Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have decided to capitalise on this year’s ‘Ride the Lights’ event on Tuesday 1st September, with a special illuminations tour being offered on Frigate 736. As has become an annual tradition in Blackpool, a preview of the illuminations is available a few days before the big switch-on with the promenade closed to all road traffic except cycles – and of course, the trams will be running throughout!
Other than a Fylde Tramway Society tour a few years ago, ‘Ride the Lights’ has never been recognised by Blackpool Transport with anything special but, highlighting the ‘can do’ attitude of the strengthened heritage team, it has been decided to run a one-off tour of the lights on the evening of September 1st using one of the famous illuminated trams. Frigate 736 will be departing from Pleasure Beach at 2000 with a single circular tour running to Little Bispham and then back to Pleasure Beach. Adult fares are just £5 with concessions at £3, making this cheaper than a normal illuminations tour, and a perfect way to view the lights for the first time this year and enjoy a ride on a tram which hasn’t carried passengers yet in 2015. Although it is a shame that so little notice has been given, as many people staying in Blackpool for the Bank Holiday weekend would have probably extended their holiday had it been announced sooner, this is a very welcome addition to the year’s heritage tram events and hopefully it will set a precedent for future years.
The last time that 'HMS Blackpool' carried passengers was on a private hire last December; here it is seen emerging from the depot on that occasion. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)