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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Mar 17, 2012 21:50:03 GMT 1
[quote author=driver6540 board=uk thread=3232 post=45964 time=1331508339 Well i for one, hope you thoroughly enjoy it, But at illumination time's the heritage tram fleet will run as well, So dont deny yourself a bash on the old "Balloon's", if you get the chance. Far more interesting than the new Flexicity's. As for the buses, all the ex-IOM Trident's will be in service, Plus hopefully some of the Lowlander's. The down side being, many of the "Classic" Olympian's will have been withdrawn by then.[/quote]
I do favour the idea of riding both types of tram if poss! I have done the Balloons on previous visits. Even if some Olympians have been withdrawn, it will be an interesting fleet. I gather Blackpool Transport bus fleet has more second-hand fleets than average.
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Post by driver6540 on Mar 17, 2012 22:32:39 GMT 1
Since 2001 BT has actually bought a considerable amount of new vehicles. Most of the 57 Solos were purchased new. Around 35 Tridents came new between 02-06. The 9 Centros were new in 2010. Prior to the start of the Metro Coastlines network in 2001, Most of the Excel's were purchased new, as were the Metrorider's and Atlanteans before them. Olympian's 368-73 (Leyland) and 374-79 (Volvo) were all bought new. The Mk1 Olympians, sadly now rapidly disappearing all came used, as did some Excel's. And the 5 ex-Anglian Eclipse's. It is only since the abolition of the Metro Coastlines network that the descision was taken to concentrate on used purchases. (Reason's for that, are in the above posts). At present the fleet stands at about 70% bought new. 30% bought used. How do those stats stack up against the national average?. Because i honestly haven't got a clue.
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Post by driver6540 on Mar 28, 2012 20:23:23 GMT 1
Pretty sure they were Lowlanders. No, they must have been the last of the remaining Tridents to enter service, as the first Lowlander didn't reach Blackburn until Mon/Tue's of this week.
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Post by lbaspotter on Mar 31, 2012 9:08:44 GMT 1
They better not replace all them old trams. If they did it would be bad as taking the routemaster out of London was.
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Post by northrob on Mar 31, 2012 12:59:31 GMT 1
If I remember correctly, the some of the old trams will be retained. They will either as part of the "Heritage Fleet" or used alongside the new trams doing short workings (a bit like the Routemasters in London). I'm sure that driver6540 will be able confirm whether this will be the case.
Does anyone know if journey times will be quickened up as a result of the overall upgrade of the tramway?
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Post by Burnside on Mar 31, 2012 18:24:43 GMT 1
I believe the new Flexity trams will be in charge of normal day to day operations, with the 'heritage' fleet used only during the summer/illuminations season between Pleasure Beach and, i think, Bispham.
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Post by driver6540 on Apr 1, 2012 20:55:25 GMT 1
I have to confess, I have not really paid that much attention to the tram situation recently. Instead preferring to concentrate on BT's bus scene, with all the recent coming's and going's. However from what i do know, Tim's post above is spot-on.
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Post by sconehead85 on Apr 1, 2012 23:25:01 GMT 1
Just out of interest Blackpool needs, in order to maintain a 15 year vehicle life 10 buses per year. However I think they are going for a 20 year life span which means seven or eight in alternate years.
Its possible two of the 368-373 batch of Leyland Olympians could survive the ex IOM influx, but even these reach 25 y.o in 2014.
Blackpool technically could be all LF bar route 20 and schools right now, however the arrival of the IOM DAFs should seal it.
sconehead85
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Post by timelesstable on Apr 4, 2012 9:37:04 GMT 1
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Post by timelesstable on Apr 4, 2012 9:39:36 GMT 1
Not the best start
New Blackpool tram derailed on first journey
The first of Blackpool's new trams to set off from Fleetwood after a £100m upgrade has come off the rails. Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, said the derailment took place at about 05:55 BST near the Fleetwood Ferry. The problem occurred one day after the tramway's official reopening and is affecting services around Fleetwood. A fleet of 16 computerised trams have replaced the heritage vehicles, which will continue to run for tourists. "Not a good start to the morning, the first tram out round Fleetwood Ferry has come off the rails," said Mr Roberts. He said staff were trying to restore the service using the re-railing kit but added "unfortunately the sand is being blown into the tracks as fast as we can clear it". The four-year upgrade saw 11km of track replaced and a new tram depot built. Its heritage fleet includes three trams which will be decked with coloured lights during the illuminations and an open top tram which Blackpool Football Club can use in the event of any soccer triumph. The new articulated trams, built by Bombardier in Germany, are 32m (105ft) long and split into five sections. They can accommodate up to 150 passengers and will travel across 11 miles of coastline. They have a more efficient acceleration rate than the previous trams and are expected to reduce some journey times by up to 15 minutes
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Post by driver6540 on Apr 4, 2012 22:33:56 GMT 1
Im told the new Flexicity's are identical to the one's Nottingham operate, Can anyone on this forum confirm or deny this?.
