The second event weekend of 2022 in Blackpool took place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May. As we previewed just before the weekend, the Vintage Weekend saw the return of hop-on, hop-off tours on various timetabled journeys between Pleasure Beach and points north whilst there were also bus tours, tours of Rigby Road Depot and evening tours. In this review the photos comes from the first day of the event whilst we also have a quick round-up of which trams made an appearance throughout the rest of the weekend.
Day 1: Saturday 30th April 2022
As with the whole weekend the hop-on hop-off tours saw six trams in service all allocated a lettered diagram for the day. On the first day those six trams were Bolton 66, Boat 600 (instead of sister 227), Brush 631, Centenary 648, Balloon 715 and the Illuminated Frigate.
Tramtown tours were a major feature of the weekend with two taking place on each day. During the tours on Saturday 30th Balloon 703 (still in its guise as Sunderland 101) was on display on the depot fan whilst fellow Balloon 723 was found in the Paint Shop where it is being rubbed down in preparation for a repaint into a yet not revealed livery.
Centenary 648 sits on Pleasure Beach loop ahead of running a service to Thornton Gate.
Always looking stunning is Bolton 66 which is also seen on Pleasure Beach. Its getting ready to operate a service all the way to Fleetwood.
Moving on to Bispham with Balloon 715 and Brush 631 side by side.
The Frigate HMS Blackpool is seen later on in the day at Pleasure Beach. Even though the effects of the lights are lost somewhat in the middle of the day the popularity of the illuminated feature cars always seems to be bear fruit.
To Rigby Road where Balloon 723 is in the Paint Shop. The remnants of the 1980s green and cream fleet livery are clear to be seen.
Recent returnee to Rigby Road Railcoach 279 sits in the main depot building waiting for its restoration work to be completed.
Balloon 703 on the depot fan. (All Photographs by blackpool_trams, 30th April 2022)
- More photographs from this day can be found at https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p820301502
Day 2: Sunday 1st May 2022
The six cars in service on the second day were Brush 621, Centenary 648, Balloon 700, Rebuilt Balloon 707, Balloon 717 (a replacement for Boat 600 due to poor weather) and the Illuminated Trawler (in a relatively rare day in service). In addition Rebuilt Balloon 718 was in use as the Shop Tram at North Pier whilst Brush 631 was out on a Private Hire and the special evening tour saw the Western Train run down to Starr Gate.
Day 3: Monday 2nd May 2022
The final day saw Bolton 66, Boat 600, Brush 631, Centenary 648, Balloon 715 and Balloon 717 start the day off as the six timetabled trams but 66 suffered a fault during the day and Balloon 700 came out to replace it. 648 also suffered a fault and was stationary on the street in Fleetwood for around 25 minutes in the afternoon but was repaired and resumed its journey later. Rebuilt Balloon 718 was again the Shop Tram whilst the Illuminated Frigate 736 was used on the Fleetwood evening tour as a replacement for the advertised Western Train.
- Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours continue to run their regular Promenade and Coastal Tours at weekends and during school holidays. More details at https://blackpoolheritage.com/