Blackpool Transport have released details of the planned heritage tram service for this Sunday, 23rd June. As expected, this will differ from the previous heritage tram operating days, as the vintage cars will be confined to the Pleasure Beach – North Pier area and operate to a timetable. It is hoped that both of the serviceable Boat cars will be used once again, although the Great British weather may well have other ideas!
The first heritage tram will begin its day with an empty run from the depot to North Pier, departing for Pleasure Beach at 10:39am. The first northbound run is scheduled to set off from the Pleasure Beach loop just after 11:00am. Two trams will then operate a twenty minute service along the promenade until around 1:30pm, when the frequency will reduce to half hourly to allow the crews to take a well-deserved lunch break. In order to add further interest to this day, both cars will return to Rigby Road and once the crews have finished their breaks, they will bring out two different trams, giving a total of four heritage cars in action over the course of the day. At approximately 4:00pm, the twenty minute service is due to resume and will then continue until the last departure of the day from Pleasure Beach at 5:51pm.
Subject to availability and weather, it is planned to use Bolton 66 and prototype Boat car 600 on the early shift, with Boat 230 and ‘Princess Alice’ 706 running in the afternoon. Suitable enclosed cars will be on standby if rain materialises although their identity has not been announced.
As this running day coincides with the annual Totally Transport event on New South Promenade, the decision to restrict the heritage trams to the lucrative ‘Golden Mile’ section seems wise, and hopefully visitors with a more casual interest in transport generally will be tempted to ride on them. Likewise, the use of the more appealing members of the heritage fleet as opposed to cars which are unlikely to hold much appeal outside the core enthusiast market, such as Centenary car 642 and Balloon 723, will hopefully be well received. As this is an extra running day for the old trams, it is also to be hoped that the enthusiasts who have requested more frequent appearances by the cars will support their appearance on this day, as this will give a much stronger argument for an increased number of heritage tram running days in future years.
Heritage tram fares are priced at £10 for a day ticket (including unlimited travel on all other Blackpool Transport tram and bus services), or £2.50 for a return trip between Pleasure Beach and North Pier.
One of the four heritage trams expected to operate on 23rd June, Bolton 66, is seen at North Pier on 25th May. On this occasion the tram was about to head back to the depot following a morning journey to Fleetwood. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)