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Post by malcolm on Apr 5, 2012 19:41:16 GMT 1
Well if today's ride on one of the new trams was anything to go by probably quicker to walk from Starr Gate to Fleetwood what a fiasco. Had enough when we eventually got to Bispham got of and caught the bus back, the bus seats far more comfortable than the new trams.
The problem seems to be the distance they have to leave between the trams, at Bispham the driver apologized for the delay again and got off for a smoke.
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Jack
Forum Member
Posts: 1,244
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Post by Jack on Apr 5, 2012 20:07:15 GMT 1
Well if today's ride on one of the new trams was anything to go by probably quicker to walk from Starr Gate to Fleetwood what a fiasco. Had enough when we eventually got to Bispham got of and caught the bus back, the bus seats far more comfortable than the new trams. The problem seems to be the distance they have to leave between the trams, at Bispham the driver apologized for the delay again and got off for a smoke. Won't they be operating by line of sight? Plus how are they bunching on the current every 20 minute timetable!
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Post by malcolm on Apr 6, 2012 11:07:36 GMT 1
I was at Starr Gate for the 12:20pm tram as were many others no tram turned up, some of the enthusiasts went to ask the many members of staff what was happening nobody seemed to have any answers. Then a heritage tram a blue double decker pulled out of the depot with Fleetwood on it, it eventually came to pick up passengers and I got on it and went upstairs only to see a new one pass so I was off in a flash. As were other people.
Then police close the roads somebody said there had been an accident it turned out a new tram was being delivered came right past the tram stop on the truck but went and parked, looked like it was blocking the track but it wasn't.
The new tram came got my ticket at 13.00:21 we got to Bispham I got off quick choice return on new tram coming in or dash across the road to a waiting No1 bus, bus ticket time 13:52pm. It according to the timetable should take 29mins to Bispham and 50 mins to Fleetwood.
It seems the drivers cannot communicate with each other only with the depot. Still I will try again in a few weeks.
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Post by sconehead85 on Apr 6, 2012 19:53:01 GMT 1
Once the bugs are ironed out is there much point in Blackpool Transport continuing with Line 1? Given the £100 million spent on the new system it seems pointless having a bus service running virtually the same route as the trams. The trams can carry 150-200 passengers so is a duplicate bus service really necessary?
A competitor is unlikely to succeed against the Blackpool trams, and with older trams duplicating the main service Line 1 should only be retained as a tram replacement service in the event of emergencies.
The remaining 400 series Leyland Olympians could be pensioned off almost immediately. Unlike 368-373 these are not Blackpool heritage vehicles.
sconehead85
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Apr 6, 2012 22:25:22 GMT 1
They may move Line 1 back to being a summer only service like it was until fairly recently. I wouldn't trust the trams to be able to provide the only service along the coast during the busy months.
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Post by sconehead85 on Apr 6, 2012 22:43:31 GMT 1
With great respect WYB, these new trams can seat 150-200 passengers and will be duplicated by heritage trams along parts of the route. They need to earn their keep and not be weakened by a parallel bus service. Perhaps Line 1 should become a City Sightseeing service in the summer months only, using open toppers, with a separate licence for occasional tram replacement needs.
sconehead85
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Apr 6, 2012 23:18:24 GMT 1
Most of that capacity is standing room though, which is why I think retaining the bus summer only is best.
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Post by www.buseireann.ie on Apr 8, 2012 16:57:37 GMT 1
The tram has stops further apart when it leaves the main part of Blackpool (around the Hilton or there abouts) unlike the bus which has stops closer together meaning people have less distance to walk before reaching a bus stop. Line 1 during the illuminations has been an over used service to the extent you'd be waiting up to an hour for a bus to Fleetwood from outside the Imperial, and you'd be lucky to find a seat despite deckers being used.
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Post by sconehead85 on Apr 9, 2012 0:39:16 GMT 1
I thought that during the illuminations Line 1 was suspended due to congestion?
