Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours 2023 season finally came to an end on Saturday 6th January 2024 with some extra Illumination Tours (thanks to the lights being extended by a further week) having taken place in the first week of the year after which the trams which had been running since the end of September (Balloon Cars 700 and 717 and illuminated featured cars the Western Train and Frigate) started a break which is due to continue into Easter. With the uncertainty surrounding Rigby Road Depot (aka Tramtown) causing further debate an official statement has been released as an update for what plans are.
It was announced in the autumn that Heritage Tram Tours would be taking a break after the Illuminations and this is due to be in place until Easter with the first tours of 2024 (or the 2024 season at any rate) set for 29th March. At the time of that statement it was said that this downtime period would be used to allow for maintenance of the trams to take place. But with Rigby Road Depot remaining closed awaiting survey results and Blackpool Transport reviewing the whole redevelopment of the wider depot complex it remained unclear just what maintenance would be possible.
But now there has been a little more clarity with the latest heritage statement. To avoid anything being missed from that statement this is reproduced in full below:
“The fitting shop will reopen on from Monday 8th January for limited use as we commence work on the vehicles required to operate this season, however no volunteers or contractors will be able to use the fitting shop and the offices located within the fitting shop will be closed until further notice.
“The tram shed will remain closed until we have the results of the conditions survey back, which we are hopeful that we will receive the results soon. Vehicle movements will be restricted and will be undertaken by BTS engineers under a SSOW to allow our engineering team to work on the fleet’s maintenance programme.
“Tramtown volunteers will not be allowed on site until the condition of the Tramshed is established. BTS welcome them to use our meeting facilities when they are available.
“The archives are being moved into a safe and secure location.
“The heritage operations will operate from our Starr Gate Depot for 2024.
“We will continue to attract, recruit and train our heritage operation volunteers.
“The 2024 operating calendar will be announced in due course.
“Application for funding of the restoration of the tram shed and the move to a Tramtown visitor attraction is continuing through the heritage lottery and other funding systems as they arise.
“Work on vehicles that aren’t BTS which require external contractors to come on site will still not be allowed however we will be reviewing this around March once we know where our engineering team are up to with the fleet that is required to support the operation this year.
“Thank you for your continued support!”
The highlights from statement suggests that 2024 is likely to be a “lighter touch” heritage operation with Starr Gate Depot only able to house a limited number of heritage cars whilst the situation with maintenance is also likely to have an impact.
Unsurprising given the “dynamic” dithering on display….
If I had to guess, I reckon the chosen ones will be 700, 717, the Illuminated cars, 66, at least one boat and an enclosed single decker. Not a lot of variety to tempt the enthusiasts.
It would be nice if MTPS could get 680 back at Heaton Park for the duration of the works since I reckon it’s unlikely to be chosen, and perhaps a few of the other operational trams that can’t be accommodated in Starr Gate could go elsewhere as roving ambassadors for the heritage tram tours?
I know it would cost money to move them, but perhaps a donation campaign could make it happen.
Why would the MTPS want to get involved with the future of 680. The Heaton Park Tramway is operated by the Manchester Transport Museum Society (MTMS) and they are the owners of 680.
How much room do you think there is? There are currently 5 (counting train as 2) so I’m guessing 2 balloon, brush, 66, 2 boats. Lumies are not needed on summer.
And why would 680 go back to Heaton Park, we have 5 serviceable cars which is enough for current needs and to give space to work.
Good luck to Tramtown.
Can you imagine what the early days of Crich would be like, if social media was around?
It certainly seems encouraging that the heritage service is still requiring volunteers and that they are likely to have a couple of Balloons available for service from Starr Gate Depot. Of course nothing is certain until the survey report is complete and decisions can be made about Rigby Road Depot. It really is rather a pity that it got into its present state – somewhat disappointing that maintenance was not carried out sufficiently to minimise the decline of the buidling. Now that major renovation will probably be required, this all calls to mind the saying ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.
While this substantial work is awaited and then hopefully in due course completed, I believe that the continued efforts of the volunteers should be supported in terms of patronage of the service provided. Whilst the variety on offer will be slimmed down, this may result in daytime use of some of the illuminated fleet and of course there should be at least two Balloons. Personally, I’d be more than happy to ride the same Balloon cars again and again as they are such wounderful trams as a group – they always bring a great deal of pleasure.