Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Encyclopedia
Blackpool
Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation
Flexity 2
trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway
's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist services in the town centre. Blackpool's Flexity 2 trams are intended to be suitable for daily commuters and to provide a service competitive with other modes and comply with legislation on accessibility for disabled users.
The trams have two powered FLEXX Urban 3000 bogies in the centre of the first and fifth cars and an unpowered set in the centre car. The tram utilises a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m in service or 20 m on the depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%.
which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick, with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere Europe.
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
Flexity 2
Flexity 2
The Flexity 2 is a family of tram or light-rail vehicle manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. It is 100% low-floor, in order to easily accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The trams are bi-directional, with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, and are articulated with five sections...
trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway
Blackpool tramway
The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as...
's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist services in the town centre. Blackpool's Flexity 2 trams are intended to be suitable for daily commuters and to provide a service competitive with other modes and comply with legislation on accessibility for disabled users.
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. The worldwide launch of the Flexity 2 family took place with the unveiling of the first Blackpool vehicle on 8 September 2011. They are due to enter full service by Easter 2012.Details
The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated cars. 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, 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 cars and an unpowered set in the centre car. The tram utilises a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m in service or 20 m on the depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%.
Livery
The final livery unveiled at the launch consists of cream with purple cabs and a purple criss-cross pattern extending along the lower side panels.Maintenance
The Flexity 2 cars will be maintained at a depot at Starr GateStarr Gate
Starr Gate is in the South Shore district of Blackpool in the county of Lancashire, England. It is located at the south-western end of Blackpool on the Fylde coast and is adjacent to the Squires Gate district of Blackpool....
which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick, with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere Europe.