Flexity 2 (Blackpool) Explained

Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Interiorimage:Flexity 2 tram interior.JPG
Interiorcaption:Interior
Service:2012–present
Manufacturer:Bombardier Transportation
Factory:
Family:Flexity 2
Yearconstruction:2010–2017[1]
Yearservice:3 April 2012
Numberbuilt:18
Numberservice:18
Fleetnumbers:001–018
Capacity:148 standing, 74 seated
Operator:Blackpool Transport
Depots:Starr Gate
Lines:Blackpool–Fleetwood
Carbody:Steel side panels/Aluminium
Carlength:32.23frac=8NaNfrac=8
Width:2.65frac=8NaNfrac=8
Height:3.42frac=8NaNfrac=8
Lowfloor:100%
Floorheight:3202NaN2
Doors:8 (4 double width, 4 single width)
Art-Sections:5 (four articulations)
Wheeldiameter:600– (new–worn)
Maxspeed:70km/h
Weight:
  • 40.9t (empty)
  • 56.7t (loaded)
Axleload:9.6t
Steep Gradient:60‰
Traction:IGBTVVVF (Bombardier MITRAC 500)
Traction Motors:4 × 120kW liquid-cooled 3-phase AC induction motor
Poweroutput:480kW
Acceleration:0.5m/s2
Deceleration:
  • 1.2m/s2 (service)
  • 2.73m/s2 (emergency)
Electricsystem: overhead catenary
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Uicclass:Bo′+2′+Bo′
Bogies:Bombardier FLEXX Urban 3000

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]

Two further Flexity 2 units (17 & 18) arrived on 1 and 15 December 2017, entering service on 4 March 2018.[3] [4] [5]

Background

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.[6] [7] The worldwide launch of the Flexity 2 family took place with the unveiling of the first Blackpool tram on 8 September 2011.[8] They entered service on 4 April 2012.

Details

The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated tramcars. 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, with level boarding from low platforms which were built at stops ready for the introduction of the trams.

The trams have two powered Flexx Urban 3000 bogies 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 in service or at Starr Gate Depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%. Although the Flexity 2 trams family's maximum speed is, the Blackpool trams are electronically limited to .

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

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

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.

Fleet

Photo Number Notes
001
002 Named Alderman E.E Wynne[11]
003 Collided with a cyclist on 8 July 2013. Had an all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing[12] but has since been removed.[13]
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.[14]
007 Damaged en route to Blackpool; subsequently involved in a collision with a car on 11 June 2013, and again on 11 January 2024 with another car near Harrow Place.[15] Named Alan Whitbread[16]
008
009
010
011
012 Currently wearing an advertising livery for Blackpool Pleasure Beach[17]
013
014 Involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Polo on 22 May 2012; returned to service on 26 May 2012
015
016 Has all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing.
017
018

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bombardier confirm Blackpool tram order. British Trams Online. 30 June 2016.
  2. News: Flexity 2 tram unveiled in Blackpool . 8 September 2011 . Railway Gazette International.
  3. Web site: Flexity 017 makes its journey to Blackpool!. British Trams Online.
  4. Web site: Flexity 018 completes Blackpool's latest tram order. British Trams Online.
  5. Web site: In Pictures: Blackpool's newest trams enter service. British Trams Online.
  6. News: Bombardier wins G.B. Flexity 2 order . 9 July 2009 . Metro Magazine.
  7. Bombardier Wins First FLEXITY 2 Tram Order for Blackpool in the UK . Bombardier Transportation. 8 July 2009.
  8. News: Blackpool supertram is here! . . 8 September 2011.
  9. Web site: News . UKTram . 2023-08-04 . Blackpool showcases innovative safety system . 2024-01-21 . UK Tram . en-GB.
  10. Web site: Tram bogie turntable . Railway Gazette International. 25 July 2010.
  11. Web site: Flexity2 002 becomes first to be named. British Trams Online. 23 February 2012.
  12. Web site: Pretty little things spread to Blackpool!. British Trams Online. 28 August 2018. 29 July 2019.
  13. Web site: In Pictures: Blackpool 003 is a Pretty Little Thing no more! British Trams Online News . 2024-01-21 . en-US.
  14. Web site: Eventful first day for Blackpool's upgraded tram service. British Trams Online. 4 April 2012.
  15. Web site: Smith . Rachel . 2024-01-11 . Debris strewn across road as 4x4 smashes into tram near Pleasure Beach . 2024-01-21 . Lancs Live . en.
  16. Web site: Flexity 007 named Alan Whitbread. British Trams Online. 14 September 2015. 29 July 2019.
  17. Web site: Prior . Gareth . In Pictures: Pleasure Beach return to advertising on Blackpool’s trams British Trams Online News . 2024-01-21 . en-US.