Blackpool Tramway Engineering Work

[umontu]

Just been down to the prom cycling and got some pictures on my phone, thought it may interest some.

Anyone know what this is for? The box around the track is drains.

Those are the yellow and purple bikes that keep popping up btw, first time I've seen any used.

Accessibility is clearly on their minds.

Anyone else think these signs are a bit, well, dull?

Extension to Talbot Road?

Fully completed stop at the Cabin! Minus signage etc. Note the difference between the stop at Waterloo road, Tarmac and brick is being used past North Pier.

Completed stop at the Cabin. The old trams are not flush with the platform as can be seen here.

The segregated section is almost exactly the same as it used to be, except the stops.

By this point I was bored of every stop looking the exact same, in each area. Anyone think the platform will look right with the building?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Nice to see that Bispham Station has retained that distinctive building.

You have sent a good selection of views and I like the perforated tram image in the metal sheet. The picture of the double-decker tram at the new station at Cabin shows how near the trams come to the new platforms.

The modern depot looks very impressive indeed.

 

[umontu]

Nice to see that Bispham Station has retained that distinctive building.

You have sent a good selection of views and I like the perforated tram image in the metal sheet. The picture of the double-decker tram at the new station at Cabin shows how near the trams come to the new platforms.

The modern depot looks very impressive indeed.

Agreed, the station should keep the character it had.

Thank you. I'm wanting the new ones to be as close as the metrolink's are to their platforms.

And again it certainly does. Looks really open and welcoming.

 

[northwichcat]

What about the 'special stop' they use at North Pier for the Illuminations Tram? Will that get a new platform?

 

[umontu]

What about the 'special stop' they use at North Pier for the Illuminations Tram? Will that get a new platform?

There is a platform south of the road crossing to the metropole hotel, this can be seen in the picture with the start of the talbot road junction.
There are no other platforms there.
However there were fences going up around the three track section.

Though I'd add a picture of the newly segregated area of track.

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

It is so good to see what was once deemed 'the black spot' is now a safe route, this being the section of track that runs by the side of the Metropole Hotel. For years there were lots of 'near miss' incidents involving trams and road vehicles. Now they have seperated the road and rails, things should go ALOT more smoothly - for the trams at least!

 

[kylemore]

Not been on a Blackpool tram for years, looking forward to a visit, the infrastructure looks most impressive, you'd almost think you were in a modern European country or somewhere!

 

[Whistler40145]

Does anyone know why the Crossover was removed at Cleveleys, but the Overhead wires are still in situ?

 

[umontu]

Does anyone know why the Crossover was removed at Cleveleys, but the Overhead wires are still in situ?

At a guess I'd say that the work on the overhead wires around that section hasn't started. Can't imagine the logic behind removing the cross over though.

 

[John Webb]

Re the short bit of track in the first photo - could this be for loading/unloading bogies to/from road transport that are to be worked on or have been worked on elsewhere?

 

[umontu]

Re the short bit of track in the first photo - could this be for loading/unloading bogies to/from road transport that are to be worked on or have been worked on elsewhere?

I guess so. I thought it maybe to allow trams to be loaded on to the track but the fence is too close for a lorry to fit in that gap.

 

[Whistler40145]

Regarding the removal of Cleveleys crossover. The new track is complete & tarmac put down, brand new wires installed.

 

[Whistler40145]

Since my last post, the crossover has been moved nearer to Fleetwood & also looks like the OHLE is being modified.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Think everything but two questions have been answered in here, so I will do my best to help!

*North Pier - This will be getting two platforms which will be used by the supertrams - one north bound and one south bound. The trams used for the Illuminations tours are not compatible with the new platforms and so will continue to load at their own stop, probably on the new passing loop, which will be at floor level. This is still to be confirmed however and we probably won't know for certain until next year when the platforms come into use.
*Platforms - all of the stops will be level and gapless boarding to the new flexity trams and the retained Balloon trams. Any non-modified car will have a step and it is unlikely that these trams will stop at the platforms, instead using dedicated stops if on public service (Such as a North Pier tour point) or limited to loading at passing loops if on tours.

Hope this helps.

Jack

 

[Whistler40145]

A set of points was installed between Foxhall Square & Manchester Square, but don't connect to the loop, what are they for?

 

[WatcherZero]

They are there for a possible (unplanned and unfunded at moment) future extension to Blackpool North rail station I believe.

 

[bluegoblin7]

A set of points was installed between Foxhall Square & Manchester Square, but don't connect to the loop, what are they for?

The points were installed back in 2008 whilst the area around Foxhall was being constructed with a view to providing access to the then-proposed Blundell Street Supertram depot from the south (so that trams would not have to reverse at Foxhall, as is current practice), supplementing the double track junction at Manchester Square and existing single track junction at Foxhall onto Princess Street, which would have been renewed.

Sadly(?), this depot never materialised for a number of reasons and we now have one placed at Starr Gate instead. The points will, therefore, likely remain in situ, doing nothing, along with the other multitude of pointwork in the Foxhall area!, until the track is next relaid in many years time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They are there for a possible (unplanned and unfunded at moment) future extension to Blackpool North rail station I believe.

Sort of correct! These, I don't think, are the points being referred to between Manchester Sq and Foxhall, but rather the new double track points put in in the North Pier/Talbot Square for the proposed extension to Blackpool North. The points were funded by the current upgrade proposal but the extension was not. It remains to be seen if this triangular junction will ever come into use or just become another white elephant of the system like those at Foxhall...

Jack