Bombardier 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]

Bombardier Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Flexity 2 tram, No. 011, at Tower tram stop
Interior
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built atBautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria
Family nameFlexity 2
Constructed2010–2012
2016–2017[1]
Entered serviceApril 2012
Number built18
Number in service18
Formation5 body sections per tram
Fleet numbers001–018
Capacity74 seats + 148 standing spaces
Operator(s)Blackpool Transport
Depot(s)Starr Gate
Line(s) 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)
Doors2x double width and 2x single width, each side
Articulated sections5
Maximum speed43.5 mph (70 km/h)
Weight40.9 t (40.3 long tons; 45.1 short tons) per tram
Traction systemFour 120 kW (160 hp) three phase AC traction motors
Acceleration0.5 m/s2 (1.1 mph per second; 1.8 km/h per second)
Deceleration1.2 m/s2 (2.73 emergency) (2.7 mph per second; 6.1 mph per second emergency)
Electric system(s)600 V DC Overhead
Current collection methodPantograph
BogiesFLEXX Urban 3000
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Part of a series of articles on
Blackpool Tramway

Two further Flexity 2 units arrived on 1 and 15 December 2017, and both entered service on 4 March 2018.[4][5][6]

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.[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

The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated tramcars.[8] There are four doors on each side, two single doors next to the driver cabs in the first and fifth cars and two double 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 cars and an unpowered set in the centre car. The trams use a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m in service or 20 m at Starr Gate Depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%.

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.

Maintenance

The Flexity 2 cars are maintained at a depot at Starr Gate which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick,[9] with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere in Europe.[2]

Fleet
PhotoNumberNotes
001
002

Named Alderman E.E Wynne.[10]

003Collided with a cyclist on 8 July 2013.[11] Has all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing.[12]
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.[13]

007Damaged en route to Blackpool; subsequently involved in a collision with a car on 11 June 2013.[14] Named Alan Whitbread.[15]
008
009
010
011
012
013
014Involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Polo on 22 May 2012;[16] returned to service on 26 May 2012.[17]
015
016Has all-over advert livery for PrettyLittleThing.[12]
017
018

See also

References
  1. "Bombardier confirm Blackpool tram order". British Trams Online. British Trams Online. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. "Flexity 2 tram unveiled in Blackpool". Railway Gazette International. 8 September 2011.
  3. "Blackpool supertram is here!". Blackpool Gazette. 8 September 2011.
  4. "Flexity 017 makes its journey to Blackpool!". British Trams Online. British Trams Online.
  5. "Flexity 018 completes Blackpool's latest tram order". British Trams Online. British Trams Online.
  6. "In Pictures: Blackpool's newest trams enter service". British Trams Online. British Trams Online.
  7. "Bombardier wins G.B. Flexity 2 order". Metro Magazine. 9 July 2009.
  8. "Bombardier Wins First FLEXITY 2 Tram Order for Blackpool in the UK" (Press release). Bombardier Transportation. 8 July 2009.
  9. "Tram bogie turntable". Railway Gazette International. 25 July 2010.
  10. "Flexity2 002 becomes first to be named". British Trams Online. 23 February 2012.
  11. "Tram Incident in Blackpool". Flickr. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  12. "Pretty little things spread to Blackpool!". British Trams Online. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  13. "Eventful first day for Blackpool's upgraded tram service". British Trams Online. 4 April 2012.
  14. "Flexity 007 isn't so lucky after all!". British Trams Online. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  15. "Flexity 007 named Alan Whitbread". British Trams Online. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  16. "Flexity versus motor car – Round 1!". British Trams Online. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  17. "Accident damaged 014 returns to service". Blackpool Tram Blog. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
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