Southend Pier Tramway

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

Designs for new trains/trams announced: https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/1834/proposed_designs_revealed_for_new_pier_trains

[eightf48544]

         On board Wi-Fi
         USB charging points

Why?

[grahame]

         On board Wi-Fi
         USB charging points

Why?

Because if Liverpool can have them - Right on track! New Merseyrail train heads for city with wifi and phone charging points - Southend must too 

[rogerpatenall]

What about a proper buffet?

[Surrey 455]

         On board Wi-Fi
         USB charging points

Why?

You'll probably boost your phones battery by about 1% on that short journey and by the time you've navigated the wifi login screen it's probably time to get off. 

[grahame]

From the Basildon Standard

SOUTHEND Pier is set to re-open on Monday, July 6 - but no trains will be in operation and people will have to follow a one-way system to keep safe.

The world’s longest pleasure pier has been out of use since lockdown for the Coronavirus pandemic began back in March.

With further easing of lockdown announced by the Prime Minister, including reduction to 1 metre-plus when social distancing, the council named the re-opening date as July 6.

and ...

Cllr Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, said: “When people visit Southend, they want the whole experience – fish and chips, fun at the arcades and attractions, and a trip down the world’s longest pleasure pier.

“I am delighted to say we can now welcome visitors back to the pier, although not without a rigorous cleaning schedule, and other measures to ensure all visitors can safely enjoy the pier.

“Unfortunately, we cannot run pier train services at this time given the challenges associated with social distancing on the trains.

"We will, however, continue to monitor Government advice and we aim to have the trains back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.

[Electric train]

         On board Wi-Fi
         USB charging points

Why?

Because its Essex 

[grahame]

From the Basilodon, Canvey and Southend echo

An "extremely" reduced train service is running on Southend Pier, bosses have announced.

Bosses have revealed an extremely reduced pier train service is running due to "technical problems".

They are working to rectify the situation by using the limited passenger space in the tram to transport pre-booked boat passengers.

However, anyone else wanting to go up the pier by tram could now face long waiting times until the main train is back in action.

As far as I can read it, they have just one proper train on the line, which is out of order, and some sort of maintenance "tram" that can take passengers.    I looked through the comments on the article and although they were educational, they did not educate me on this tram thing - more on the local views ...

[grahame]

As far as I can read it, they have just one proper train on the line, which is out of order, and some sort of maintenance "tram" that can take passengers.    I looked through the comments on the article and although they were educational, they did not educate me on this tram thing - more on the local views ...

Story continues this morning - (here)

OLD diesel trains have been pulled out of retirement to ferry passengers along Southend Pier following continued technical problems with the new models.

Both of Southend’s two new electric trains have been taken out of service as specialists work to identify and fix issues.

On Tuesday, the new trains broke down with Southend Council’s forced to turn to one of the older blue diesel models to keep the pier’s rail services running – but at a reduced service.