Luxury Toastrack 236

On Sunday 3rd June 2012 the Blackpool 'Luxury Toastrack' 236 will be launched in to public service

In support of what promises to be a memorable occasion there will be a photo line up of Blackpool trams on the depot fan from 9.00 am onwards and at 10.30 am there will be a cavalcade of Blackpool trams in the Museum street.

The last photo line up and cavalcade of Blackpool trams took place in September 2008 so here a couple views of that event to whet your appetite for the this coming Sunday's event.

Photos courtesy: Mike Crabtree

Ready to Launch

The Blackpool Boat Car has been decorated ready for its launch on Sunday 3rd June and the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebration this Bank Holiday Weekend.

The Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation

A message from Mike Crabtree, Chairman, The Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation (TSO) to all TSO members


Colin Heaton, Chairman, The Tramway Museum Society has asked me to extend, on his behalf, an invitation to all TSO Members to be present at the launch of Blackpool 'Luxury Toastrack' 236 on Sunday 3rd June 2012 at 11 30 am in Stephenson Place at the Museum.


Arrangements have also been made for TSO members to enjoy a special private ride on the car departing the depot fan at 2 00 pm.

The launch event is taking place during the Museum's weekend event 'Beside the Seaside', it is expected that in addition to Blackpool 236 on its inaugural day in service, there will be many other Blackpool trams running.

Fellow TSO Trustees and myself look forward to meeting and welcoming TSO Members to this event and hope many of you are able to attend at what looks like being a good day at the Museum.

Mike Crabtree,

Chairman,

The Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation

236s First trip to Glory Mine

Blackpool 236 took its first trip up to Glory Mine since joining the collection at Crich on Monday 23rd April. The tram had been to Glory Mine previously in 1985 when it was on loan from Blackpool Transport Services.

The engineering team plus a stowaway at Glory Mine

The original tram numbers have now been added to the side of 236. The numbers were generously donated by LTT member John Bradley who used to work at Blackpool Transport when they were throwing out all the old numbers after they were removed from the trams.

Pushing the Boat Out

Blackpool Boat Car 236 Launch


To coincide with our Beside the Seaside event on Sunday 3rd June we are ‘pushing the boat out’ with the official launch of the Blackpool 236 Boat Car.



The event will offer fantastic photo opportunities of our Blackpool Tram Fleet and a chance to ride on our newly acquired trams from Blackpool as well as old favourites.



The Museum will open at 9am for photo opportunities. Rita’s Tearoom will be open at 9:30am for early visitors, other facilities will open at 10am and the first tram will leave at 10:30am.

Blackpool 49, 167, 762 will be on display on the depot fan. Blackpool 166, Fleetwood 2, Balcony 40 and 630 will be in service (subject to availability)



The launch ceremony will take place at Stephenson Place at 11:30am

Wednesday 16th May

London 159 on a test run on Wednesday 16th May

Wednesday also saw Blackpool 236 on its first outing at Crich since its arrival on Monday 23rd April

Centenary of the opening of the Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway 15th May 1912

The Grimsby and Immingham Electric Railway was opened 100 years ago on 15th May 1912.


The Museum is very fortunate to have two examples of the rolling stock that ran on the line; Grimsby and Immingham 14 and Gateshead 5 that ran on the line as Grimsby & Immingham No 20.

Grimsby  &  Immingham 14 and Grimsby & Immingham 20 at the Immingham Dock terminus in the late 1950's

Photo: Mike Crabtree collection (photographer unknown)

Grimsby & Immingham 14 reunited with Gateshead 5 (formerly Grimsby & Immingham 20) outside the depot at Crich.

Photo: Mike Crabtree

Grimsby & Immingham 20 at the tram stop in Stephenson Place circa 1964.

Photo: Mike Crabtree

Blackpool 630 Launch

An event to launch Blackpool 'Brush' car 630 in to service was held at the Museum on Saturday 12th May 2012. The Museum arranged to have all operational tramcars that had been built by Brush Ltd in passenger carrying service and displayed other non operational Brush built tramcars in the depot yard. 

Blackpool Brush car 630 posed in the depot with Blackpool Brush car 298

TMS President Chris Thornburn making a welcoming speech to launch 630 in to service and inviting the passengers and guests to board the tram, with 630's first tram crew comprising Driver Peter Whiteley and Conductor Sue Whiteley looking on.

630 leaving the depot yard conveying its first load of passengers on the inaugural run to Glory Mine.

Cardiff 131 passing the Derby Corporation Brush bodied Crossley bus

Brush built London 1622 passing the Brush built Derby Corporation bus

 

Blackpool 'Brush' car 630 passing the Brush built Derby Corporation bus.

all photos courtesy Mike Crabtree

Launch of Blackpool Brush Car 630

We are pleased to announce that the official launch of Blackpool Brush Car 630 will be on Saturday 12th May. The day will have a Brush theme and we hope to have all other available Brush cars at Crich in service which include Chesterfield 7, Leeds 180, Blackpool 630, Cardiff 131 and London 1622.


Tickets for the first trip on Blackpool 630 are now on sale. The price of a ticket is £10 per person and will include exclusive photo opportunities and a tour of the Workshop. The official launch and first trip for ticket holders will be at 11:30am. Each ticket holder will also be entered into a draw to win a chance to drive Blackpool 630.

If you would like to purchase tickets, please call 01773 854321 or send a cheque made payable to 'Tramway Museum Society'. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

159 First Journey

Pictures taken on Tuesday 1st May of London 159 taking its first journey along the Museum track.