In Pictures: Birthday Boating

The demand for private hires involving Blackpool’s heritage trams continues to increase with one particularly interesting hire taking place on Saturday 4th June. On this date, Boat 227 was hired by an enthusiast for a novel birthday celebration and operated a full system tour, including two historic runs to Starr Gate.

As far as records show, 227 had not previously run to the southern terminus since the tramway upgrade and its subsequent repaint into the attractive 1920s-inspired red and cream livery it currently wears. Boat cars south of Pleasure Beach were considered a rarity long before the light rail era and with prototype 600 also visiting Starr Gate on a private charter less than a week earlier, these rare journeys were very welcome. Unlike 600, 227‘s trolley behaved itself impeccably despite being less than familiar with the complex overhead lines at the south end of the tramway, showing that trolley-fitted cars can and do operate successfully on the modernised system the vast majority of the time. Further novelty value came as that day’s heritage service was operated by Boat cars 230 and 600, meaning that all three Boats remaining in Blackpool were out on the same day. Hopefully this will happen more frequently this summer as these trams remain as popular as ever with enthusiasts and tourists alike, and can usually be relied on to bring in the cash for the heritage operation!

Boat 227 stops for the cameras on New South Promenade whilst making its way towards Starr Gate on the afternoon of June 4th.

Sister Boats 227 (on private hire) and 600 (on heritage service) pass at North Pier, showing off their similar liveries in red and green variants.

As the day progressed it became sunnier, as evidenced by this view of 227 on Pharos Street. This was its second visit to Fleetwood of the day.

One last look at the red Boat at Cleveleys making its way back south. (All photos by Rob Bray)