28.9.05
News update
Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lack of recent updates, this has been due to some computer problems.
I was in Blackpool for the Scottish September weekend on the Sunday and Monday. Here are my sightings
25.9.05
Fleetwood Service
700, 707, 709, 711, 713, 718, 719
723 replaced 707 on service in the afternoon.
Cleveleys Serivce
701, 712, 715, 720, 721
Specials
66, 147, 626, 630, 631, 641, 644, 646, 647, 660, 680, 710, 722, 726
Illuminations Tour
736
This was the first time I have been to Blackpool and seen and even been on 660, I must admit it is a brilliant car and well kept inside and out. I also saw Balloon 713 for the first time since it's overhaul and I think it looks no worse than any of the other modernised balloons.
713 seems to be quite elusive as it seemed to be in the 'wrong' place for me to get a photo of it. I always seemed to miss it. Never mind, always next time.
The only major complaint about this day was that all the specials seemed to dissapear by 9 pm apart from 647 which only ran between Pleasure Beach and Cabin. This meant that the trams were busy and running late on service and leaving people behind on the prom.
26.9.05
Fleetwood Service
700, 713, 718, 719, 723, 672+682, 674+684
Cleveleys Service
701, 710, 712, 721, 722
Specials
626, 631, 644, 646, 647
other news
600 returned to service during the summer
Heater fitted Brush Car 627 and Railcoach 679 are in line for a return to service during the
winter due to a shortage of availiable railcoaches to operate the Saturday only Cleveleys service
713 has returned to service in an all over white livery and is now the same shape as 701, 711, 719 and 723.
717 is the next balloon car to be overhauled
641 has taken over the Orion Bingo advert carried by 648 as the latter is now being overhauled. 648
will be restored to original condition (hopefully wihout all the breakdowns)
As there has been a large number of repaints in the fleet this year, I have listed them below
12.7.05
1.7.05
Trams 626 and 711 have returned to service following their recent repaints. 701 has been seen in the paint shop being repainted yellow for an all over advert. 722 has been moved to the paint shop and is currently receiving grey primer. 762 has been out on test in an all yellow base coat following a refurbishment.
22.6.05
The Blackpool Trams Yahoo Group reports that balloon 722 has been in the Fitting Shop for attention recently, meaning a possible return to service (in a limited capacity). It has also been reported that Brush 625 could be in line for a return to service.
21.6.05
news update
7.6.2005
sightings 700, 702, 703, 709, 710, 715, 718, 719, 720, 721, 723, 724, 726, 672+682
driver training 622, 623
Trams 622 and 623 have been used as Driver training trams
711 and 626 are in the paint shop for a repaint. I have uploaded a photo's page photo page
31.5.05
29.5.05
sightings 27.5.05
12.5.05
Mothballed tram 623 has seen use in service due to a shortage of single deckers. I was in Blackpool on Monday and Tuesday this week. Here are my sightings.
Monday
Tuesday
I took some photos, these will be posted soon.
26.4.05
Mothballed tram 622 has been returned to service. This is because the tram is carrying a valid advert for Glyngarry Windows. It has been out on specials and is expected remain in service for the rest of the year.
13.4.05
Latest news update
Service
From May till June the Starr Gate - Fleetwood is to be operated by railcoaches 678, 680, 626, 630, 631, trawler 633, and vintage trams such as 660, 147 and Fleetwood 40.
Trams
Balloon
Railcoaches
Millenium Cars
Jubilee cars
Centenary cars
Twin Cars
Boat Cars
all boat cars and Sheffield 513 have been added to the reserve pool meaning a chance of some use this year.
18.3.05
Latest News Update
6.3.05
Latest News Update
Millenium Tram 707 is in the paint shop receiving a white undercoat to allow it to receive an all over advert.
Last Sunday there was 4 trams used for a shuttle service on the Foxhall / Blundell Street Tracks. The 4 trams used were 66, 147, 700 and 678.
Also cars 700, 630 and 631 have been noted out and about on the tramway, it is not known whether they were on test or driver training.
Finally OMO 10 which is located at a Conference Centre in Reading is to be scrapped. However the LTT group are going to remove any parts that can be reused on the restoration of OMO8.
14.2.05
Latest news update
FTS have put in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funds to restore the Western Train to working order. Given the Historic Importance of this tram, it will be a restoration and not a rebuild.
762 is on course for a return to service at Easter with the tram now receiving most of it's exterior panelling.
Work is also progressing on 660 and 713 which should return to service soon (hopefully)
It looks like Balloon 708 has bitten the dust. It is reported that either 703 or 722 will be reinstated in its place.
11.1.05
Trackwork starts
The tramway is closed between Starr Gate and Tower until Easter, to allow track replacement between the Pleasure Beach and Manchester Square.
7.1.05
More News
636 is set to become a test tram to test new equipment.
OMO 10 to be scrapped
The Former OMO tram which is now at a Conference Centre in Reading is to be scrapped because the company no longer has a use for it and it is to big to leave the buildng so by the end of this month, it will be no more
6.1.05
Fleet news
Withdrawn Brush Car adverts transferred.
Trams Magazine reports that 4 adverts will be transferred from withdrawn Brush Cars to Double Deckers. The following cars are expected to receive all over adverts.