BLACKPOOL TRAM SYSTEM

The Blackpool Trams celebrated its 125th anniversary of operation in 2010.

The trams run from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde coast and the route is 11 miles long and carries 6.5 million passengers each year.

The previous upgrade of the electrical system was undertaken by James Scott, part of the Amec group, in 1995. The scope of work being for the supplies for the trams and illuminations to be upgraded at a cost of £7 million. At this time new DC switchgear manufactured by Whipp & Bourne Ltd was installed in 7 new DC substations from Pleasure Beach to Thorton Gate.

This switchgear is to be utilised for the latest changes to the system which will result in a new metro system comprising of 16 Bombardier FLEXITY 2 trams. As Global Switchgear Services engineers were at site during the installation, testing and commissioning of the DC switchgear installed in 1995, we were invited back to provide the expertise to carry out the required detailed inspection, service and testing.

Global Switchgear engineers provided the support documentation on the worthiness of the switchgear for continual safe operation at the increased service voltage required for the new FLEXITY 2 trams to operate. This work has been completed on schedule to the satisfaction of both the consultants and Blackpool Council engineers.