I would'nt consider the Metrolink to be a complete mess mind, It is well used and gives a reasonable frequent service and has increased frequencies between Victoria and Bury....like with all metro systems they could do things better. Not quite a tram, but if you want to see a complete mess just look to the Tyne & Wear Metro since the Sunderland extension............

its a great shame to see the old trams go to any extent i love the fast bit off road out to fleetwood
has the council done surveys as to the usage by locals as aposed to tourists

i have always thought of the trams as a tourist attraction rather like a heritage railway

I hate progress

I live in Blackpool and I can't believe that our Living Museum is going.
Yes they are keeping a handful of heritage trams.
They are building a huge new shed on the Promenade for the 16 new trams. There will be room for only a few old trams.
The old tram depot should become the major museum in GB , so most of the old trams could stay in Blackpool, and still be available for work. It would be a major tourist attraction.
The trams are already being disposed of to museums, farm parks etc.

Picture of the new shed.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...l/DSC00596.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...l/DSC00605.jpg

I feel the same way as you do Darkrider. Although I'm not a sandshifter by birth I do like this town, and I think it will be the poorer for this decision.
mickey

Those of you who download Railway Herald may have spotted an advert for a tram magazine, also a free download, and well worth a look as it contains a lot of pics and info about the Blackpool system. It's at http://www.railway herald.org to sign up. Or http://www.tramways-monthly.com if you only want that one.

Regards, 62440.

Smashing!
Thanks for that.
mickey

Good picys!!

in reply to Deathbyteacup, there is a benefit to those who are in the Cleveleys and Thornton Gate area. Trams are every 10 minutes to Blackpool - which makes it a quicker method than bus - and every 20 minutes to Fleetwood.

Not all the Balloons have been sold. At present there are several working Balloon cars on the promenade.

There are nine confirmed sales. The first four have been sold to Heaton Park in Manchester. Balloons 702 and 704 (neither of which have made a big contribution to service in the last few years), Railcoach 680 - though operates as a stand alone was intended to haul a trailing car and Railcoach 623; still wearing wartime livery.

Another five units 708, 710, 716, 721 and 726. One or two of these could go to Birkenhead.

I 'think' some of the centenary trams are also to leave the resort. There was a rumor 648 was up for grabs and has been sold. This yet, cannot be confirmed either.

heyy everyone how are you

i have just got back from blackpool a week a go and i have fund out a few things you might be intrested in:-

track widening
balloon trams are going very quick.
new ones are not coming untill 2012.
all twin cars are staying .
all centenery cars are staying.
not many trams in operation.
crap service .
fleetwood shut from ash street .
some trams are not allowed north of bispham because they have got no transponders.
tramway is going around the front of the hotel at north peir instead of back.
some one cuts down over heads from cleveleys to fleetwood ferry
trams just reopened to ash street
cant go past ash street tramway dug up for widening
starr gate closed
all trams turn around at pleasure beach
cenenery cars causeing problems like pantograph colapse


the list goes on

some lovely pictures

some of the ballons in those pictures have gone all ready