Blackpool Trams 1989

One day in July 1989 - starting and finishing at Rigby Road Depot we see trams in action between Fleetwood Road (Broadwater) and Starr Gate including the 'Golden Mile', Bispham, Cleveleys, Gynn Square and Pleasure Beach.

[@sjp6839]

Brings back such wonderful memories of a golden time. All changed now and not for the better

[@bluesteel6612]

Those 1930s built English Electric balloon & Brush trams are fantastic and make my memories of 1960s 70s early 1980s .. the noise rail wheel clatter and electrical charge sounds .. brilliant fond memories

[@davidpendry7731]

Loved the balloon and coronation trams The open aired toast track was also very special The rumble and toot toot bought back memories of illumination tours on the Balloon trams during the golden years. (60,s) The Rocket ship was a favourite

[@benpeter1239]

I was 10 in 1989 and clearly remember the McDonalds team advertising, we went up for the switch on for the lights so maybe October of that year and stayed in a crappy B and B off one of the back streets. The land lady would lock the door at 11 pm. We had chips on the front. We also purchased a glowing hat with lights to wear. We went up from Leicester in my Dads Ford capri Great memorys and fantastic video footage. Also we went to a show and Micheal Barrymore was on state.

[@mesmoland]

This is just wonderful,I drifted off back in time for a while.

[@merou35]

Peace from me to all people of blackpool. I love blackpool

[@arthurmatthews9321]

Brings back so many memories. Always loved a run up to fleetwood on a old balloon car. Sat at the front watching the driver notching up the old controller. And the sound of the traction motors accelerating. Once you got north of cabin it was railway track and you could get up to a decent speed. Loved it.

[@michaelhealey9538]

Been about 10 yrs since I went on the Blackpool Trams, used to take the train from Manchester @ the weekend while I was in high school just to ride the old trams 🙂 Haven't even been on the new ones yet 😄

[@leathandrubb]

nice to see the trams with the old style pantographs which i should think have all gone now.Loved the see the conductor or driver pulling it off the wire with a wooden pole then turning it round the go in the other direction.

[@carbonsiliconnn]

@1.46 Two keen day trippers trying to re-enact the Alan Bradley scene

[@terry987654]

i used to go holidays in blackpool when i was a kid and my parents went to fleetwood market on the tram. i have not been since they modernised the trams it is a shame as the old trams were unique to blackpool but i suppose it had to happen eventually lets hope the heritage fleet can keep running for many more years.

[@lewisjackson2832]

I live in Fleetwood I think I hey should bring the old ones back when cov is over

[@cosmic4037]

1989 was the last time I went to Blackpool until I returned in 2012. I lived the trams and clanging noise. But sad to say this, all the changes to modernise Blackpool. From sea wall to trams to modern art. Even the grass along the prom, all took away from its charm. Grateful to know Blackpool in 70s and 80s.

[@john111257]

Had to be done, so much crime, unsociable behaviour , drugs etc..these were great days in the 70s

[@thatswiked]

Nice vid mate glad some of these still run on herratige routes

[@misterchippie]

Some great shots of the old OMO trams, and also the iconic Lewis's building next to the tower. Great memories.

[@stu11188]

The modern tramway, or should we really say light rail system, is a change but certainly not for the better. The only time I used it I had to stand all the way to Fleetwood and the same again all the way back and when I did get back the stop I wanted wasn’t even a stop anymore. So good to see and hear the trams as they should be.

[@derekross6741]

Great video love the old trams it is not the same without them can you please tell me where I can get poat cards pictures of the the trams thanks take care

[@craigrogers3864]

Brilliant footage!

[@NJPurling]

I have only been to Blackpool once, but it was well before even this video was filmed. As soon as I reached the promenade I thought WOW. I never knew Blackpool still had trams. I knew it had a tower and a rather famous Wurlitzer organ & that was about it. Went to Fleetwood instead of the Pleasure Beach. Never did the full length. The track along the Golden Mile was amazingly bumpy. These old ladies showed what they could do once you got to the reserved track. It was the Disability Discrimination Act that helped to finish off the balloons & Railcars. No Wheelchair Access. But they did try workarounds. The system must have also needed a LOT of serious re-laying come the 21st Century. They were using vehicles that were made before WW2 & before both of my parents were born. Walter Luff would have laughed until the tears ran if anyone suggested that his new order of trams would outlast FOUR generations of buses & last well into the New Milenium.

[@G4RY1159]

Much simpler times back then

[@Mikeacdc]

Some nice footage there. Just how I remember the tramway from my childhood. A shame they had to spoil it (sorry modernise it). Suppose we should be grateful that we still have the heritage fleet.

[@TheAmateurBasher1984]

Happy days indeed...

[@michaelwalton9528]

you boring bastard dave

[@robertwright7937]

You never had to go to that bloody tram shed at 5.00am, did you? Nothing worse than travelling from there to Fleetwood at that time, bloody freezing all the way, wearing that stupid blazer....😁

[@TheAmateurBasher1984]

@@robertwright7937 Never worked for Blackpool Transport, so I wouldn't know... :P (I do pity you having to endure all that though; I'll bet you've got a lot more stories from those days!)

[@robertwright7937]

@@TheAmateurBasher1984 Many, many more, sir. The best (?) was probably when a hen party took over the top deck. I went up to get their 50ps, and came back down the stairs almost naked, after the ladies decided I would look better nude. I don't know if you've even tried to fight off a group of drunk women, but its incredibly difficult.😲

[@TheAmateurBasher1984]

@@robertwright7937 Ooh eerr, missus! :D Mind you, what with Blackpool being popular for hen parties, I can't say I'm surprised...

[@easydrive3662]

Remember this like it was yesterday, was only 10years old at the time but used to stay at the viking and queens hotel and grandparents lived at lytham st annes. I can even remember the ads on the side of the trams, and wow love seeing the older cars, 1989 would be the year of the G reg!! Love the roy chubby brown ad on the tram, back before the lefty woke brigade came along!!

[@WMRailSpotter]

I went to Blackpool in September 2019 and there was a bubble tram with unions on why put a modern day livery on an old tram not keeping it original

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

They made a pacer tram???

[@desiro3503]

Yes and there is some still in the fleet today they were built at a similar time to the pacer and share much with the pacer they were designed to replace the omo trams and are officially called centenary trams

[@stephenduncan3605]

@@desiro3503 they make a loud buzzing noise when moving on board as well.

[@minimaxi802]

Health and safety risk today. A pensioner falling down the stairs on a balloon in 2022 was the same in 1935.

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

Looking at the adverts on the trams, not so much entertainment as "Untertainment". As much as I love Bpool, I hate the shit that Chubby Brown etc present, it just confirms all the stereotypes of the English (now tory voting) working class, and my Covid19 experiences, in that I've been living in a world surrounded by dickheads. Thanks for the heads up "Covid19", but I kind of sensed this outcome already.