Blackpool tramway facts for kids
Double-deck Balloon trams 700 (green) and 720 (black) at Bispham
|
|
| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Blackpool, England |
| Open | 1885 |
| Status | Open |
| Lines | 1 |
| Routes |
|
| Owner(s) | Blackpool Council |
| Operator(s) | Blackpool Transport |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 600V Overhead lines |
| Stock |
|
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 11 mi (17.7 km) |
| Stops | 38 |
| Passengers (2016/2017) | 5.1 million 3.9% |
| Website | [ ] |
The Blackpool tramway is a special railway system that uses electric trams. It runs along the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, connecting Blackpool to Fleetwood.
This tramway first opened in 1885. It is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is also the only one of the very first electric tramways in the United Kingdom that is still running today!
The tramway is owned by Blackpool Council. It is operated by Blackpool Transport, which is part of the Metro Coastlines network. The tramway is about 11 miles (18 km) long. Each year, over 5 million people ride on it.
Contents
History of the Blackpool Tramway
The first part of the Blackpool tramway opened on September 29, 1885. This early line used a special "conduit" system. This meant the electricity came from cables hidden underground. It ran along the Blackpool Promenade. This was one of the first working electric tramways ever built.
The Blackpool Electric Tramway Company ran the line until 1892. After that, the local council, Blackpool Corporation, took over. More lines were added over the years. In 1895, a line was built to South Shore. By 1897, it reached South Pier.
In 1899, the tramway changed from the underground conduit system to overhead wires. This is the system you usually see today. The lines kept growing. By 1900, the tramway connected with the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad. New routes opened, like the Marton loop in 1901 and a line to Layton in 1902. By 1903, the promenade line reached the Pleasure Beach.
In 1920, Blackpool Corporation took over the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad Company. This added eight more miles of track and three depots to the system. The last big extension was built in 1926. It went along the promenade to Starr Gate.
However, some routes started to close down later. The Central Drive and Layton routes closed in 1936. The Lytham Road line closed in 1961, and Marton in 1962. By 1966, only the main line from Starr Gate to Fleetwood was left. This is the line that still runs today. In 1986, Blackpool Transport Services Limited took over running the trams and buses.
How the Tramway Works Today
Today, the Blackpool tramway runs from Starr Gate in Blackpool all the way to the Ferry Terminus in Fleetwood. Most of the journey is along the beautiful Fylde Coast seafront. When it reaches Cleveleys, the line turns inland for a short distance. Then it returns to the coast in Fleetwood.
The tramway uses different types of tracks:
- Street running: This is where the trams share the road with cars, like on Lord Street in Fleetwood.
- Paved reserved track: This track runs next to a road. People can walk on it, but cars cannot. You can see this along most of the route between Starr Gate and Gynn Square.
- Reserved ballasted track: This track is only for trams. It's like a mini-railway line. You can find this from Gynn Square to Rossall.
- Interurban style alignment: This is a special type of track that doesn't follow a road. It's just for trams and runs between Rossall and Radcliffe Road in Fleetwood.
There are four places where trams can turn around, called "turning loops." These are at Starr Gate, opposite the Pleasure Beach, Little Bispham, and Fleetwood. There's also a loop that connects to the main tram depot at Rigby Road.
Trams in Blackpool
Blackpool uses a mix of double-deck (two-story) and single-deck trams. The double-deck trams are very popular during the tourist season. Single-deck trams are used more when it's not as busy. They can also be used to carry more passengers when needed.
For many years, Blackpool was the only town in the UK that still had its original tram system running. Other cities like Sheffield and Glasgow had closed their tramways. But since the Manchester Metrolink opened in 1992, trams have started to return to many British towns and cities.
The Blackpool tram fleet has many different types of trams. Many of them were built in the 1930s. Some of these old trams are still used today, looking much like they did when they were new. Others have been updated. Sometimes, historic trams are borrowed from places like the National Tramway Museum for special events.
Trams run all the way from Starr Gate in the south to Fleetwood in the north. During busy times, like the Blackpool Illuminations or on bank holidays, some trams might stop earlier at Cleveleys, Bispham, or the Pleasure Beach. This helps more trams run through the busy centre of Blackpool.
During the Illuminations, some trams are specially decorated with lights. These "illuminated trams" carry passengers along the promenade to see the amazing light displays.
In November 2007, the entire tramway closed for five months. This was for a big upgrade project. Blackpool Transport Services and Blackpool Council have also worked together to get funding for even bigger upgrades to the trams and tracks.
There have been talks about expanding the tram network even further. Plans have been discussed to extend the lines to St Annes in the south and to new housing areas in Fleetwood. There could even be future links to Poulton-le-Fylde and Thornton.
Images for kids
-
Bombardier Flexity 2, built in 2012. Blackpool Transport car No. 015 at Fisherman's Walk, Fleetwood
-
Rigby Road Depot, built in 1935
-
Starr Gate Depot, built in 2011
-
Corporation Tramways building, Blackpool
-
The first tram tracks are installed on Talbot Road, July 2018.
-
Headstone from Bispham depot now at Crich
-
A pre-upgrade tram-stop located on the Promenade
-
Rigby Road Depot (engineering part)
-
Centenary class tram (Promenade)
-
Double-decker Jubilee class tram (Promenade)
-
Illuminated tram No. 736 "HMS Blackpool" at Fleetwood
-
Balloon tram passing the Norbreck Castle Hotel
-
Flexity 2 type tram No. 011 at Burlington Road West tram stop
.JPG)
