Over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September all eyes were on the Blackpool Tramway with a weekend of events to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the tramway with it celebrating 136 years of operation in 2021. The weekend would see the return of hop-on, hop-off heritage tours, behind the scenes depot tours at the newly christened Tramtown and withdrawn trams on display on Blundell Street and the depot fan. Read on for a diary article on what happened, starting on Friday 24th September.
Friday 24th September
Whilst not part of the official Anniversary Weekend events there were still heritage trams out and about on this day. As is normal during the illumination period, Friday afternoons sees a single heritage tram run a Coastal Tour (to Fleetwood) and a Promenade Tour (to Little Bispham). On this day the double-decker allocated to these duties was Red and White liveried Balloon 701.
The evening was then busy for heritage trams with not only Illumination Tours running from Pleasure Beach but two further tours operating from North Pier and Tower. Those two additional tours were “The Ghost Tram” and “Fish and Chips Tram” with Balloon Cars 715 and 717 respectively completing these tours. Meanwhile Illumination Tours were in the hands of the Western Train and the Frigate which ran two tours a piece.
Saturday 25th September
Onto the main events over the weekend and a six tram (five for most of the day before an extra tram came out in the mid-afternoon) hop-on, hop-off Gold timetable was in operation. Most of the trips were just turn-up and go although there remained a few which had been pre-bookable but with any spaces available to holders of Heritage Travelcards.
The day’s passenger workings started with Centenary 642 departing from North Pier and Tower just after 1030 with a service to Thornton Gate and during the day it was joined by Boat 227 (a late replacement for fellow Boat Car 600), Brush 621, Balloon 715, Bolton 66 and for two afternoon trips, the Illuminated Frigate. 642 suffered a brake fault in the middle of the day and this led to a trip to Starr Gate being terminated short at Pleasure Beach with the tram being returned to depot and swiftly replaced in service by Balloon 717.
Also out on the Prom – albeit very briefly – was the new-look Balloon 700. Now repainted in Wartime Green and Cream the tram was used for a quick Private Hire in the morning which ran Depot-North Pier and Tower-Depot. A further double-decker out on the Prom was Rebuilt Balloon 707 which was the Shop Tram at North Pier and Tower.
The evening then saw five Illumination Tours run with Balloon 717 and the Frigate running two each and the Western Train one.
Meanwhile, down at Tramtown OMO 8, the Trawler and Engineering Car 754 were displayed on Blundell Street while it was also possible to see Coronation 663, Open Top Balloon 706 and Twin Car 675+685 on the depot fan.
Sunday 26th September
Second day of the weekend and another six tram hop-on, hop-off heritage service was in operation. Unfortunately, the hoped for debut in passenger service for Balloon 700 in its Wartime livery wasn’t possible as it suffered a fault but the day saw Bolton 66, Boat 600 (a replacement in the advertised output for 227, which had replaced 600 the previous day!), Brush 631, Centenary 642, Balloon 701 (the replacement for 700) and the Illuminated Western Train.
Rebuilt Balloon 707 was again the Shop Tram and the same trams were displayed at Tramtown with OMO 8, the Trawler and Engineering Car 754 on Blundell Street and Coronation 663, Open Top Balloon 706 and Twin Car 675+685 on the depot fan.
Onto the evening and there were three trams and six Illumination Tours with the Western Train, Frigate and Balloon 717 all out and about.
- Photographs of the weekend can be viewed in Gallery 974: Blackpool Tramway – Anniversary Weekend September 2021
A scene from the weekend at Bispham where Green and Cream trams meet – Balloon 715 is heading north to Fleetwood and Brush 621 is going to Pleasure Beach. Saturday 25th September. (Photograph by David Harrison)
In its incredibly brief appearance on the mainline here we see Balloon 700 at Central Pier on 25th September. (Photograph by Malcolm Slater)
The weekend also gave the opportunity to see behind the scenes at Rigby Road Depot which included views of the Fylde Transport Trust’s Brush Car 634 which is being repainted into an approximation of its old Coral Island Terror Train advert. We see that tram in the Paint Shop. (Photograph by Steven Hughes)
What is the plan for 737? It has not ran this year is there are plan to use it or is it mothballed like 719? It would make sense to use it when it is wet and the open boats can’t do the tour of the lights. I noticed that a tweet was put out saying that due to weather they could not use the open boats so swapped it for a balloon and said they had 40 extra seats. Would it not make sense to use a smaller tram when this happens?
Are there less tours of illumination tours this year as a result of the pre booking?
Are there plans for the trams that have not been used this year like 680 648? Or are they also mothballed.
If a boat is fully booked 737 has a smaller capacity at 48 so the direct swap wouldn’t work. Plus it gave them extra walk up capacity. The last report of it was being prodded by electricians – its booked out fairly soon in the parade. 648 we know is dead and 680 presumably stored. Far fewer Trams are required to cover the much reduced output currently. Its the worst output for number of illumination tours for many years.
Sadly, even if Trawler 737 is recommissioned there isn’t any work for it with the current booking system. As John rightly says, it has slightly fewer seats than a Boat car – the only scope to use it would be if a Boat was rostered and not fully booked. However, as the nights grow longer and cooler there aren’t many Boat duties left! As an aside, a Coronation would be a wonderful wet weather substitute for a Boat, but sadly none are serviceable.
I do feel that a big part of the problem with Blackpool’s heritage fleet is that the operational trams they have do no suit the demand requirements of the operation. 715 and 717 are being used very extensively whereas trams like 631 – which was only recently repainted – is of no use during the illuminations. Blackpool really needs more high capacity trams and crowd pleasers like 143 and 706! An illuminated Balloon car would be a great boost for lights tours – possibly a use for 720? I know it is part of the B Fleet, but there would still be more chance of it being used in its intended role with lights on than if it sits at the back of the depot being used as a parts donor.
Thanks both. Is that what 720 is being used for now just parts? I have seen a few photos and 717 and 715 are being used. The other balloons are 701 and 723. I have a feeling they are moving away from enthusiasts and focusing more on tourists. Are the lights that were used on 66 years ago still around? Only other trams I can think for that would be suitable would be 66 ,147 and 700. Are people able to walk up again for tours now or is it still pre booking?
What is the fault on 648 sorry if I have missed it.
66s lights are but the advert is out of date so can’t be used. 648 no one knows. 720 has been a Christmas Tree for many years now, which is a shame considering its run very little since refurbishemnt, but its there for the future.