Wind gusts of up to 80mph battered Blackpool promenade on Thursday 23rd February, resulting in delays to the core tram service with LRVs operating at a lower speed than normal for safety reasons. The day’s heritage service was also cancelled entirely, the first time that this has ever happened due to adverse weather – although in fairness this is the first year that such a regular service has operated so early!
Railcoach 680 and Balloon 719 actually made it onto the promenade in the morning, before being recalled back to the sanctuary of Rigby Road depot as the true severity of ‘Storm Doris’ hit home. However, remarkably the following day was like a new season – with bright sunshine and the wind had dropped! The heritage service therefore was able to resume, picking up where it had left off with cars 680 and 719 in traffic. Although the use of the modified Balloon cars in inclement weather has been understandable of late, as their modern saloon heaters make them an attractive prospect for a winter tram ride, the use of 719 on such a nice sunny day was perhaps a little disappointing, especially as it is not expected to run for the weekend’s ‘Gold’ service’, when more enthusiasts who may appreciate its novelty value are likely to be in town. Nonetheless, it was good to see the old trams back in action – good riddance Doris!