Blackpool Boat car 233 has finally started its operating career in the USA, almost two years after departing its country of origin. The tram has been undergoing some modifications since arriving in America and has also repainted in its original green and cream livery, eradicating the minty shade of cream it wore at Beamish Museum during its brief stint of service there in 2012-13. However, 233 has not yet entered regular passenger service but is being used for crew training on a regular basis.
233‘s most prominent duty since departing the UK occurred on 31st July when it was used to officially open the new ‘E Line’ heritage service in San Francisco. This route has actually been available for use on special occasions but is now opening for regular tourist operation, initially at weekends although a new daily heritage service is expected to commence next year. Part of this route overlaps with the existing and popular ‘F Line’ between Fisherman’s Wharf (a very Fylde sounding name!) and the Ferry building, but this one continues to Caltrain where old and new trams mingle freely, again reminiscent of the new set-up in Blackpool.
On the occasion of the opening day Blackpool 233 was used to transport the dignitaries who attended the ceremony, with a more local PCC car also painted in green and cream also present. This duty is likely to be a one-off for 233 however, which is expected to ply its trade on the ‘F Line’ along with its sister car Blackpool 228 normally. Due to a reversing stub at Caltrain the new heritage route will only be worked by double-ended vehicles. Although the Boat cars should fit the bill perfectly, 233 has been modified in line with its sister to make the car suitable for access by wheelchairs. To accommodate the revised entrance platform and a suitable space for wheelchairs, made possible by the removal of some seats, one of its doors has been sealed off and therefore the tram can only load on one side, which effectively renders it single-ended.
It is a great shame that the tram has had to be modified in this manner. Although admittedly the alterations have been done as discreetly as possible, this tram was originally preserved on the eve of the Blackpool tramway upgrade to protect it from modernisation – and no doubt if Blackpool Transport adapted any of their remaining Boat cars in such a way, uproar would result. However, 233 will undoubtedly be a great asset and despite the unfortunate circumstances which led to its export it can now look forward to a long and bright future in San Francisco where hopefully it will do a good job of spreading the word about Blackpool’s wonderful vintage trams!