As the majority of readers to this website will probably be well aware there are two Blackpool Boat cars in San Francisco running on the historic F-line. One of these was, of course, the subject of British Trams Online sponsorship a few years ago when under the ownership of the Lancastrian Transport Trust and was then sold to San Francisco to join their fleet although you may be relieved to know that this article is not concerning 233 and we won’t be going into that whole sorry saga this time! No this time we are concentrating on 228 which has been in San Francisco since 1984 and is a popular member of the historic fleet there.
These photos show 228 in action on 6th June doing what Boat Cars do best – running with full loads in warm sunny weather!
All Photographs by Simon Carter
I’ve asked this question before, but have never had an answer. 228 carries a blue ‘access’ sign and I am interested to know how this is achieved, can anyone tell me? It is easy to make a reasonable guess but actual facts would be of interest.
As I understand it, the modifications effectively make it single ended/single sided operationally, so if anyone is thinking the same mods could be done to the cars remaining in Blackpool, afraid not, because it would restrict them to running loop to loop only…
This is correct, it has become basically single ended. For San Fransisco this is not a problem, as many of their trams are single ended so have to run loop to loop.
Understand pre heritage era systems were looked at briefly. Suspect to adhere to much more stringent accessibility laws would look much more evasive. Would have sort of Fat Door style porch.
There is a manually operated wheelchair ramp installed in the central area. There are also some modifications to the floor, and one side of the internal partitions between the entrance area and one saloon has been removed to give the required space for the wheelchair.