The Blackpool illuminations may have been switched off for another year, but that certainly doesn’t mean the end of the activity for the illuminated tram fleet. An extra running day has been confirmed to coincide with the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights on Saturday 19th November, when two feature cars will be in use.
The Western Train 733+734 and Frigate 736 are set to be in use on heritage tours between 1200 and 1600 on this date, when the pair will operate between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham. Unlike normal illumination tours, it will be possible to board or alight at Pleasure Beach, Tower/North Pier, Cabin and Bispham. The third operational feature car, Trawler 737, is set to attend the switching on of the Fleetwood Christmas lights later the same day and will perform a single run from the heritage stop at Tower/North Pier to Fisherman’s Walk, Fleetwood. This will depart at about 1530 and anyone who has purchased a heritage day ticket will be able to ride on this journey at no extra charge. In addition, a few private hires are expected to operate the same weekend so there should be a good heritage tram presence on the tramway.
Even that won’t be the end of the operational year for the illuminated cars as Santa Specials will return to operate on 10th, 17th & 24th December. Full details are not yet confirmed but the Western Train 733+734 will presumably feature as per last year, with additional heritage trams expected to run a shuttle service between Pleasure Beach and Bispham. In addition, Blackpool Transport and Heritage Tram Tours have teamed up with the owners of the Tower to offer a special joint package in the run-up to Christmas. The Tower’s ‘Christmas Wonderland’ is being held on 23rd December offering a whole host of festive activities inside the world famous ballroom, and as a bonus ticket holders can ‘add on’ a ride aboard the Western Train to complete their day. This is a particularly welcome way to attract more people to enjoy the heritage experience, and hopefully joint ventures such as this will become commonplace as the heritage operation establishes itself as a key part of the Blackpool tourism experience!