Blackpool Trams – Are we about to see the end of heritage trams in service?

Blackpool Trams – Are we about to see the end of the heritage trams in service?

A Fatal Accident Inquiry has launched in Scotland over the tragic accident at Carmont in 2020.

And Standedge Tunnel repairs are completed after a fire caused significant damage.

** Link to Strathwood’s 3 for 2 offer ** https://strathwood.co.uk/

In this episode:
00:00 Intro
00:35 Blackpool Trams
26:20 Carmont Fatal Accident Investigation
31:53 Standedge Tunnel fire
42:23 LNER Peterborough vs Newark stop
48:31 Thanks to Supporters
50:27 Railway News Round-up
50:31 LNWR and WMR transfer to DfTO
52:00 GWR battery train in service
53:22 Devon and Cornwall still suffering following storms
54:07 LNER unveils Serenza Class 897
55:49 Primrose Hill former station fire
56:34 East Midlands Railway Class 222 Meridian issues
1:00:15 Dorking line landslip
01:01:30 The Quiz
01:04:31 Northern Trains to run on Weardale Railway

Blackpool Council statement re Blackpool trams

A spokesperson for Blackpool Council said: “The workshop buildings comprising the fitting shop, body shop, paint shop and stores are in a very dilapidated state. It has been planned for some time that these should be demolished to make way for electric bus charging points.

“There is a Tramtown Business Plan which seeks to use the Tram Depot (which was built to house 120 trams) – a third for a visitor centre, a third for storing trams, and a third to house the engineering section and the Blackpool Transport archives. This plan does not include any use of the workshop buildings – demolition of these would not hinder the Tramtown Business Plan being taken forward. The planned engineering section is much larger than the current fitting shop and will be perfectly adequate for maintenance and restoration of the heritage and illuminated trams.

“We have worked with our architect and are satisfied that all the engineering equipment can be relocated to the proposed facility. However, much of the machinery does not meet modern safety standards and there is also a good deal of duplication, as at one time the workshops were used to maintain up to 120 trams. We are no longer required to put out that number of trams – typically there would be around 10 trams available for service, including the three illuminated trams. However, there will be items of historic interest retained, in particular the forge which will be rebuilt with modern ventilation facilities, within the new workshop.

“Currently there is an impressive exhibition in the fitting shop, within the workshop buildings, which has been put together by the team of Tramtown volunteers. The temporary use of this space was only possible as, due to financial reasons, the Heritage Engineering staff were all made redundant or redeployed so there was no engineering work taking place. It should be noted that this building had to be inspected each day to ensure that it was still safe to admit the public. Items to be checked included inspecting the roof to ensure no panels had come off and that there was no water ingress which could not be cleared.  There have been a number of occasions when this facility has remained closed, either due to storms or excessive water ingress. Sadly, only last week there was water ingress to the electrical facility which has caused a major fault and resulted in the temporary closure of the fitting shop.

“The cost to repair and updates to electrical supply, including asbestos removal, is initially estimated at around £50,000. Costs to retain the fitting shop and effect repairs to the roof and walls including the brick gable, which is developing serious cracking, would probably be in the region of £3-4 million.

“The current debate is around whether it is worth spending any further money on the fitting shop or if it is best to move on to the plans outlined in the Tramtown Business Plan and start on the engineering facility proposed for the Tram Depot itself.

“The Blackpool Transport Board have recently approved the Terms of Reference for a Tramtown Steering and Finance Steering Group. This will be implemented shortly and all members of the group will be issued with the Terms of Reference. There is a representative of the Tramtown Volunteers on that group.

“We appreciate the strength of feeling about our heritage trams and Tramtown, and understand how our heritage trams are a huge part of Blackpool’s tourism appeal and cultural heritage. We want to be very clear that none of this discussion is about the heritage trams and there are no plans to get rid of them.”