Blackpool heritage running days for 2017 revealed

There may be a little bit of 2016 left, but that has not stopped the operators of Blackpool’s Heritage Tram Tours from planning ahead with a full schedule of planned operating dates for 2017 now available on their website. This includes all of the enhanced running days and events for next year, and these are detailed below.

The plan is largely the same as 2016, but the regular weekend heritage ‘blue’ service (which usually sees two trams operating between Pleasure Beach and North Pier with some extra journeys to Cabin) will start much earlier in the year – from the end of January in fact. Another change is the addition of a new event called ‘Totally Models’ in June which coincides with the now annual Starr Gate running weekend. In addition, the popular tramway anniversary event returns in September and this will no doubt be a major highlight of the year.

Here is a basic month-by-month guide to when the heritage trams will be operating in Blackpool during 2017:

January – Gold service on 28th & 29th.

February – Blue service every weekend, Gold service plus TLRS model events on 25th & 26th.

March – Blue service every weekend, Gold service on 25th & 26th.

April – Blue service daily from 1st to 14th and 18th to 23rd inclusive, Gold service on 15th, 16th & 17th (Easter weekend), 29th & 30th (May Day Bank Holiday weekend).

May – Blue service Saturdays & Sundays, and daily from 20th. Gold service on 1st, 28th, 29th & 30th.

June – Blue service on 1st & 2nd, then every weekend. Gold service with ‘Totally Models’ event and heritage trams to Starr Gate on 24th & 25th.

July – Blue service operating daily. Gold service on 15th & 16th (‘Tram Sunday’ weekend with special service to Fisherman’s Walk on Sunday 16th).

August – Blue service operating daily. Gold service on 26th, 27th & 28th (August Bank Holiday weekend).

September – Blue service on Saturdays & Sundays. Enhanced Gold service on 23rd & 24th (Anniversary Spectacular). Illuminations Tours nightly.

October – Blue service at weekends and then daily from 16th, plus Illuminations Tours nightly.

November – Blue service and Illuminations Tours daily from 1st to 5th inclusive. Gold service on 25th & 26th.

December – Red service/Santa Specials on 9th, 16th & 23rd.

Note that these dates may be subject to change.

As ever, such an extensive service is only possible thanks to the dedicated volunteers who assist with the heritage operation. Hopefully 2017 will be another great year for the heritage fleet and we look forward to enjoying the action next year!

 

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7 Responses to Blackpool heritage running days for 2017 revealed

  1. Mark says:

    Is there anything planned for the Brush Car anniversary?

    • Andrew Waddington says:

      Bryan Lindop did mention that the Brush cars’ 80th anniversary would be celebrated in the recent statement about 621’s return, but no date has been given. I would guess it would be incorporated into one of the other special events.

  2. Ste says:

    I can’t help but think that the blue service is starting a bit early in the year considering the February and early March weather we normally get.
    is there any information on what Totally Models is? i presume its not a beauty contest!

    • Paul D says:

      It is a Model Tramways Show!
      Not sure if the venue is supposed to be public knowledge yet or if it is included in the press release Andrew has, but it is proposed for a location of tramway interest…

      • John says:

        Correct it is a model Tram show which I am organising. The exact location is still being discussed but it will be at Rigby Road. There will be layouts static exhibits and trade support. Plus a few other surprises.

    • Christopher Callan says:

      I do understand and accept the broad direction of travel when it comes to attempting to extend the core season. Have alluded to this before but it is my sincere hope that the out of season itinerary is developed and extended to create a range of none enthusiast focused offerings as well (beyond Santa). Hopefully a relationship can blossom between the likes of the The Blackpool Tower & Winter Gardens Blackpool and other attractions & establishments that sees packaged and inter working right across the whole year. Hopefully Winter Gold is part of the wider jigsaw in that respect. Its certainly noticeable the Gold Weekends are attracting increasing numbers of ordinary members of the public as well (which can only be a good thing).

      Suppose the argument for deploying the blue timetable early is its ensuring visible presence throughout the year to get the help break down the misconception that the traditional trams no longer grace the prom. Do take your point regarding weather though its certainly can be rather unforgiving time of year. I would say there is more obvious areas to expand & develop on that would be more financially rewarding. Absolutely convinced potential to develop the lights offering at peaks like tours from the Tower & Heritage Evening Service (Particularly October Half Term). Likewise 3rd Car on some of the Blue days (either through the form of a special) offer upgraded blue timetable when the weather is good (upgrade it to Purple).

  3. Michael says:

    Bearing in mind that the core Heritage Service is between North Pier and Pleasure Beach, there must also be potential to develop some sort of joint ticketing with the Pleasure Beach venue e.g. Money off the admission price on production of a heritage ticket, adding a heritage ticket to the Pleasure beach advance booking etc. The pleasure Beach company were also regular sponsors of all-over tram adverts, perhaps they could again be persuaded to sponsor the return to service of another heritage tram in all-over pleasure beach livery!

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