About us
The Fylde Tramway Society was founded in 1971 to support the retention and development of the Blackpool to Fleetwood Tramway. This was at a time when its future was becoming in doubt; after the demise of the inland routes in the 1960's, and the deepening threat at the end of the 1960's and early 1970's, the Fylde Tramway Society was born to campaign for its retention.
Since those early days the Society has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a membership of over 600 with members throughout the UK., Europe, the USA and the Commonwealth. 1996 celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Society. Today the Fylde Tramway Society is a fast expanding truly international Society, and is the only Society dedicated to the Blackpool tramway and its tramcars.
Over many years the Society has established an excellent relationship with Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. at all levels, and as a result has been involved in several major projects. The Centenary of the Blackpool Tramway in 1985 was celebrated by sponsoring open-top "Balloon" tram 706, "Princess Alice", and its repainting into original livery. "Princess Alice" was returned to service after severe damage. More recent projects have included the transport of vintage trams to Blackpool, and sponsoring the return to service and repaint into 1930's style of "Open Boat" tram 605. The much-loved and admired "Coronation Car" 660 was sponsored for a complete overhaul and refurbishment to near original condition.
For the 1998 Tramroad Centenary celebrations the Society sponsored a further re-paint of 660, together with the overhaul and repaint of the unique low-sided boat car 600 for return to service in Blackpool. The Society also sponsored the restoration of B&F Rack 2 of 1898 at the National Tramway Museum.
The Fylde Tramway Society arranges a wide range of interesting events for its members as well as the publication of a monthly magazine, Fylde Tramway News, free to all members. This includes articles on all the latest news and information on Blackpool's trams and buses, together with features on the history of the trams and the tramway. Blackpool was of course Britain's first electric tramway in 1885, and also the last surviving conventional tramway to operate a full year round public service in the UK. There is also extensive coverage of tramway developments elsewhere, including the recent rebirth of the "super" tram in the UK.
Members of the Fylde Tramway Society are also able to enjoy interesting tours and events. These include the popular "Annual Convention Weekend" with tours, a depot visit, Annual dinner with guest speaker at a top Blackpool Hotel and a film show. Other events and tours are arranged throughout the year and include an "Illuminations tram tour", and a festive "Christmas tram tour". In addition to these, visits are arranged to ride and look behind the scenes of other tramways. Members have recently enjoyed tours and visits of both Metrolink in Manchester and Supertram in Sheffield. Members are also able to attend regular monthly meetings, featuring slides or video/film shows on tramways and transport from all eras. These are heldevery first Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 PM at the "Wings Club", Victoria Road West, Cleveleys; only a short walk from Cleveleys tram stop!
For all this and more, why not join us today and become a part of this fast growing and active Society?
Since those early days the Society has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a membership of over 600 with members throughout the UK., Europe, the USA and the Commonwealth. 1996 celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Society. Today the Fylde Tramway Society is a fast expanding truly international Society, and is the only Society dedicated to the Blackpool tramway and its tramcars.
Over many years the Society has established an excellent relationship with Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. at all levels, and as a result has been involved in several major projects. The Centenary of the Blackpool Tramway in 1985 was celebrated by sponsoring open-top "Balloon" tram 706, "Princess Alice", and its repainting into original livery. "Princess Alice" was returned to service after severe damage. More recent projects have included the transport of vintage trams to Blackpool, and sponsoring the return to service and repaint into 1930's style of "Open Boat" tram 605. The much-loved and admired "Coronation Car" 660 was sponsored for a complete overhaul and refurbishment to near original condition.
For the 1998 Tramroad Centenary celebrations the Society sponsored a further re-paint of 660, together with the overhaul and repaint of the unique low-sided boat car 600 for return to service in Blackpool. The Society also sponsored the restoration of B&F Rack 2 of 1898 at the National Tramway Museum.
The Fylde Tramway Society arranges a wide range of interesting events for its members as well as the publication of a monthly magazine, Fylde Tramway News, free to all members. This includes articles on all the latest news and information on Blackpool's trams and buses, together with features on the history of the trams and the tramway. Blackpool was of course Britain's first electric tramway in 1885, and also the last surviving conventional tramway to operate a full year round public service in the UK. There is also extensive coverage of tramway developments elsewhere, including the recent rebirth of the "super" tram in the UK.
Members of the Fylde Tramway Society are also able to enjoy interesting tours and events. These include the popular "Annual Convention Weekend" with tours, a depot visit, Annual dinner with guest speaker at a top Blackpool Hotel and a film show. Other events and tours are arranged throughout the year and include an "Illuminations tram tour", and a festive "Christmas tram tour". In addition to these, visits are arranged to ride and look behind the scenes of other tramways. Members have recently enjoyed tours and visits of both Metrolink in Manchester and Supertram in Sheffield. Members are also able to attend regular monthly meetings, featuring slides or video/film shows on tramways and transport from all eras. These are heldevery first Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 PM at the "Wings Club", Victoria Road West, Cleveleys; only a short walk from Cleveleys tram stop!
For all this and more, why not join us today and become a part of this fast growing and active Society?
FTSwebmaster - October 27, 09:51