Built 1935 to house a fleet of contemporary trams - many double deck. Unique in still being used for the housing, maintenance and operation of the same heritage fleet.
Rigby Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
The Blackpool Heritage Tram Shed is a purpose built tram shed constructed in 1935 as part of the Blackpool Corporation Transport Department's five-year modernisation plan (1933-1938) and housed most of the fleet of modern streamline trams delivered to Blackpool between 1934 and 1939, many of which are remarkably still housed, maintained and operated from here.
When completed, the shed was capable of housing approximately 120 trams and is now the last operational first-generation tram depot in the United Kingdom. It is also one of only three tram depots in the world that operate double deck trams on a mainline tramway.
The tram shed is a single story building measuring approximately 63m wide and 87m deep and, as built, contained eighteen roads/tracks for stabling trams, most of which are still in use. The shed also houses an electrical sub-station, from which the tramway is powered, and a tram maintenance compound on the west side of the building.
The tram shed was originally known as Kirby Hall in view of the fact that it was designed as a dual purpose building, capable of housing exhibitions in the rear half of the building, for which an entrance was provided in Kirby Road. This is the reason why the tram inspection pits only extend halfway into the building. Some trade exhibitions were held in the early days but this use of the shed was relatively short-lived.
Now known as Tramtown, it is from here that the iconic Blackpool heritage trams operate under the Heritage Tram Tours brand and is where regular depot tours take place.
The NTT Red Wheel heritage plaque was unveiled at a ceremony on Friday 10th March 2023
