In Preview: Blackpool August Bank Holiday Gold – including Depot Open Day!

Another Bank Holiday weekend is upon us which can mean only one thing – another action packed weekend of heritage tram action in Blackpool! This time around there is an added bonus as well as on Sunday 25th August there will be the first depot open day ay Rigby Road since 2010 meaning there will be plenty to keep you occupied on both the Prom and at the depot. And with the previously planned events at the Tower Headland having been cancelled there will be no curtailment of the service so it really does look set to be a busy weekend on the Fylde Coast.

The standard Gold timetable will be running on all three days of the weekend (Saturday 24th to Monday 26th August) with six trams scheduled to operate on each day including runs to Fleetwood for all trams plus trams A and D get to do it twice! Sunday 25th August will also see a further tram in service with this allocated to Depot shuttles between North Pier/Tower and Hopton Road whilst all trams will be stopping at a temporary stop at the Foxhall. The depot shuttle will be free to Hopton Road but either a standard heritage travel card or open day admission ticket will be required back to the Prom. Monday 26th will also see an additional tram out with Boat 600 scheduled to run Prom extras.

Talking of those shuttles and they will be running to get you to Rigby Road Depot for the depot open day taking place between 1030 and 1600. Entry will be on Hopton Road with admission prices of £5 for adults, £3 for children and a £12 family ticket – no pre-booking is required all you will need to do is turn up on the day and pay your money! Once inside the depot there will be plenty to do with the following promised:

* Photo opportunities of you at the handles of one of the trams and see what the drivers do

* The chance to turn a tram trolley

* See a stripped tram up close

* Some more unusual trams will be available for inspection with some even open for boarding

* A bit and bobs tactile quiz area of tram parts

* The illuminated trams will be on site for inspection

* Photograph in a bus driving seat

* Vintage vehicles on display

* Vintage buses running on free service linking the depot with the heritage tram service and Blackpool North and South railway stations

* Refreshments

* Sales stands

* Model trams in the depot

All that will be taking place at Rigby Road Depot on Sunday 25th August with the Gold heritage service running on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August.

Subject to the usual availability and weather restrictions, the following trams are scheduled to be running each day:

Saturday 24th August

A –  Balloon 715

B – Bolton 66

C – Balloon 718

D – Boat 227

E – Balloon 701

F – Brush 631

Shop – Balloon 711

Sunday 25th August

A – Brush 621

B – Boat 600

C – Standard 147

D – Centenary 648

E – Balloon 723

F – Balloon 713

Depot – Brush 631

Monday 26th August

A – Balloon 717

B – Boat 227

C – Bolton 66

D – Standard 147

E – Balloon 715

F – Railcoach 680

Shop – Balloon 711

Prom specials – Boat 600

With the weather set fair for the Bank Holiday weekend (I know its unusual!) and with plenty of tram action planned what better reason have you got for heading to Blackpool for what looks like being another interesting weekend on the heritage trams?

* Full details of the weekend – including downloadable timetables – can be found on the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours website.

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