Blackpool

Back in 1985, the new single decker 641 had not been around for long, so I was very interested. A new tram in the UK was a distinct rarity in those days. East Lancs bodied 641 is seen loading at Talbot Square on a southbound service, despite the destination display, with a fine collection of double deckers in the background.

Also at Talbot Square is 1982 built double decker 762 with a very angular body, typical of the buses of the time.

And 680 of 1935 vintage is also at Talbot Square, this time with a tower wagon behind it as well as a Balloon Car.

On the Pleasure Beach turning circle is seen 633, one of the 1937 Brush railcoaches. I am not a great fan of all over advertising, but record for posterity when I get chance. This one is for  film, of which I have used much over the years.

And nearby is 716 on it's way to the other end of the line. It is not difficult to see why these cars are known as Balloons.

Also on the Pleasure Beach loop is another balloon, 722

On the Promenade and operating a short working to Tower only is 761, the other (then) new double decker tram.

Trams from other systems were being used in 1985 as part of the celebrations. One such was Bolton 66, originally built as an open topper in 1901, seen on the Promenade.

Another vistor was Glasgow Corporation 1297, one of the Cunarder class of  1948.

And another was Sheffield "Roberts" car 513, which operated for only 8 years in that City. The trolley pole looks a bit wonky!

Sheffield 513 again, this time on the Pleasure Beach turning circle. The visiting tram I failed to photograph was Edinburgh 35. Most annoyed about that at the time (and still am)

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7th September 1989

Blackpool 619 is one of the 1937 railcoaches fuitted with a toastrack type body. It is seen at Talbot Square heading for Cleveleys, with 642 in the background.

By 1989 there were 7 modern single deckers, numbered 641 - 647. 642 is seen heading north at Talbot Square.

One of the modern East Lancs bodied single deckers, 646, seen in Fleetwood

1979 built double decker 761 on Pleasure Beach turning circle.

The other new double decker, 1982 built 762 on the Promenade.

Another view of Bolton Corporation 66 at Pleasure Beach

One of the "Balloon" cars, 726, on the Promenade.

Dreadnought 59 dating from 1902 was operating in 1989 and was photographed at Pleasure Beach.

One man car 8 is on the Pleasure Beach turning circle

"Balloon" car 701 is seen on the Promenade.

Also on the Promenade is 660, the only remaining car of the "Coronation" class of 1952.

Blackpool and Fleetwood car 40 dates form the time when the service from Blackpool North Station to Fleetwood was operated by the Blackpool and Fleetwood company and not the corporation. In those days it wasn't sponsored by Fisherman's Friend, however.

Two fine veteran cars were seen side by side near the Tower. Blackpool and Fleetwood box car 40 of 1914 and Hill of Howth car 10 of 1902. Wonderful!








A shot of the Hill of Howth car on the Pleasure Beach turning circle.

25th August 1990

And so to 1990. This time my trip served teo purposes, as in addition to tram (and bus) watching I was going to a football match (Fleetwood Town v Witton Albion). First tram to be photographed was Railcoach 636 in a fine version of Blackpool livery, near Talbot Square.







Next up was similar car 634 in the then current livery.










Although the weather was a bit cool due to the sea mist, some of the "Boats" were out and about, shuttling between Talbot Square and Pleasure Beach. This one is 606, not doing a roaring trade.








The toastrack 619 was also out on this day, as seen here near Talbot Square.










Another of the mmodern single deckers on the through service to Fleetwood was 645.











Another "Boat" seen was 602, on the centre road at North Pier









Open-top double decker 706 at Cleveleys. I rode this tram from North Pier to Cleveleys, and it was bracing!










Next tram to Fleetwood was one of the 1935 cars rebuilt to run with the trailers, 678, in this instance running alone and wearing an all over advert for Auto Trader magazine.








Railcoach 627 of 1937 in Fleetwood.









Upon my return to Blackpool it was good to see some of the Progress Twin cars in use. First set seen was motor car 677 (modified in 1961 from a 1935 car) and trailer 687 (built in 1961) at North Pier in the current Blackpool Transport livery.







Next up was the pair 672 and 682, heading south as the mist rolled in again.









I was so pleased at seeing the twin sets that I didn't bother photographing anything else! Next pairing was 674 and 684 heading south at Talbot Square.







And heading north were 671 and 681.









Last of the twin sets photographed on this day was the pairing of 675 and 685.

19th July 1998

19th July 1998 was Fleetwood Tram Sunday. Seen reversing at Fisherman's Walk is Blackpool & Fleetwood car 40









1928 vintage tram 167 at the Fleetwood terminus, with no 40 behind. A curse on that crane!










