Following an enforced four-day absence due to defective points at the Pleasure Beach loop, it is pleasing to report that the heritage tram tours in Blackpool resumed on Wednesday 1st August, when Brush Railcoach 631 and Balloon 717 were in use. However, the previous few days had been anything but dull with some of the rebuilt double-deck cars making some rare appearances in ordinary service.
Following the use of four widened double-deckers on Saturday 28th July, when an incident on New South Promenade resulted in all but one of the Flexity2 supertrams trapped at Starr Gate during the morning, further use was made of these cars, now commonly known as the ‘B Fleet’. 700 and 709 were both used again on Sunday 29th July, when both cars were utilised as oridnary specials, using the crews who should have manned the heritage tours that day. Due to the non-availability of the Pleasure Beach as a terminal point, most southbound journeys were unsually terminated at Foxhall.
Further interest came on Tuesday 31st July when an impressive four ‘B Fleet’ trams were out on specials, with the highlight being the passenger debut for 2012 of car 707. This tram, along with 713, had spent several weeks inside the new depot at Starr Gate, but was transferred back to Rigby Road on Monday 30th July allowing both trams to run on the following day, along with 700 and 709. It is understood that some of these trams used the Pleasure Beach loop towards the end of the afternoon, once the points had been repaired and declared fit for use. Hopefully the fact that four rebuilt Balloons were used on this day may suggest that these trams will continue to appear now the heritage service has resumed, and that extra crews will be made available on occasions so that more trams can run.
The return of the heritage tours is undoubtedly very welcome, as the points failure was terribly timed as it came soon after the start of the school summer holidays. Hopefully better weather in the weeks ahead will encourage more people to sample a vintage tram ride, justifying the continued role of these cars on the upgraded tramway. Whilst Blackpool Transport have received some criticism for cancelling the tours for four days, rather than amending the advertised route, it must be emphasised that the company has many rules and regulations it must follow when operating trams that do not comply with modern accessibility laws. The heritage tram operation is certainly not as simple as it looks to the casual observer, and so it is probably best to be thankful that BTS run these tours at all, rather than criticise them for what turned out to be a short period of upheaval.
Blackpool will never be the same again, and has little to visit for now. The only reason possibly to visit for is the B fleet and a couple of the heritage fleet, but with these used erratically its not worth risking a 230 mile round trip on the off chance. I can do a 60 mile round trip and use the more historic and interesting Stagecoach Supertram fleet in Sheffield and at least be sure of riding an “older” tram or 100 mile round trip to sample similar “trams” to Blackpool’s in Nottingham……
RIP Blackpool Tramway pure vandalism of a truly historic, unique and irreplaceable piece of British Transport history.
Ashley – if that’s what you think of the Blackpool upgrade then I dread to think what you would have made of the wanton destruction of the once fine tramway systems of London, Glasgow, Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham etc. I could argue the point all day but ultimately, the Blackpool tramway could have headed in one of three directions: modernise to become a proper public transport system fit for the 21st century, become a seasonal tourist attraction (which would still have meant getting rid of many trams and perhaps even closing the line to Fleetwood), or complete closure. I feel that the option chosen was absolutely the right one – and the vast increase in passenger numbers suggests that many people agree. At least some historic trams have been retained, and you can also ride on classic Blackpool trams at places like Crich, Heaton Park and Beamish.
I agree, Andrew. I can remember as long ago as the 1960s council discussions about possible complete closure of the tramway due to it losing money. The problem is that we have been spoilt, and even for those of us approaching retirement the likes of the rail coaches and balloons have been one of the few things that have been constant as far back as we can remember! But how much longer could trams over 70 years old be expected to carry on running a daily year-round service, as opposed to a seasonal, limited hours museum line. As you say we have to be grateful for the heritage service.
Absolutely spot on Andrew. The likes of Ashley of course expect to be able to turn up in Blackpool perhaps twice a year and ride the rail coaches and balloons for an hour or two with no appreciation of the costs or implications of keeping them going. As you say it was modernise or close.
How he can claim Sheffield Supertram is historic I cannot comprehend and I am sure that Stagecoach Supertram and SYPTE would not appreciate being tagged historic.