Streamlined Trams of Blackpool (eBook)

In the early 1930s, Blackpool's tram system faced a critical juncture, requiring upgrades to both tracks and trams, with a real risk of converting 'town' routes to bus operation. However, the appointment of Walter Luff as general manager marked a pivotal moment. Collaborating with English Electric in nearby Preston, Luff introduced a series of streamlined trams, both single-deck and double-deck, transforming the town's tramway. By the end of the 1930s, over 100 new trams, predominantly from English Electric but with 20 from Brush, ensured the survival of key routes along the Promenade to Fleetwood and most 'town' routes. Over the next seven decades, these trams formed the backbone of the Blackpool system, with many rebuilt to extend their lives and outlast newer designs. It was only with the modernisation of the Blackpool system in the 21st century's first decade that they became largely obsolete, but they remain part of the contemporary heritage fleet. This book explores the history of Blackpool's streamlined trams from their development to preservation.