Blackpool Tramway Vintage Weekend 19/20 February 2022

Filmed over 2 days including Snow, Rain, Sun and wind. Every type of weather included, over an hour's footage from various locations.

[@johnrice7076]

Hi great video really enjoyed it nice seeing the the old trams and the snow in blackpool take care stay safe 👍

[@StevenHughestransportvideos]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video

[@bruceanderton1518]

Very sad to see the liquid carbon streaming down the side of 717 at Bispham; the roof of this tram is now more black than green, and other cars are suffering in the same manner. In contrast, 648 and 621 looked good now they are wearing decent liveries...and the snow looked very nice!

[@paulwalker1793]

Looks amazing,

[@leathandrubb]

Hi there.I'm 69 yo now and have been to Blackpool many times mostly with mum and dad during my life.I've enjoyed the pleasure beach,the tower including the circus and most things about Blackpool.however i know it sounds a bit strange but i miss the old pantographs that the conductor or driver used to turn round for the tram to go in the other direction.

[@StevenHughestransportvideos]

Some of the trams still have the trolley poles. Especially the open top trams.

[@leathandrubb]

@@StevenHughestransportvideos Hi there again and thank you for your reply.Well I think it is good that some still have them and hope a few will stay like that.

[@_sandie_123]

It’s mad to see them on normal rail lines I guess they must be the same gauge, out of curiosity do these connect up to the main lines whereby it would be possible to run a diesel unit from say promenade to Lancaster 🧐

[@StevenHughestransportvideos]

No, the line is entirely separate at the moment. This may change in future as there is talk of tram trains similar to Sheffield. Many years ago there was a link at Fleetwood and coal trucks used to be hauled over the tramway to Thornton from Fleetwood. The gauge is the same as the mainline but I believe the loading gauge is smaller so a mainline unit would not fit around the curves we have etc.

[@WilhelmSmit-ql5vc]

Some wonderful footage and exceptionally well edited..no voice overs to distract from the focus on the trams.. However have the organisers considered re-dating this event towards the commencement of the tourist season..eg: May... from observation of this video...too few people about and very few passengers utilising the tram the weather being an added factor. . Surely this cant be economical.. However if these trams are replacing the service trams as part of the ordinary time-tablet it's ensuring that the trams themselves are being put through their paces. Querying ...are the tram fares part of the Governments current £2 max charge (excluding the vintage operations) or not? On Nottingham's system senior residents are exempt same as Blackpool residents are on their system.Also I can use my pass on Sheffield's system (but not on the Manchester Metro system) However, visitors from other parts of the country who hold senior bus passes pay a discounted fare on the Nottingham system. There does not appear to be such an incentive on the Blackpool trams... . Would this not encourage more seniors to use the Blackpool system particularly as the videos I've watched do not appear to show over crowded trams.

[@StevenHughestransportvideos]

Hi, I'll try and answer your questions as best I can, however I'm not affiliated with the Tramway so can only answer based on my observations. The Feb event hasn't run this year and isn't on next year either to my knowledge. We have regular events though so have had them in May/July and August/September, although I haven't been out to see them as much this year. Certainly the February event did have low passenger numbers, not helped by no trains due to the poor weather at that time. The Vintage trams don't replace the modern trams and run in addition to them for a premium over the normal fares. Local residents can use trams for free within usual bus time restrictions (applies to Blackpool and Wyre card holders but not Fylde or anywhere further afield). We also don't offer any reduced fares for elderly on the trams like Nottingham do. During the busy season the modern trams can be full and standing and no shortage of elderly visitors choosing the tram over the infrequent bus service along the seafront. Next year should see the trams finally going to North Station so that may see more passenger numbers on the trams too, but time will tell on that one. The future is certainly looking interesting if all the "ideas and hopes" come together. Best wishes Steven

[@applecounty]

Do the trams still run to Fleetwood?

[@StevenHughestransportvideos]

Yes, we get the modern Flexity fleet every 15 minutes (day times) and we get heritage tours on a regular basis (twice a day during summer holiday period)