As if enhanced ‘Gold’ operating weekends nearly every month from Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours weren’t enough to keep fans of the classic Blackpool tram fleet happy, details have just been announced of two additional events happening in the next few weeks. These are an expanded day of the heritage promenade service on 28th & 29th April, and a special tour with Fleetwood Box 40 and Brush Railcoach 630 on Saturday 19th May.
This weekend sees the 64th UK Coach Rally, and to capitalise on this, the heritage operation will be expanded with four trams running instead of the usual two, on both Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Trams will run roughly every twenty minutes between Pleasure Beach and Bispham throughout both days, with a temporary heritage tram stop placed opposite the Imperial Hotel to serve the rally itself. Although the trams to be used have not been announced in full yet, one car is expected to be Box 40 – which will hopefully be making its debut for the year in normal passenger service, having survived its encounter with the Incredible Hulk earlier this year!
Box 40 will also feature on a special tram tour on 19th May. This is primarily a farewell tour for Brush car 630 before it returns to the Crich Tramway Village, and has been organised by the Tramway Museum Society, who own both trams. Originally open solely to TMS members, anyone can now join the tour; to join in please email the tour organiser peter.whiteley.tms@gmail.com with your name and a contact telephone number. Tickets cost £15 which includes a tour of the Rigby Road workshops, and all proceeds will be split between the Blackpool Heritage Trust, and the Blackpool 298 restoration fund, which is raising money to complete the restoration of this 1937 ‘Art Deco’ Brush Railcoach for operation at Crich. The event will start at 1130 at Rigby Road, with payment to be made on the day, although reserving a place in advance is requested as limited seats are available.