Although passenger numbers on Blackpool Transport’s new heritage tram tours have been quite disapointing so far this year, there are several signs that things are beginning to improve. This includes the news that the tours will run during the 2012 Totally Transport event despite fears they may be cancelled due to another event taking place that day, whilst the imminent return to service of two more trams will hopefully provide a welcome boost.
The weekend of Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th June is shaping up to an exciting one for the classic tram fleet in Blackpool. Saturday will see the much-anticipated launch of newly repainted Boat car 604, now sponsored by the George Formby Society, following its release from the workshops earlier this week. Images of Mr Formby have been applied to discs on the trolley tower, but to create some additional excitement for the grand unveiling, these have been covered up so anyone who has been lucky enough to spot 604 at Rigby Road will not yet have seen the full finished product. The actual ceremony is due to take place at North Pier at 2:00pm on June 9th, after which members of the sponsoring group will enjoy a special ceremonial trip on 604, playing ukuleles! It is then hoped that 604 will perform at least full round trip on the heritage service later the same day, so hopefully the weather will stay fine to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s very wet launch day for sister car 236/607 at Crich! Hopefully Blackpool Transport will be just as determined as the volunteers at Crich were, and allow the tram to run with normal fare-paying passengers whatever the weather.
Sunday 10th June should also be an interesting day as Centenary car 648 is due to make its first appearance on the heritage tours. This will be the first opportunity to ride on a member of this class since last November, and as it has been commissioned directly in response to requests from enthusiasts, it is to be hoped that its return to use will generate some extra custom that day.
Finally, more good news comes regarding the annual Totally Transport event on New South Promenade which is being held on Sunday 24th June. Even though a pop concert featuring McFly and The Wanted is taking place at the Tower Festival Headland, Bryan Lindop of Blackpool Transport has confirmed that the heritage tram service will definitely still run as normal on this day. The only date when this will be cancelled is actually just over a week earlier, when Sir Elton John will be singing at the same venue on June 16th. Although nothing extra special is planned to co-incide with the transport gala on New South Promenade involving the heritage trams, hopefully the event will entice extra visitors to the town, some of who may well be tempted to ride on the historic tramcars.
With passenger numbers reportedly improving, particularly on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June when the combination of fine weather and the use of the illuminated Western Train 733+734 encouraged more people to buy a heritage tour ticket, let us hope that the situation will continue to improve as the season progresses.