Outline plans have now been revealed for the highly anticipated weekend event celebrating 130 years of the Blackpool tramway in September, and this looks set to be the most ambitious and impressive event in the modern era so far by some distance! As well as having all of the serviceable heritage cars in action on both days, other exciting plans include some unusual photo opportunities and, for the first time ever, the chance to visit both tram depots in the same day! Read on to find out more…
On Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September, Blackpool Transport’s Heritage Tram Tours will deliver an absolute feast of historic trams which no enthusiast will want to miss. It is planned to have ALL operational passenger cars in the heritage fleet in service on both days, including the illuminated feature cars, and between trips the trams will be rested on the loops at Pleasure Beach, creating numerous impromptu photographic opportunities. Presumably crews will swap between trams to ensure the maximum possible output is achieved. Those trams which are currently incapable of running will not be left out however, and both days will see a different line-up of stored cars and engineering vehicles on Blundell Street.
The level of service operating over the weekend looks set to be something to beat all previous efforts, with a twenty minute daytime heritage service operating from Pleasure Beach, as well as departures every half hour from Starr Gate and Fleetwood, providing the entire length of the tramway with a very intensive heritage tram service. Star attractions should include visiting Ex-Towing car 680 from the Heaton Park Tramway, and an immaculate Twin set 675+685 in 1970s style green and cream livery. This Twin car will be launched back into service on Saturday 26th September, and its first passenger working since 2011 will be the 1100 tour from Pleasure Beach running all the way to Fleetwood. There may also be a surprise in store although we have been warned that it may look a bit scruffy – very intriguing!
As if all that main line action wasn’t exciting enough, both days will also offer a rare chance to see behind the scenes at both of the tram depots on the upgraded system, with guided tours available on the hour throughout both days at each site. In addition, a special extra heritage service will operate between Rigby Road and Starr Gate depots via North Pier, to allow visitors to travel between the two locations, and this will offer not only a ride along Hopton Road onto the promenade but also the novelty of a ride through the wash plant at Starr Gate! This has only ever happened before on private hires so represents another very welcome innovation to the heritage operation. Please note that visits to the two depots will be limited and places can be reserved in advance for an additional fee; details will follow shortly.
The programme of events is completed by a series of vintage bus tours, using preserved Blackpool buses to travel around some long-lost inland tram routes in the town. There will also be a special range of limited edition merchandise on sale including mugs, glasswear, caps and much more to suit all tastes and pockets!
Despite the incredible amount that is on offer, the normal heritage tour fares will still apply with a £10 adult day pass available covering the heritage tram service plus all normal tram and bus services and the evening illumination tours as well! An extra charge of £5 will apply to the depot tours and connecting tram ride including going through the Starr Gate tram wash.
All involved in compiling this remarkable programme of activities deserves a huge ‘thank-you’ and the 130th anniversary weekend looks set to be the must-see tram event of 2015. Since reading what is planned my mouth has not stopped watering and the number of exclamation marks used in this article has probably broken some sort of record for this website, which I hope is mirrored by the reaction from the wider enthusiast community! The weekend should be the crowning glory of a triumphant year for Blackpool’s heritage trams and is another undeniable sign that the old fleet are definitely here to stay!
A taster of what to expect in September with a look back at the Blackpool 125 events in 2010, and a busy scene at Pleasure Beach the sort of which should be common during the 130th anniversary weekend. Boat 600 and 'Princess Alice' 706 should be in use again although Coronation 660 (just visible behind 706) is currently inactive, however it should be visible at Rigby Road. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)
This is going to be Brilliant!! What a prospect for all tram enthusiasts! My mouth is already watering! Got my hotel booked, cannot wait!
Breathtakingly good. September represents a chance to make real statement that Blackpool is the ultimate home of the heritage tram movement and can and will help swell support for the trusts aspirations to establish a premier visitor attraction along side the tours operation. So much to digest.
So much for all the prophets of doom who 3 years ago were telling us that BTS were not allowed in any way to vary the heritage services or to put temporary stops in addition to the basic few. All it needed was for someone with vision to be put in charge! Anyway that is all in the past now thankfully. Every time we think that Brian and co. can’t do any better he proves us wrong. This will be a spectacular event, no doubt about it.
looks like being even bigger than the 125 year celebrations am really looking forward to the event good look to the organisers have great event.
What would really crown the weekend would be a vintage display somewhere along the system.
My own open top PD2 roamed the prom in 2010.
Any chance guys???
See Paragraph 5 above Frank…
Vintage buses are already in the plans. If you think you can add more to the event (and assuming you have the appropriate licences), call BT and offer your services!
So what’s this scruffy surprise? How scruffy is OMO 8?
If it’s not that, my other guess would be 676/686.
Any one know when ticketing details etc will be announced?
You can pre-book tickets for the depot tours now by calling Emma at Blackpool Transport on 01253 209521. Tickets for this must be bought in advance and they cost £5 which covers a tour of both depots and a special connecting tram service which also runs through the Starr Gate wash plant and around the loop – bargain!
As for the rest of the events, the fares are the same as any other heritage running day.
Should be there for the Saturday.
Any idea the best time to get hold of Emma ? Been trying to call the past couple of days and the phone just rings out, not going to voicemail or anything.
I tried this morning and got straight through to Emma – very helpful. Suggest you try again.