Preston Light Railway/Tramway

[Preston Pilot]

Does anyone have any up to date information on the Preston Light Railway/Tramway system to be built on the trackbed of the old Preston-Longridge railway? It was all over the local media a couple of years ago but now appears to have gone quiet.

 

[WatcherZero]

They were supposed to have finished the trial line by Christmas 2010 but last I heard ~Jan 2011 they still hadnt signed a deal to lease the track from Network Rail.

 

[vectra33]

I think its just a dream to be honest,Trampower who are now behind it are great at recruiting people to sing the praises,but it really doesnt have any commercial merit.

The latest "opening date " is spring 2012,

There is supposed to be a demo track being built by the retail park on Blackpool road,to open this summer.


They have a website for more info and a lot of photoshopped Images!

http://www.prestontrampower.co.uk/

Dave

 

[umontu]

Is it the retail park by the docks as in Makro and Morrisons?

 

[vectra33]

Is it the retail park by the docks as in Makro and Morrisons?

No mate
Its the other side of Preston,theres PcWorld/currys on one side then the deepdale retail park (Argos Boots M and S) on the other side,
Close to the VW and Vauxhall dealers as well.

The demo line will run between the two retail sites,going under Blackpool road by the fire station

dave

 

[umontu]

No mate
Its the other side of Preston,theres PcWorld/currys on one side then the deepdale retail park (Argos Boots M and S) on the other side,
Close to the VW and Vauxhall dealers as well.

The demo line will run between the two retail sites,going under Blackpool road by the fire station

dave

Ah I know where now, cheers.
Definately going to check that out.

 

[Preston Pilot]

Thanks all for the information. I took a look at the website. Interesting how the proposers intend to get over, or rather under the M6. The original bridge over the motorway went several years ago when the carriageway was increased to 8 lanes, and was replaced by a footbridge. I see they are going to turn 90deg when they meet the M6 and then utilise and under pass to bring the line up to the park and ride. Will it take off? I'm sceptical, but the Blackpool Road retail park is very popular and the tramway would give a direct link from the town cente. Interesting ... but ...

 

[umontu]

Having read the information this group has put about I'm sceptical.
Bare in mind these are the same people who produced the tram that "Burst into flames" on the Blackpool tram line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citytram

Let's hope they've improved and let's hope they've got away from that Optare Metrorider look.

Question, would a low floor tram be a good idea in Preston? I think a high floor system would be better, say if they want to expand in the future and have to use rail lines. (I know that is a long long way off.)

 

[WatcherZero]

I think its a bit irrelevent really, their proposing to use disused rail allignments with no former stations or other rail lines in the area which could be easily converted. Therefore street running is its future and low floor better. They have talked about running tram-trains to Blackpool and connecting the two tramways but that would be distant future and its tramways are low floor anyway.

 

[PR1Berske]

Interesting that when I started a thread on this, quite a few new posters magically appeared to tell us all how wonderful and workable the scheme was going to be.

Their absence speaks volumes.