and a dog clutch then a very fast initial acceleration could be achieved, but you wouldn't go anywhere after the second or third second!
Sounds like a recipe for broken necks to me...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, interesting. But can

really be true? 70 mph after 2 seconds? I suppose that if you had a big flywheel and a dog clutch then a very fast initial acceleration could be achieved, but you wouldn't go anywhere after the second or third second!
Sounds like a recipe for broken necks to me...

I suspect there's a missing decimal point and it might be 3.5 mph / second?

 

[rogerfarnworth]

I think you are right. The error is mine rather than Pearson's. Thank you for noticing! And for taking the trouble to alert me to the error!

The correction has been made.

 

[Merioneth]

The 'Modern Tramway' reported in January & February 1963 on a relatively short-lived experiment on Blackpool's trams. The Marton route was an inland route through Blackpool which complemented the promenade route.

The two articles were written by F.K. Pearson who suggested that his articles could perhaps have been entitled, 'The Experiment That Didn't Quite ...'

‘Modern Tramway’ – Blackpool: The Marton Experiment …

The ‘Modern Tramway’ reported in January & February 1963 on a relatively short lived experiment on Blackpool’s trams. The Marton route was an inland route through Blackpool wh…

rogerfarnworth.com

Thank you for posting this.