As we might have mentioned a few times in recent weeks, Blackpool & Fleetwood 40’s time in Blackpool is nearly at an end with its usage on standard Heritage Tram Tours coming to an end on Sunday 24th February. But that wasn’t the end of its running on the tramway as over the past few days there have been two special farewell tours – one on behalf of the Friends of 40 Group and the other a special Farewell Tour where 40 covered the tramway one last time.
The Friends of 40 tour was a simple out and back trip between Rigby Road Depot and Fleetwood, departing Hopton Road at 1200. 40 ran directly to Fleetwood where it took a break to allow participants to enjoy a buffet lunch in the North Euston Hotel. Once this was over the tram then made the return trip to depot. This tour took place on Friday 1st March.
Then the big final farewell tour took place the following day, Saturday 2nd March, with an extensive tour of the complete tramway. Starting off from Hopton Road shortly after 1000, 40 ran to Fleetwood three times on the day (including one as far as Fisherman’s Walk where it used the crossover to return south), Starr Gate (once) as well as covering various other crossovers plus rare moves through centre tracks and the usual runs around loops at Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham. All in all an excellent way for enthusiasts to say goodbye to the tram.
40 will now be prepared for departure which is expected in the not too distant future. Of course, it will firstly head to Beamish where it is planned to stay until August (with entry into service in time for the Great North Steam Fair from 11th to 14th April). Following this it will return to Crich where it will join the operational fleet there.
* We are planning on featuring a full gallery of images of Box 40’s farewell tours in a future update of British Trams Online. If you have any images from either day you would like to share please email them to gareth@britishtramsonline.co.uk.
During the Friends of 40 tour on 1st March 40 rounds the curve into Pharos Street as it embarks on its return trip to depot. (Photograph by Keith Chadbourne)
On 2nd March and 40 is prepared for its final trip onto the Blackpool Tramway. It is seen being trollied out of the shed at Rigby Road. (Photograph by David Maxwell)