No matter what you think about Blackpool, the place has always had and still has character. Modernising the tram system was the right thing, although I still miss the nostalgia of the old fleet touring the promenade. It always reminded me of my childhood holidays to Blackpool with my grandparents in the early to mid 90's.
What Steve the driver failed to mention was that not only did Ronnie Crossley shave on the move, but he used to sing while shaving, while driving along! A real character, and total legend.
Thomas Barnes - thanks for this great upload. I remember when they were bringing back the trams in Manchester, they were Digging up the roads to accept new tracks, and under the asphalt were the original tracks in some places. My parent's lived near the trams at New Addington in S.London. They used the trams all the time to E.Croydon then into London by train. Trams are still the answer to a lot of infrastructure problems.
Very interesting documentry, bought back happy memories of Blackpool Trams from when I first remember travelling on them as a kid in the 90s. Ironic how Geoffrey Thompsons idea for charging extra to ride on historic trams has come to fruition abeit 20 years later with the current heritage service, which is fantastic.
Walter Luff's only bungle was the VAMBAC control system, as used on the Coronation Class. I'm quietly confident that the contacts in that should've been smaller, so as to avoid welding themselves "ON" and causing overheating of the grids, etc. as seen only too clearly by myself on the Salvage Squad's car 304. A small blower unit in the trolley pole tower might well have helped keep the grids at reasonable temperature. Thanks for the upload. Very nostalgic for an old fart like me that worked with old electrics.
Here's a tale: In 1958, I cycled from close-by RAF Weeton into Blackpool, a very common way then of getting about. As i drew into the town limits, I was peering around when suddenly I couldn't move the handlebars. i looked down and saw that my wheels where trapped inside the tram lines....looking down, I wrestled to get them out and promptly ran through red lights....right in the path of a police car. i was stopped, cautioned and issued with a ten shilling fine, ( about £ 23 today )....that was then over twice my weekly wage. I appealed with a letter worked up by my RAF barrack room lawyers chums, which evidently brought tears to their eyes, and I was let off!
Wonderful destination blinds, such as South Promenade via Pleasure Beach, North Station Blackpool, Cabin, Manchester Square Cleveleys, Talbot Square etc,
It is a shame that after so long of being unique, Blackpool trams are indistinguishable in all but colour from Manchester or elsewhere. The town could not be continue to rely on the ageing fleet, but it is a shame.
A few years ago I was about to book a short holiday in a B&B which was beside the tramway in Fleetwood. I planned to be using the tram most days. However, on calling to make a booking I was informed that the old trams had recently been replaced. I decided not to book. 😢
Nice to see all those old EE trams, and of course the others too. Not so nice now I'm told, all plastic souless things now, not even made in this country. Amazing to hear the passengers refered to as customers. Always did get on my nerves when the newer and those who should know better staff came out with that ! Spent many years working on the Southern Region of BR.
What is wrong with the word "passenger" ? I think all these now privatised transport companies are under the illusion that just by insisting staff call passengers "customers", that it will make them feel more valued and happier to pay increasingly over the odds for their fares and for accepting an often worsening service. Surely the travelling public are not that stupid!
Thanks for posting Since then Edinburgh have brought back the tram Trams are the biggest loss in the Scotland 🏴 so much benefits to them they should bring them back
I was under the impression that the salt in the air was an aggressive agent that caused some problems with the VAMBAC unit in the Coronations. Car #304 was the only Coronation that still had a VAMBAC, although it was burnt out. The mounting ring for the contacts looked like it was some sort of resinous laminate like Paxolin. Heat makes it scorch and turn conductive. Leeds had trams with the same controllers. I wonder if they gave so much trouble? The Coronations had bigger or more motors. The electrical demand could also have been too much. They were perhaps a mistake. River Huntingdon: Did you work in the electrical shop at Rigby Rd? The VAMBAC of 304 was burnt out. Amazing that the baloons and rail-coaches have lasted so long and seen off so many generations of buses. 1933 to 2011: I don't expect to see the Flexity trams making it to the last quarter of this century.
Been visiting Blackpool for well over 35yrs and spent another long weekend there Fri-Sat-Sunday last weekend of September 2018 Never thought id say this but a lot of the place is in need of BIG modern changes and FAST All the Piers for a start are now looking poor, Poor toilets fixtures and fittings and all the games are all very out of date Even walking along the front you will see many void properties that need attention an FAST I've loved the place but I'm now finding it hard to defend the place and dare i say it..............RETURN So many areas have just been abandoned and neglected so the future looks bleak if they don't act FAST
"It all started a long time ago, and now it's the finish. The way they burn them, to lose nothing left but a charred skeleton... You would think they were afraid of ghosts. Ghosts of old trams running the rails at night..."
remember my dad had this recorded on video tape years ago! so 90s I love it. absolutely miss times like these
Makes me feel sick when I saw them burning those old beautiful tram coaches in the 60s..Great piece this thanks ❤
No matter what you think about Blackpool, the place has always had and still has character. Modernising the tram system was the right thing, although I still miss the nostalgia of the old fleet touring the promenade. It always reminded me of my childhood holidays to Blackpool with my grandparents in the early to mid 90's.
I LOVE the story of a dog riding the tram and having a nice day out. Lol.
The modern trams were needed but they could have at least painted and themed them to suit Blackpool history
What Steve the driver failed to mention was that not only did Ronnie Crossley shave on the move, but he used to sing while shaving, while driving along!
A real character, and total legend.
