The next weekend of enhanced heritage tram operation in Blackpool will be on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June. This is a very special event as it will see traditional trams running to and from Starr Gate in passenger service. Previously this was done in conjunction with the Totally Transport event but when this was cancelled in 2015, the Starr Gate heritage service ran anyway – and this year it has been expanded to run on two days instead of just one!
An intensive timetabled service is set to operate with six different historic trams running on each day, providing a rare opportunity to see and ride on a wide variety of cars along New South Promenade. Each tram will also perform a full length Starr Gate to Fleetwood tour, with other runs to the usual range of destinations such as North Pier and Bispham. Trams will run to and from Starr Gate roughly every twenty minutes, although understandably there are some bigger gaps at lunchtime to allow for crew breaks, with the majority of the Fleetwood trips departing from Starr Gate at five minutes past the hour.
Keen to enable anyone planning a visit to consider their moves for the weekend, a detailed list of which trams are expected to run has already been provided – and very welcome it is too! Due to the rather changeable weather of late, different ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ options have been listed and a decision will be made on each day which plan to run with.
Subject to the usual factors, Saturday 18th June should see Centenary car 648, Twin set 675+685 and Balloon 700 in use. These will hopefully be joined by Marton 31 and Boat cars 227 and 230, but in the event of poor weather the open top trio will be replaced by Ex-Towing Railcoach 680 and Balloons 715 and 723.
On Sunday 19th June, Fleetwood Box 40 and Twin set 272+T2 are expected to run. If the weather is kind they should be joined by Marton 31, Bolton 66, and Boats 227 and 600. The wet weather alternative cars for the Sunday are Centenary 648 and three Balloons – 711, 715 and 723.
As usual there should be plenty to interest most enthusiasts across the weekend with a whole host of unusual workings and a good selection of trams to enjoy, with the planned use of car 700 being a nice surprise for Balloon car fans, as it hasn’t carried passengers since January. Hopefully the weather will be good and another excellent weekend of tram riding will ensue!
It is hoped to provide ‘live’ coverage on the British Trams Online Facebook page of this event – more details will be posted nearer to the time.
A taster of what will hopefully be seen at the weekend - weather permitting of course! Boat 227 is pictured near Harrowside during a recent private hire. This tram has never run to Starr Gate in public service post-upgrade, so hopefully the weather will be good enough for it to make an appearance! (Photo by Rob Bray)
Seems like a reasonable line up but no 631? Seems to have hardly done anything this year (for a change!). Good to see 680 out and about as it wasn’t there last Starr Gate running day, though I wonder if it should be out both days to maximise potential. That said, minor whinges from an enthusiast and it looks a great weekend. Can’t wait!!! And fantastic that BHTT and BTS can work this one between them, especially with the 10 minute service – really great.
Car 631 was out for one trip North Pier to Pleasure Beach and a round trip to cabin late afternoon on Saturday 11th June replacing balloon 715 which retired early at about 3.30pm with compressor problems at North Pier. Other cars out were 723 and 717 on ‘Tea Tram’ duties and running through to Fleetwood.
Yes it was but I’m referring to the advertised line up on an enthusiast orientated event which gives people the chance to decide which day to go for the cars they want!