With the addition of some extra running days for Blackpool’s heritage tram fleet, British Trams Online presents a basic guide to all of the planned days when historic tram will grace the tramway for the next few months. Outline plans, as far as are currently known, are also given below.
Sunday 23rd June – Four different heritage trams will be in operation between North Pier and Pleasure Beach, co-inciding with the annual ‘Totally Transport’ event. Two cars will be used initially and both will be swapped for another two at lunchtime, although this will be arranged so at least one should be out for the whole afternoon. Trams to be used are likely to be confirmed during the week ahead.
Saturday 20th July – The Fylde Tramway Society have organised a tour utilising Centenary car 648 and ‘Princess Alice’ 706 (to be replaced by Standard 147 if wet). Both trams should run to Fleetwood at least twice and will start the tour together from North Pier at 12:00pm, before splitting up and operating a timetabled shuttle service. Tickets are available through the FTS website: http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/
Sunday 21st July – The annual Fleetwood Transport Festival will feature two heritage trams (expected to be Boat cars 230 and 600, subject to availability and weather). Both cars will start the day with a trip from North Pier to Fisherman’s Walk, before operating circular tours between Fisherman’s Walk and Thornton Gate for the duration of the event. Two more trams will be on static display in Fleetwood, and at the end of the day all four trams will return to Blackpool in service. Seats on any of these cars will be available to reserve during the event by speaking to the staff on the static trams.
Saturday 24th to Monday 26th August – The familiar heritage tram service returns with at least four different cars expected to operate on each day. Full details will be released closer to the time, but expect the now established mix of ‘specials’, journeys to Fleetwood and hopefully a few surprises!
Tuesday 27th August – The promenade road will be closed to all traffic apart from bicycles during the evening for the ‘Ride the Lights’ event which offers an early preview of the 2013 illuminations. ‘HMS Blackpool’ 736 will operate a tour for the Fylde Tramway Society which will take this tram to Fleetwood for what is expected to be the first time in over four years! This will start from North Pier at 4:30pm. Tickets are available through the FTS website: http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/
Illumination tours will then resume nightly for the 2013 ‘lights’ season. Based on last year, it is unlikely that any tours will operate on switch-on night as part of the tramway is likely to be blocked by the actual switch-on event, so tours should run from 31st August to 10th November. The three illuminated feature cars are expected to dominate the output but these should be supplemented by members of the heritage fleet such as Bolton 66, Standard 147 and Balloon 717 as demand requires.
A further running day may also be arranged when the repaint of Centenary car 648 is completed and if so, this will be announced on this website as soon as details are available.
A glorious view of open Boat car 600 near the Tower during the last stint of heritage tram operation in Blackpool. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)