Thomas Barnes - thanks for this great upload. I remember when they were bringing back the trams in Manchester, they were Digging up the roads to accept new tracks, and under the asphalt were the original tracks in some places. My parent's lived near the trams at New Addington in S.London. They used the trams all the time to E.Croydon then into London by train. Trams are still the answer to a lot of infrastructure problems.
brilliant. it has the feel of a peter kay mockumentary
Thank you for posting this video. Very good.
So pleased to have found this - thanks for uploading it 😀
David Hughes with absolute foresight there.
Thomas, thank you so much! I had this documentary on VHS when I was a kid and I've been searching for it for years! I used to adore Blackpool trams!
Toby Baxter-Gale my pleasure Toby. This too was taken from an old VHS, hence the quality
Very interesting documentry, bought back happy memories of Blackpool Trams from when I first remember travelling on them as a kid in the 90s. Ironic how Geoffrey Thompsons idea for charging extra to ride on historic trams has come to fruition abeit 20 years later with the current heritage service, which is fantastic.
A great pleasure too drive ,nice to see the late chief inspector Ronnie Jackson rip
Walter Luff's only bungle was the VAMBAC control system, as used on the Coronation Class. I'm quietly confident that the contacts in that should've been smaller, so as to avoid welding themselves "ON" and causing overheating of the grids, etc. as seen only too clearly by myself on the Salvage Squad's car 304. A small blower unit in the trolley pole tower might well have helped keep the grids at reasonable temperature. Thanks for the upload. Very nostalgic for an old fart like me that worked with old electrics.
I really enjoyed the video they are better than the new ones they are part of Blackpool history
Here's a tale: In 1958, I cycled from close-by RAF Weeton into Blackpool, a very common way then of getting about. As i drew into the town limits, I was peering around when suddenly I couldn't move the handlebars. i looked down and saw that my wheels where trapped inside the tram lines....looking down, I wrestled to get them out and promptly ran through red lights....right in the path of a police car. i was stopped, cautioned and issued with a ten shilling fine, ( about £ 23 today )....that was then over twice my weekly wage.
I appealed with a letter worked up by my RAF barrack room lawyers chums, which evidently brought tears to their eyes, and I was let off!
Wonderful destination blinds, such as South Promenade via Pleasure Beach, North Station Blackpool, Cabin, Manchester Square Cleveleys, Talbot Square etc,
Love the Balloon and open air Toast rack trams
It is a shame that after so long of being unique, Blackpool trams are indistinguishable in all but colour from Manchester or elsewhere.
The town could not be continue to rely on the ageing fleet, but it is a shame.
They should have bought or ordered new low-floor double deckers, like the Boris bus, but trams.
A few years ago I was about to book a short holiday in a B&B which was beside the tramway in Fleetwood. I planned to be using the tram most days. However, on calling to make a booking I was informed that the old trams had recently been replaced. I decided not to book. 😢
Nice to see all those old EE trams, and of course the others too. Not so nice now I'm told, all plastic souless things now, not even made in this country. Amazing to hear the passengers refered to as customers. Always did get on my nerves when the newer and those who should know better staff came out with that ! Spent many years working on the Southern Region of BR.
What is wrong with the word "passenger" ?
I think all these now privatised transport companies are under the illusion that just by insisting staff call passengers "customers", that it will make them feel more valued and happier to pay increasingly over the odds for their fares and for accepting an often worsening service. Surely the travelling public are not that stupid!
@@twistedcheese1 they should have bought or ordered new low-floor double deckers, like the Boris bus, but trams.
Hello,
Fascinating..
Cordialement,
Thanks for posting
Since then Edinburgh have brought back the tram
Trams are the biggest loss in the Scotland 🏴 so much benefits to them they should bring them back
I was under the impression that the salt in the air was an aggressive agent that caused some problems with the VAMBAC unit in the Coronations. Car #304 was the only Coronation that still had a VAMBAC, although it was burnt out. The mounting ring for the contacts looked like it was some sort of resinous laminate like Paxolin. Heat makes it scorch and turn conductive.
Leeds had trams with the same controllers. I wonder if they gave so much trouble?
The Coronations had bigger or more motors. The electrical demand could also have been too much. They were perhaps a mistake.
River Huntingdon: Did you work in the electrical shop at Rigby Rd?
The VAMBAC of 304 was burnt out.
Amazing that the baloons and rail-coaches have lasted so long and seen off so many generations of buses. 1933 to 2011: I don't expect to see the Flexity trams making it to the last quarter of this century.
flexity trams suck
They should have bought or ordered new low-floor double deckers, like the Boris bus, but trams.
Been visiting Blackpool for well over 35yrs and spent another long weekend there Fri-Sat-Sunday last weekend of September 2018
Never thought id say this but a lot of the place is in need of BIG modern changes and FAST
All the Piers for a start are now looking poor, Poor toilets fixtures and fittings and all the games are all very out of date
Even walking along the front you will see many void properties that need attention an FAST
I've loved the place but I'm now finding it hard to defend the place and dare i say it..............RETURN
So many areas have just been abandoned and neglected so the future looks bleak if they don't act FAST
Yes right the reason why the infrastructure is crumbling is because of lack of investment back in 😤😤😤
Rita 🗣
We've got trams in Birmingham now.
....14:14....
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
"It all started a long time ago, and now it's the finish. The way they burn them, to lose nothing left but a charred skeleton... You would think they were afraid of ghosts. Ghosts of old trams running the rails at night..."
28:35...
"I'm not very happy about it"
W🧐T🤔Fk🤬 is he on about.?🧐🤔🤬?.
I'm not very happy with him.!😳!.
5:45...
"When FULLY inflated".!
W🤔T🧐Fk😲.
What the fu(|< is he on about.?🤔🤔🤔?.
When it's fully filled. That's a wordplay on the tram's nickname "Balloon".