As extensively reported already on British Trams Online, the second stint of extensive heritage tram operation in Blackpool this year will occur over the forthcoming May Day Bank Holiday weekend, 4th to 6th May inclusive. Highlights of this period will hopefully include the re-launch of Brush Railcoach 631 on Saturday 4th May, subject to completion of its heritage makeover, and the return to service of Balloon car 701 for the first time since 2010 the following day. A full rundown of the provisional schedule of events is provided below.
Following on from the success of the Easter weekend, all of the trams listed below will run as ‘specials’. Two crews will be allocated to genuine heritage cars on each day, whilst two others will take cars from the ‘B Fleet’ of modified double-deckers. Whilst the heritage cars will only be able to load and unload at the usual special stops, the ‘B Fleet’ can use the platforms and will therefore effectively be supplementing the Flexities in normal passenger service. Normal fares will apply on these trams apart from a single run to Fleetwood each afternoon, which will be reserved for passengers who have purchased a heritage tour ticket, as an extra incentive to buy one. This journey will also only call at the ‘heritage’ tram stops, marked by the familiar green polo signs.
As at Easter, both heritage tour cars will also run to Fleetwood Ferry on each day: the first tram listed below will head straight to Fleetwood from depot in the morning, with the second ending its day with a journey to the northern terminus. This builds on the well-received operating patterns tested out at Easter, and hopefully it will prove just as popular second time around.
Naturally all advertised vehicles are subject to change, but the following trams are expected to operate over the long weekend:
Saturday 4th May
Heritage specials: 631 & either 706 or 717 (weather depending)
B Fleet specials: 700 (all day), 719 (AM) & 711 (PM)
Sunday 5th May
Heritage specials: Box 40 or a Boat (weather depending) & 701
B Fleet specials: 707 (all day), 718 (AM) & 713 (PM)
Monday 6th May
Heritage specials: 701 & 631
B Fleet specials: 709 (all day), 724 (AM) & 719 (PM)
Note that on each day, one of the rebuilt Balloons will be swapped over for one of its sisters part way through the day to offer even more variety and value for money. The Balloon which stays out all day will be the one that performs a trip to Fleetwood.
Hopefully this interesting programme will be well supported by tram enthusiasts, and the use of so many different trams will ensure that the weekend is completely different from Easter… and of course, the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May will be different again with even more trams being reactivated!
Brush car 631 at Pleasure Beach in September 2011. This tram will hopefully be back in action on 4th May, when its shabby Walls ice cream advert will have been replaced by a fresh coat of green and cream paint. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)
What time will the modified double deckers run to Fleetwood each day?
This hasn’t been announced anywhere yet, but if we find out it will be posted on this blog. Chances are Bryan Lindop or someone else from BTS will be stationed at Pleasure Beach on the days that the heritage service operates to direct the trams around, so if no more information is given beforehand your best bet is probably to ask on the day.
I came to this website hoping to see a timetable for the balloon trams on the Monday.
I recall seeing a timetable some months ago but now cannot find it… I *thought* that it was on the Blackpool Transport Services website, but if it was it is not now (Thursday 2nd may 2013).
Simon
Following experience of operating the service at Easter it has been decided to run the heritage trams as specials so they can be sent as and when required rather than sticking to a timetable. The only guaranteed journeys are the first and last ones of the day which will continue to run through to Fleetwood.
Will the trams still start and finish their day as per the timetable at Easter?
I’ve just found out on Facebook that the modified Balloons will depart Pleasure Beach at 13:59 for Fleetwood each day.