The Blackpool tramway may now be in the depths of winter, but the illuminated Western Train 733+734 recently provided a welcome break from the mediocrity of nothing but Flexities running each day, by performing an unusual private charter. The ever-popular feature car is also set to appear on ‘Santa Specials’ over the next few weekends, providing a rare chance to ride on a historic tram in winter.
The interest began for 733+734 on the evening of Monday 3rd December when they left depot, fully illuminated, and headed to Rossall School where a private party boarded at a specially erected temporary stop. The Train then continued to Fleetwood Ferry – its first visit to the northern terminus since summer 2009, and indeed the first illuminated tram to travel to Fleetwood in the light rail era. As if this wasn’t exciting enough, the Train then returned to depot, only to reappear later the same evening for a return run, meaning that it ran to Fleetwood twice in one night, before heading back to Rigby Road after midnight!
Although the general public were unable to enjoy the novelty of a ride to Fleetwood on the illuminated train on this occasion, the tram will be operating for the benefit of all before the end of the year. Blackpool Transport have now confirmed that they plan to operate ‘Santa Specials’ every weekend from now until Christmas, and the Train will inagurate this new venture on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th December. Tours are scheduled to depart from Pleausure Beach loop at 10:00am, 11:30am and 2:00pm on the days that they run, and will operate as far north as Little Bispham, as per the summer heritage tours. A round trip is priced at £5 for adults and a rather hefty £10 for children, although this does include a complimentary gift vouchers. Crews are expected to be in appropriate festive attire to add further novelty value. However, unfortunately to participate, would-be passengers must book a seat in advance, which is likely to result in some very lightly-loaded tours. If BTS want the venture to be a success, they should really have promoted it much earlier, and inisiting on advance booking will seriously limit its appeal. How many passers-by would be tempted to ride on the beautiful Western Train, only to find that they cannot board unless they have already purchased a ticket?
Despite these valid criticisms, it is to hoped that the festive tram tours will achieve enough success to warrant a repeat of the exercise next year, hopefully with better promotion and a less strict ticketing policy.
The Western Train is seen loading up at Pleasure Beach on a typical illuminations evening in September 2012. Soon, winter visitors and Blackpool residents will be able to bask in the warm glow of the Train when it appears on Santa Specials. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)
Sorry to be nit-picking, but did you perhaps means “the monotony of nothing but Flexities” rather than “mediocrity”? I don’t think it would be fair to describe Blackpool’s Flexities as mediocre!