As has been widely publicised Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 is to leave Blackpool after almost 23 years (save for a short period back at Crich in 2014) at some point in March but before it goes it will see extensive use on Heritage Tram Tours – including a special farewell tour on Saturday 2nd March.
With daily Heritage Tram Tours currently running – thanks to the February Half Term school holidays – it is planned that 40 will be used on each day up to and including Friday 22nd February alongside a second tram running along the Prom every 20 minutes between 1000 and 1700. On most days the second tram is due to be either a Balloon Car or Standard 147 but on Friday 15th February with fine, sunny weather Boat 227 made its first appearance of 2019!
Box 40 will then be used on both days of the Winter Gold weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February before its farewell tour on Saturday 2nd March. Exact details of the tour have yet to be announced but it has been confirmed it will be a full system tour and will run all day.
It is expected that the tram will depart Blackpool during March, heading initially to Beamish where it will remain until late August. Following this it will head back to Crich for another period of operation.