1901 built Blackpool 31, also at Fleetwood terminus.










The first of the rebodied double deckers I saw was 707. A somewhat striking contrast to the original bodywork.










Blackpool Railcoach 636 looking smart in the then current Blackpool livery and operating the regular service, terminating at Fisherman's Walk on this day.











My journey back to Blackpool was on 677, seen here at the rear of Progress Twin Car 687 and 677.










Unlike in 1990, many double deckers were seen in service. One such was 703, wearing a traditionally styled livery.










As a contrast, balloon car 720 is wearing the then current Blackpool livery.











Further down the Promenade was 701, also in the modern livery.











In a rather striking adverising livery is balloon car 721, seen on the Promenade, 19th July 1998











And another Balloon car seen was 724











I took a ride on open topper 31. Photographed from the top deck at Bispham is 630, in an advertising livery.














Close behind 31 was 634, wearing a particularly striking advertising livery.












Another view of Blackpool 31, this time in the turnback line at Bispham.

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01 July 2005

Not many photos form this visit, as my trusty 20 yrear old SLR camera decided to let me down. The only photos are a few taken by my partner, Stephen Mitchell, who spent most of his time using the video camera.

First tram seen was Balloon 700, looking resplendent in a traditional livery.

Wearing a more modern livery is 702.











Boat 604 was also in the modern Blackpool Transport livery.










723 was seen at north Pier in a rather dark advertising livery.











700 seen again, this time from the top deck of another car.

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7th November 2009

A last chance to see traditional trams on the streets of Fleetwood was the reason for this visit, as well as filming trams at night during the Illuminations period. In the event, the horrendous weather meant we gave up and went home at about 5 pm. Some (not fantastic, because of the rain) photos were taken and are presented below.


First tram seen was 630, in an all over advertising livery (as were many of the trams seen) near Manchester Square

Also at Manchester Square was 643, one of the Centenary cars, some of which seem to have undergone some odd bodywork modifications. The livery of this tram does nothing to enhance the appearance, either.









Balloon 711 emerging from Lytham Road onto the Promenade on a driving experience duty.











The first "Centenary" tram, 641, seen against a background of threatening clouds at Little Bispham










762 seen on Little Bispham loop, in a livery containing far too much Contravision stuff over the windows. I still tend to think of this tram (and 761) as modern, even though the bodywork is about thirty years old and the trucks came from Balloons dating from the thirties!







Balloon 717 in an immaculate heritage livery seen heading away from Little Bispham.











642 took us back into Blackpool. Here is another view ofit, with what looks like the largest pantograph tower in the world!








Centenary car 645 at Lord Street, Fleetwood.












Centenary car 642 at Lord Street, Fleetwood, with the weather deteriorating fast.










The main reason for the trip was to film a farewell to Fleetwood tour, somewhere on the street running section in Fleetwood. The terminal loop was chosen due to the weather, and the chance to photograph the tour cars stationary. First of the tour cars to appear (rather later than expected) was 623, in a heritage livery.








Next tour car was a surprise in the form of Sheffield 513, looking both beautiful and immaculate (despite no longer having the Last Tram decorations)










Third of the tour cars was Blackpool and Fleetwood 40, seen here after a long shunting procedure which caused quite a bit of congestion. 762, on the right, was on the regular service, with 630 behind, and the other tour cars were behind 40. The rain was best described as torrential at this point.










Another shot of 630. Protecting the camera (and myself) from the heavy rain took priority over lining up the shot by now, which is why the top of the pantograph was cut off.









The three tour cars lined up at Fleetwood










Sheffield 513 again, this time on Pharos Street in Fleetwood











And another shot of Blackpool 623, also on Pharos Street











Coming round the corner into Pharos Street is rebodied Balloon 707 in another garish livery. This tram took us to Bispham.









Having passed the tour trams en route, an opportunity to await them at Bispham was taken, so we got off 707 and photographed it again.










622 in an advertising livery approaching Bispham.












Also photographed at Bispham was 761, advertising a shoe shop.











Another rebodied Balloon seen at Bispham was 718.













Blackpool and Fleetwood 40 being reversed at Bispham in pouring rain.











Another view of 623, also in the rain at Bispham












As a result of the weather being so atrocious, the only illuminated tram photographed was the trawler, 737. It is seen here at Bispham. The Western train was also seen, but not photographed.










Balloon 717 at Bispham, looking beautiful in it's heritage livery. This car reversed at Bispham and took us to Manchester Square, at which point the decision to go home was made.