Corgi OM43512 Blackpool Balloon Tram – Little Italy Pleasure Beach

Company archival records date back to 1884 when the original track plans were drawn up for an electric tramway to run between Cocker Street at North Shore to Dean Street at South Shore, a distance of two miles. Blackpool Corporation paid for and was responsible for the trackbed, the track and paving, whilst The Blackpool Electric Tramway Company provided the electrical equipment, depot and tramcars. The tramway was actually opened on the 29th September 1885. By the late 1890’s the difficulties with the Conduit system led to the conversion of the tramway to the overhead wire system, which is still in use today. Since bus deregulation in 1986, the Trams and buses have been operated by Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. The tramway track-work and infrastructure are currently owned by Blackpool Council and leased to the Company, while the trams themselves are owned and run by Blackpool Transport.