The final ‘gold’ operating weekend for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours took place on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November, and as usual each day featured a regular service operated by six trams. Understandably for the time of year, the weather was bitterly cold but despite that there was some sunshine and an interesting selection of cars in use, with the Balloons out in force!
For many years the Balloon class were confined to seasonal use with passenger workings in winter being extremely rare, but thanks to the innovation of these ‘Winter Gold’ events this year, they are now more common – ironically in the light rail era!
Sub-zero temperatures on Saturday 26th November led to the day’s heritage service being operated exclusively by trams fitted with heaters. With a few key enclosed cars out of action, three members of the B Fleet were used to make up the numbers – these being 700, 718 and 719. Also in use were Balloon cars 717 and 723, whilst Centenary car 648 broke the Balloon stronghold and offered a welcome reminder of the recent past when this tram and its sisters ruled the winter service. The use of 719 was especially welcome as this represented its first daytime use with passengers this year, and despite its bad reputation for frequently breaking down the car performed very well, as indeed it did when used on illuminations tours. This tram worked the last Fleetwood tour of the afternoon, giving a rare opportunity to enjoy a top deck ride from Fleetwood back south after dark.
Sunday 27th November was slightly milder (but only slightly!) allowing some more unusual trams to run, and thus the day’s output comprised Box 40, Railcoach 680 and Balloons 701, 715, 717 and 723. All went well apart from car 723 having to be run in with a defect, with 700 taking its place. The final heritage service of 2016 to Fleetwood Ferry was worked by Balloon 717, an appropriate choice as it has been a stalwart of the heritage operation this year.
That isn’t quite the end of the year for heritage trams in Blackpool though, as Santa Specials will run Saturdays 10th, 17th & 24th December – and then further ‘Winter Gold’ weekends take place on 28th & 29th January, 25th & 26th February, and 25th & 26th March.
Despite the biting cold there was plenty of sunshine on Saturday 26th November - as can be seen in this view showing similar liveried Balloon cars 719 and 700 at Pleasure Beach.
Late afternoon sun puts the spotlight on Box car 40 the following day, with 700 behind. (Photos by Rob Bray)