Tramtown, Blackpool

[Skymonster]

Just a quick shout out for the twice-weekly Rigby Road (now dubbed Tramtown) depot tours being run by Heritage Trams in Blackpool.

I snagged a Derby-Leeds-Blackpool-Leeds-Derby trip for £6.00 all in during the Rail Sale, and having also managed to get a very cheap Travelodge room near the Pleasure Beach I decided to book on the Tramtown depot tour.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating visit, adeptly and informatively guided by “Bolton Bob” and Carol, and I recommend anyone in the area to book - its not expensive, and the income contributes to the urgently needed roof repairs. Visits pass through all areas including the paint, electrical and restoration shops as well as the main depot shed. I believe there are more than 50 trams on site, some of which haven’t run for many years but are totally unique, meaning the tour is the best oportunity to see some of them at present. In the future, it’s hoped the site will become a working museum supporting both the operation and restoration of the collection, but as always this is subject to funding.

Above: the two-car tram train and Balloon 711 in regular Blackpool Trams livery


Above: Balloon 717


above: 143, the latest restoration that’s now out on test


Above: Bolton Corporation 66 and several other operation vehicles in the heritage fleet that are regularly out and about on public coastal and promenade tours


Above: Withdrawn Balloon advertising Houndshill Shopping Centre

Above: withdrawn Balloon promoting HM Coastguard and looking a bit sorry


Above: more vehicles in the main shed


Above: 147 has temporarily donated some of its electricals to enable testing of 143, but will be back out again in the future


Above: 754 is used for overhead line repair and has a diesel engine


Above: the only open top Balloon left is currently stored - the blue cover prevents rain coming through the roof damaging the tram

As I said, well worth a visit if you’re in the area an time - tours are limited to 16 so book in advance via the Heritage Teams website.

 

[Kite159]

Good way to raise extra revenue by giving tours of the heritage trams area

 

[Skymonster]

Good way to raise extra revenue by giving tours of the heritage trams area

Yep, the tour only costs £6.00 - as every part of the site is covered it’s a good way of “ticking off” the entire heritage fleet, amd the trip round is also very interesting with the guides being very informative and willing to ensure participants get to see what they want. The normal trams are based at Star Gate at the south of the line, and Rigby Road near the central pier is only used for the heritage operation.