Southport Post 3: The Pier Tram...

Hi there folks. This is the third and final post from Southport and, I suppose, somewhat obscure for this particular blog but oh well! The Southport Pier Tram operates atop its namesake for 1.1km! The modern, battery-operated tram works from the Main Pier Building right up to the Pier Head, on rails stretched to a gauge of 3ft 6": the original gauge when the line began in 1863. However, in 1950, the line was relaid to 1ft 11.5", returning to 3ft 6" when it was restored in 2002. The new tram (seen above), arrived in 2005 and has been running up and down the Pier ever since. Departures are made every 30 minutes from either end in the summer, saving appreciating members of the public from walking either all the way to the end OR all the way back (or both)! The Tram operates every day except Christmas Day though, in adverse weather, I can't see them taking it out there. The line, laid centrally on the pier, is unusal in the respect that the public are not stopped from walking along it; they are merely advised not to! The tram then makes its way slowly through the crowds of people! I'm very surprised that health and safety hasn't insisted on fences to protect the public but, if the tram takes its time, I see no problem in the current operating procedure. Looking along the Pier, the track is fairly uneven, riding up and down at various points. As the tram rumbles along, it isn't unusual to see it bobbing up and down by the head as it rides the humps and bumps! (A characteristic maybe?!). We didn't ride today but, even though its battery powered, it was interesting to see the Southport Pier Tram. Thanks folks, that's all for now. Goodbye...