In recent years the annual Fleetwood Festival of Transport – more commonly known as Tram Sunday to many people – has regained something of its reputation as an important date in the tram enthusiasts’ calendar. Aside from the festival itself, the rejuvenated heritage tram operation has seen this event boast an extensive heritage output, and this year looks like it could well be the best yet!
As has become the norm, it isn’t just the festival day itself that is worth attending as a two-day ‘gold’ heritage event is planned for the weekend of Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th July, details of which are now available courtesy of Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours. Saturday 15th could well be the best day of the two, with no less than eight heritage trams scheduled to operate, and an incredible eighteen timetabled trips to Fleetwood over the course of the day! In fact, for most of the day there will be a 20 minute heritage tram service between Pleasure Beach and Fleetwood, from 1000 and 1600 – the only exception being a short gap for lunchtime, with the 1240 departure from Pleasure Beach terminating at Cleveleys. Some trams are expected to run to the northern terminus three times that day, so for anyone who likes riding on trams over a long distance or photographing the traditional fleet in the town of Fleetwood, this is the day for you! Indeed, this must be the most frequent provision of traditional UK-built tramcars in Fleetwood since 2009!
Turning attention now to Tram Sunday itself, on 16th July and again trams will be running every 20 minutes between Pleasure Beach and Fleetwood from 1000 to 1600 – albeit this time turning short at Fisherman’s Walk with the tramway closed through the streets of Fleetwood. In addition, some more trams are expected to be on static display near to the Ferry terminus to provide further interest, complementing the other vintage vehicles on display. With plenty of trade stalls and family attractions, there is something to cater for most tastes and this year’s festival is sure to be as popular as ever.
There has been a repetition in the heritage service in Blackpool so far this year which makes the innovation of the next event all the more welcome. Hopefully, tram fans will come en mass to enjoy this intensive service to Fleetwood and justify the efforts that are being made to put on what should be a fantastic weekend!