PRINCESS ALICE TO VISIT HEATON PARK! 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for tram loans and probably one of the best has now been announced - Blackpool Balloon 706 (Princess Alice) is to be the mystery guest tram at the Heaton Park Tramway for their Blackpool event on Sunday 21st November.
The tram is visiting Manchester – becoming the first Open Top Balloon to operate outside Blackpool ever! – to star in Heaton Park’s “A Celebration of Blackpool’s Trams and Transport” on Sunday 21st November. The event takes place between 1000 and 1800 and highlights of the day will include 4 trams out and about on the tramway, “Trams in the Dark”, a display of Blackpool tram models within the Museum, an illuminated tram and preserved Blackpool buses visiting and operating around the park. These will be on loan from the Lancastrian Transport Trust.
It is planned that 706 will arrive in Manchester on the Friday (19th November) and stay until the Monday (22nd November). In addition to the event on the Sunday a number of other events will be planned over the weekend involving 706 including a number of photo charters with interested groups.
MTMS Chairman Alex Gray said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the end of Blackpool’s 125th year in our own way, by operating one of Blackpool’s most iconic Trams – an open top 1930’s streamliner. We are most grateful to Blackpool Transport for affording us this opportunity and hope that the public also show their appreciation by coming and riding on it!”
To raise money for 706’s visit to Heaton Park for a unique and unmissable occasion they need your help. A target of £3000 has been set to give Blackpool Tramway’s 125th anniversary celebrations a truly memorable ending. Any donations would be gratefully received and can be sent to:
MTMS Further details can be found on the official website or from John Whitehouse on 01282 436802 or by email at j.d.whitehouse2@tesco.net
Alice will become the first double deck tram to operate on the Heritage Tramway and in the process will become the fifth Blackpool tram to operate there. The others are Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 (on loan from Crich 1980-1988), Blackpool Boat 225 (aka 600 - 1985-1997), Railgrinder 752 (from 2008) and Replica Vanguard 619 (due to arrive summer 2010 in exchange for Manchester 765).
Source: John Whitehouse - Operations and Commercial Manager, Heaton Park Tramway
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 7th February 2010
14 Buttermere Road
Burnley
Lancashire
BB10 4HU
Balloon 706 is to visit the Heaton Park Tramway for one weekend only in November! The tram will be there to play a starring role in their 21st November "A Celebration of Blackpool's Trams and Transport". This view shows Princess Alice approaching Manchester Square whilst operarting specials on 12th September 2009.
Photo: Gareth Prior