Im surprised that extra stops were not considered as part of the investment plans so as to eliminate the need for Line 1. What is the point of having a brand new tram system operating at part capacity alongside a duplicating bus service?
Another idea would be to split Line 1 up so as to make the tram more attractive.
Line 1A Airport- Town Centre (Line 1 to be Tram Replacement route in emergency) every 30 mins Line 8 Town Centre-Cleveleys every 30 mins. Line 9 TC-Cleveleys- alternate Mon-Sat daytime and all evening and Sunday journeys extended via route 1 to Fleetwood.
Line 8 could be an open top route in summer. Speaking of which, are there any plans to replace the ageing Olympians ?
sconehead85
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Post by Bradford Traveller on Apr 9, 2012 12:03:32 GMT 1
The first of Blackpool's new trams to set off from Fleetwood after a £100m upgrade has come off the rails. Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, said the derailment took place at about 05:55 BST near the Fleetwood Ferry. The problem occurred one day after the tramway's official reopening and is affecting services around Fleetwood. A fleet of 16 computerised trams have replaced the heritage vehicles, which will continue to run for tourists. "Not a good start to the morning, the first tram out round Fleetwood Ferry has come off the rails," said Mr Roberts. He said staff were trying to restore the service using the re-railing kit but added "unfortunately the sand is being blown into the tracks as fast as we can clear it". The four-year upgrade saw 11km of track replaced and a new tram depot built. Its heritage fleet includes three trams which will be decked with coloured lights during the illuminations and an open top tram which Blackpool Football Club can use in the event of any soccer triumph. Fleetwood football club the more likely to have a soccer triumph …
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Post by driver6540 on Apr 9, 2012 22:11:15 GMT 1
The first of Blackpool's new trams to set off from Fleetwood after a �100m upgrade has come off the rails. Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, said the derailment took place at about 05:55 BST near the Fleetwood Ferry. The problem occurred one day after the tramway's official reopening and is affecting services around Fleetwood. A fleet of 16 computerised trams have replaced the heritage vehicles, which will continue to run for tourists. "Not a good start to the morning, the first tram out round Fleetwood Ferry has come off the rails," said Mr Roberts. He said staff were trying to restore the service using the re-railing kit but added "unfortunately the sand is being blown into the tracks as fast as we can clear it". The four-year upgrade saw 11km of track replaced and a new tram depot built. Its heritage fleet includes three trams which will be decked with coloured lights during the illuminations and an open top tram which Blackpool Football Club can use in the event of any soccer triumph. Fleetwood football club the more likely to have a soccer triumph � Quite right, 101pt's with still more games to play is a remarkable acheivement. Be nice to see the Tangerines go back up as well. Line 1 seems to be reviewed annually, As most of you will know Line 1 only ran in the summer till about 2006 when it went to an all year round service. The fact is, Line 1 is profitable. Whether it remains so following the introduction of the new trams remains to be seen. However there seems to be no plans to withdraw/curtail this route for the immediate future. From what ive seen the route duplication is not really an issue. There's plenty of passengers to fill both the bus and the tram (especially in the summer months).
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Post by dwarfer1979 on Apr 10, 2012 8:40:35 GMT 1
With great respect WYB, these new trams can seat 150-200 passengers and will be duplicated by heritage trams along parts of the route. They need to earn their keep and not be weakened by a parallel bus service. Perhaps Line 1 should become a City Sightseeing service in the summer months only, using open toppers, with a separate licence for occasional tram replacement needs. sconehead85 If I remember correctly line 1 was introduced because concessionary passes aren't valid on the tram so the bus was provided for free travel pensioners who wanted to follow the route but not pay the tram fare. Utterly illogical I know (and I presume still the issue if the buses have remained) and you would have thought it more cost effective to make the passes valid on the trams but trams aren't covered by the legislation so presumeable Blackpool Council won't include them. Until that anomaly is fixed (it would seem simple as you can't imagine it would push up the costs to allow free passes on the tram instead of the bus but since when have local councils and concessionary passes every been logical) then line 1 will remain an all-year round operation.
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Post by sconehead85 on Apr 10, 2012 11:51:54 GMT 1
In that case the Line 1 should be split as I suggested.
sconehead85
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Post by www.buseireann.ie on Apr 10, 2012 13:59:43 GMT 1
Sorry just to clarify my above post, I meant during the illuminations period (Aug to Nov) not the actual time the illuminations come on at. Line 1 does run during the day during this period bus is suspended from 7pm on most days.
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