Here we go again...

My tramway modelling currently includes 00 gauge (progressing nicely, if slowly), N scale (currently held up by the non arrival of my Tomix wide tram track from Japan, G scale (scaling back since the line's outside in the garden, ground level and the soil's already waterlogged for Winter), plus O9 (a Gnomy tram on a Bachmann N chassis, which comes out each Christmas. This year it'll use the Tomix tram track, an improvement on the Peco curves of previous years - if the Tomix arrives before Christmas - see above...).

For inspiration, relatively locally (at least the kind of distances that people in the US or Australia would consider local) we have the modern tramways in Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham, plus the wonderful Crich museum. And Heaton Park not too much further on, with a growing fleet of 'proper' Blackpool trams, which is more than their hometown can muster these days...

Ah yes, Blackpool - until recently, my favourite destination - sun, sea, chips and unique, classic tramcars, carrying the masses the length of the Fylde coast. Now swept away in a tide of modernisation that fails to recognise that most of the journeys were undertaken by holidaymakers, for whom the old double deck clunkers were an attraction in themselves. Sadly the council seem unaware of the numerous successful heritage operations around the world, such as San Francisco and Lisbon to name but two. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out once the new Flexities arrive.

To finish, here's a couple of views of my favourite spot on the tramway, the southern turning loop at Starr Gate, firstly with a Balloon car waiting to head north through the Illuminations.

 And finally, a little of the character - think English seaside, stick of rock, George Formby - that will inevitably disappear when the line is rebuilt to modern, clinical standards.