Wikipedia

Flexity 2 (Blackpool)

In 2012, Blackpool Council ordered 16 Bombardier Flexity 2 trams for the Blackpool Tramway, becoming the worldwide launch customer for Bombardier Transportation's new design.[2] The modern 100% low-floor trams replaced the Blackpool Tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which have been retained with modifications for use as a supplementary fleet alongside the Flexity 2 trams and some for tourist services on the promenade.[2] Blackpool's Flexity 2 trams are intended to be suitable for daily commuters and to provide a service competitive with other modes of transport and comply with legislation on accessibility for disabled users.[2][3]

Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Flexity 2 tram #011 at Tower
Interior
In service2012–present
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built at
Family nameFlexity 2
Constructed2010–2017[1]
Entered service3 April 2012
Number built18
Number in service18
Fleet numbers001–018
Capacity148 standing, 74 seated
OperatorsBlackpool Transport
DepotsStarr Gate
Lines servedBlackpool–Fleetwood
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel side panels/Aluminium
Car length32.23 m (105 ft 8+7⁄8 in)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in)
Height3.42 m (11 ft 2+5⁄8 in)
Floor height320 mm (12.60 in)
Low-floor100%
Doors8 (4 double width, 4 single width)
Articulated sections5 (four articulations)
Wheel diameter600–540 mm (23.62–21.26 in) (new–worn)
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Weight
  • 40.9 t (40.3 long tons; 45.1 short tons) (empty)
  • 56.7 t (55.8 long tons; 62.5 short tons) (loaded)
Axle load9.6 t (9.4 long tons; 10.6 short tons)
Steep gradient60‰
Traction systemIGBT–VVVF (Bombardier MITRAC 500)
Traction motors4 × 120 kW (160 hp) liquid-cooled 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output480 kW (640 hp)
Acceleration0.5 m/s2 (1.1 mph/s)
Deceleration
  • 1.2 m/s2 (2.7 mph/s) (service)
  • 2.73 m/s2 (6.1 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)600 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′+2′+Bo′
BogiesBombardier FLEXX Urban 3000
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

Two further Flexity 2 units (17 & 18) arrived on 1 and 15 December 2017, entering service on 4 March 2018.[4][5][6]

Background

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Blackpool Council placed the £33m order for the 16 Flexity 2 trams in July 2009, with funding from the council, Department for Transport and Lancashire County Council.[7][8] The worldwide launch of the Flexity 2 family took place with the unveiling of the first Blackpool tram on 8 September 2011.[3] They entered service on 4 April 2012.[2]

Details

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The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated tramcars.[8] There are four doors on each side, two single sliding plug doors next to the driver cabs in the first and fifth cars and two double sliding plug doors in the centre of the second and fourth cars. They can accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs,[3] with level boarding from low platforms which were built at stops ready for the introduction of the trams.[2]

The trams have two powered Flexx Urban 3000 bogies[8] in the centre of the first and fifth sections and an unpowered set in the centre car where the pantograph is also located. The trams use a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m (82 ft 0 in) in service or 20 m (65 ft 7 in) at Starr Gate Depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%. Although the Flexity 2 trams family's maximum speed is 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph), the Blackpool trams are electronically limited to 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph).[citation needed]

The middle and end of 2023 saw the introduction of Alstom’s collision and overspeed monitoring and prevention assistance system (COMPAS) being installed on some of the trams as part of a trial which will ultimately be implemented on all trams.[9]

Livery

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The final livery unveiled at the launch consists of white sides with black window surrounds and purple cabs, with a purple criss-cross pattern extending along the lower side panels. Some trams have advertisements on the sides instead of the average livery.

Maintenance

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The Flexity 2 cars are maintained at a depot at Starr Gate which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick,[10] with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere in Europe.[2]

Fleet

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Photo Number Notes
  001
  002

Named Alderman E.E Wynne[11]

  003 Collided with a cyclist on 8 July 2013.[12] Had an all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing[13] but has since been removed.[14]
  004
  005
  006

Ran the first journey with passengers on the first day of operations on 4 April 2012 but derailed in Fleetwood on the first journey back to Starr Gate.[15]

  007 Damaged en route to Blackpool; subsequently involved in a collision with a car on 11 June 2013,[16] and again on 11 January 2024 with another car near Harrow Place.[17] Named Alan Whitbread[18]
  008
  009
  010
  011
  012 Currently wearing an advertising livery for Blackpool Pleasure Beach[19]
  013
  014 Involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Polo on 22 May 2012;[20] returned to service on 26 May 2012[21]
  015
  016 Has all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing.[13]
  017
018

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bombardier confirm Blackpool tram order". British Trams Online. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Flexity 2 tram unveiled in Blackpool". Railway Gazette International. 8 September 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Blackpool supertram is here!". Blackpool Gazette. 8 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Flexity 017 makes its journey to Blackpool!". British Trams Online.
  5. ^ "Flexity 018 completes Blackpool's latest tram order". British Trams Online.
  6. ^ "In Pictures: Blackpool's newest trams enter service". British Trams Online.
  7. ^ "Bombardier wins G.B. Flexity 2 order". Metro Magazine. 9 July 2009.
  8. ^ a b c "Bombardier Wins First FLEXITY 2 Tram Order for Blackpool in the UK" (Press release). Bombardier Transportation. 8 July 2009.
  9. ^ News, UKTram (4 August 2023). "Blackpool showcases innovative safety system". UK Tram. Retrieved 21 January 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ "Tram bogie turntable". Railway Gazette International. 25 July 2010.
  11. ^ "Flexity2 002 becomes first to be named". British Trams Online. 23 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Tram Incident in Blackpool". Flickr. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Pretty little things spread to Blackpool!". British Trams Online. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  14. ^ "In Pictures: Blackpool 003 is a Pretty Little Thing no more! | British Trams Online News". Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Eventful first day for Blackpool's upgraded tram service". British Trams Online. 4 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Flexity 007 isn't so lucky after all!". British Trams Online. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  17. ^ Smith, Rachel (11 January 2024). "Debris strewn across road as 4x4 smashes into tram near Pleasure Beach". Lancs Live. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Flexity 007 named Alan Whitbread". British Trams Online. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  19. ^ Prior, Gareth. "In Pictures: Pleasure Beach return to advertising on Blackpool's trams | British Trams Online News". Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Flexity versus motor car – Round 1!". British Trams Online. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  21. ^ "Accident damaged 014 returns to service". Blackpool Tram Blog. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
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